The One Position Group That Will Make or Break LSU's Season

The LSU Tigers' expectations entering the 2026 season will be all over the place, with many wondering how new head coach Lane Kiffin will handle making the move between conference foes and taking over the program in Baton Rouge.

Part of the challenge of success for Kiffin and the rest of the staff lies in figuring out the depth chart, and after welcoming over 50 new faces to the program ahead of the critical first year, there are still question marks surrounding a few rooms.

Much of the offseason focus has been on the quarterback room and the defensive backs, but the running back room could be the real deal-breaker that dictates how the season goes for the Tigers.

New and Improved RB Room Has to Set the Tone

Wisconsin Badgers running back Dilin Jones (7) carries the football during warmups prior to the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Camp Randall Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Tigers have become well-known in the college football world for three reasons: An elite secondary, the best stadium atmosphere, and one of the most effective running games in the country.

Unfortunately for LSU running the ball was a massive struggle last season, and the Tigers finished 122nd in the country with an average of 102.1 rushing yards a game, the second-worst metric in the SEC, and the sixth-worst among Power Four teams.

With Kiffin at the helm now, that number has to change, not just to find more wins on the year, but because Kiffin is a big believer in the running game, and without it, his offense, which is one of the most lethal in the sport, can not work properly without it.

Because of that, the program brought in Dilin Jones, a Wisconsin transfer who rushed for 300 yards and two touchdowns last season before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Now, he comes to Baton Rouge as the expected lead back, with plenty of talented names behind him, such as Harlem Berry and Caden Durham, ready to shoulder the load in the rotation as well.

While, to an extent, the offensive line will also determine the success of the running back, the talent is there this season, with plenty of in-game experience. The scheme will help the room thrive early on, but finding consistent output will be the difference.

The Tigers will have plenty of receivers in 2026, and perhaps the best tight end in the country as well, in Trey'Dez Green, and with Sam Leavitt at quarterback, he is the captain the offense needs to be effective, so it all comes down to the running back room, and if they can't find success, then the whole offense will struggle around them as well.

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