Five-Star LSU Football Target, No. 1 Player in America Shuts Down Recruitment

Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy five-star edge rusher Zion Elee continues a meteoric rise up the recruiting rankings after coming in as the No. 1 player in the 2026 Recruiting Class.

Elee, a coveted recruit with the "Who's Who" of college football extending scholarship offers, has America's attention as the top prospect in America.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is a versatile piece defensively where he can be used as both an edge rusher and linebacker with elite-level traits.

Despite holding offers from the likes of Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon and more, Elee elected to reveal a commitment to the hometown Maryland Terrapins in December of 2024.

It was a move that sent shockwaves across the college football recruiting scene with the Big Ten program locking in the nation's top talent.

But it hasn't stopped SEC schools and other top programs from pursuing the crowned jewel of the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.

In January, the LSU Tigers entered the mix after extending a scholarship offer to Elee.

Elee has surpassed 30 total Division I offers with LSU being the most recent school to extend a scholarship his way.

He had visits set with other programs, including the Auburn Tigers, despite being committed to the Terrapins and will be a player schools keep close tabs on down the stretch of his recruitment.

But now, he's changed pace in his recruitment. Elee has canceled visits to Auburn, South Carolina and more after officially shutting down his process and remaining loyal to the hometown Terrapins.

Locked https://t.co/K6WdZsZHk8
— Zion Elee (@D1zion26) February 21, 2025

Elee attends St. Frances Academy in Maryland where he joins a pair of teammates committed to the hometown Terrapins: Tight end Damon Hall and cornerback Khmari Bing.

LSU currently holds the No. 3 Recruiting Class in America and the No. 1 class in the Southeastern Conference.

The Quick Hits: LSU's 2026 Commitments [6]:

Richard Anderson: No. 2 DL in America

Richard pledged to the Tigers in 2024 with the program continuing to keep a foot on the gas for his services. He's fresh off of a monster junior campaign at Edna Karr after leading his program to a state championship victory.

The coveted lineman earned 5A All-State honors after tallying 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, two interceptions and a touchdown in 2024. He's the top pledge in LSU's 2026 Recruiting Class to this point.

Aiden Hall: No. 4 Safety in America

Hall committed to Kelly and Co. during his junior campaign where he joined his teammate, Richard Anderson, as LSU pledges in the 2026 class.

The coveted defensive back rounded out his junior season with 38 tackles, including 12 for loss and four sacks, plus four interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, four blocked punts and two fumble recoveries. One of the top safeties in America, LSU will be battling down the stretch for his services.

Brysten Martinez: 4-star Offensive Tackle

Gonzales (La.) East Ascension four-star offensive tackle Brysten Martinez has verbally committed to Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, he announced on Feb. 13. He is rated as the No. 8 rated offensive tackle in America and is a Top-75 overall prospect in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder selected the Tigers over a myriad of SEC programs including the Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas A&M Aggies and Georgia Bulldogs, among several others.

Kenny Darby: 4-star Wide Receiver

Darby is fresh off of a junior campaign where he landed on the 5A All-State team after logging 100 receptions for 1,764 yards and 24 scores. One of the most prolific receivers in Louisiana, Darby is a player the program remains high on heading into his senior season.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder is a speedy, twitchy wideout that burst on the scene in 2024 with LSU extending an offer. Darby wasted no time in pledging to the program.

Jakai Anderson: 4-star Wide Receiver

Anderson is another elite-level wide receiver out of Louisiana who recently earned 4A All-State honors after an impressive junior season. He logged 57 catches for 972 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season, but a Swiss Army Knife that does it all. Anderson also rushed for 151 yards and four scores on 16 carries.

Jalan Chapman: Coveted Offensive Lineman

Chapman, a three-star prospect out of New Orleans (La.), pledged to the Tigers last summer over Alabama, USC, Georgia and Tennessee, among others.

He currently stands at 6-foot-3, 270 pounds following his junior year for New Orleans (La.) Warren Easton High after gaining national attention following his sophomore campaign in 2023.

More LSU News:

The Breakdown: LSU Football Holds No. 1 Recruiting Class in the SEC

LSU Football "Firmly in the Mix" for Coveted Oregon Ducks Quarterback Commitment

Three Observations From LSU Baseball's Opening Weekend Sweep

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