LSU Football Offers Coveted California Tight End, Arizona State Commit

Brian Kelly and Co. enter the mix for the prized California prospect, currently committed to Arizona State.
Mt. Whitney's Israel Briggs runs against Mission Oak in non-league high school football on Friday, September 13, 2024.
Mt. Whitney's Israel Briggs runs against Mission Oak in non-league high school football on Friday, September 13, 2024. | Ron Holman / Visalia Times-Delta / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Visalia (Calif.) Redwood four-star tight end Israel Briggs has emerged as one of the top prospects on the West Coast following a standout junior campaign for his prep squad.

Briggs, who comes in as a consensus Top-10 tight end in America, has reeled in offers from over 20 programs including the Arizona State Sun Devils, Alabama Crimson Tide, Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins, among several others.

But it's Kenny Dillingham's Arizona State squad that earned the commitment from Briggs in early February after going public with the decision.

The move to commit to Dillingham and Co. is one quickly provided the Sun Devils with an elite weapon, but it hasn't stopped other programs from pursuing Briggs' services.

Now, Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers have entered the mix after extending an offer to the 6-foot-6, 200-pounder out of California on Monday.

He's a Swiss Army Knife that can do it all on the gridiron with Kelly and the Bayou Bengals now entering the mix.

It's a long way out until Briggs is set to put pen to paper with Arizona State and LSU will now look to turn up the heat on the coveted tight end prospect in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.

The Tigers have set the foundation in the 2026 Recruiting Class with a Top-5 group to this point and the No. 1 class in the Southeastern Conference.

Now, it's about building on the class with a critical spring and summer stretch inching closer.

Which commits make up the class to this point?

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.

Anderson is rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in Louisiana and the No. 23 overall prospect in America.

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.

Hall is rated as the No. 4 overall player in Louisiana and a Top-75 prospect in America.

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.

Martinez is rated as the No. 6 overall prospect in Louisiana and a Top-160 prospect in America.

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.

Darby is rated as the No. 7 overall prospect in Louisiana and the No. 2 wide receiver.

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.

The prized prospect is rated as the No. 8 overall player in Louisiana and a Top-200 overall prospect in America.

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:

Three LSU Targets to Know: Louisiana Prospects the Tigers "Must" Land

The Buzz: Latest on the No. 1 Safety in America, Five-Star LSU Target

Prized LSU Commitment '100%' Locked in with the Tigers

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Zack Nagy
ZACH NAGY

Zack Nagy is the Managing Editor and Publisher of LSU Country, a Sports Illustrated Publication. Nagy has covered Tiger Football, Basketball, Baseball and Recruiting, looking to keep readers updated on anything and everything involving LSU athletics. 

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