LSU Tigers Football Commit Surges to No. 1 Defensive Line Prospect in America

New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr four-star defensive lineman Richard Anderson continues working through a critical offseason in the Bayou State prior to his senior campaign in 2025.

Anderson, the No. 1 rated player in Louisiana, showcased his talent in the trenches with a big-time performance in the title game after capping off his junior campaign with a state championship in the Caesars SuperDome.

The LSU commitment has been loyal to his pledge to the program after going public with a decision in June, but it hasn't stopped the "Who's Who" of college football from turning up the heat.

Anderson holds offers from the likes of Oregon, Ole Miss, USC and Florida State, among several others, as his recruitment takes off.

The Louisiana star is coming off of a dominant overall junior season for his Edna Karr Cougars squad while becoming the heartbeat of the team's defense.

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.

Now, after a critical season with the top programs in America swinging for the fences in his recruitment, LSU isn't letting up.

Despite LSU defensive line coach Bo Davis electing to join the New Orleans Saints staff this offseason, Anderson remains committed to the program.

The Tigers went out and hired former LSU star Kyle Williams to take over as the program's defensive line coach moving forward.

"I'm still committed, baby! Let's get it," Anderson told Rivals Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman in March.

NOT GOING ANYWHERE 🐅

LSU commit and 4 ⭐️ DT Richard Anderson confirms his commitment. pic.twitter.com/fLyIo5nANa
— Rivals (@Rivals) March 9, 2025

Now, he's seeing his recruiting ranking skyrocket after moving up to the nation's No. 1 defensive line prospect, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

Anderson is the heartbeat of LSU's 2026 Recruiting Class that continues stacking elite-level talent.

Which prospects make up LSU's No. 1 Recruiting Class in America?

The Quick Hits: LSU's 2026 Commitments [9]:

Tristen Keys: No. 1 WR in America

Kelly and the LSU Tigers gained a commitment from Keys, the top-ranked wideout in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle, after revealing a decision on Wednesday.

The coveted prospect is coming off of an impressive junior campaign where led his Hattiesburg High School squad to a 13-1 record in 2024 after logging 58 receptions for 1,275 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

Keys is rated as the No. 1 wide receiver and a consensus five-star prospect with LSU locking down the program-changing recruit.

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.

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

Jabari Mack: No. 1 WR in Louisiana

Mack, the No. 1 rated wideout in Louisiana, is ranked as a Top-10 receiver in America with Kelly's crew winning out for his services.

“A big part of it for LSU is that stay-home mentality,” Mack told On3 Sports in February. “I hear that a lot from the coaches. I am always hearing from coach (Cortez) Hankton, Coach (Joe) Sloan and Coach (Frank) Wilson (III). The staff is cool, and I like Coach Hankton a lot because he keeps it real.

"He develops receivers too. LSU is easy for me to get to, and I like the environment up there. It feels crazy on game day. My family would get the chance to see me play, and I’d be with guys I already have a brotherhood with.”

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.

Dylan Purter: No. 2 Rated Defensive Back in Alabama

Purter, the No. 2 rated defensive back in Alabama, chose the Bayou Bengals over the likes of the Crimson Tide, Florida Gators and the Arkansas Razorbacks, among others.

A 6-foot-1, 175-pounder with tremendous versatility in the defensive backfield, Purter can cover as both a cornerback and safety at the next level.

It's a significant get for Kelly and Co. with the program locking down one of the top players in Alabama with Purter rated as a Top-10 overall recruit in his home-state, according to On3 Sports.

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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