Lane Kiffin takes over as LSU head coach in 2026, with Charlie Weis Jr. following him from Ole Miss as offensive coordinator. At quarterback, Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt takes over as the starter after missing the latter portion of the 2025 season with an injury. In the backfield, Caden Durham and Harlem Berry return at running back, while Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones joins the group and has emerged as a leading option in the rotation. LSU must replace its top two receivers from last season, Barion Brown and Zavion Thomas, after they left for the NFL. Tight end Trey’Dez Green returns, and Kansas State transfer Jayce Brown joins the receiving corps with 115 career receptions. Update (Oct. 13): TE Trey’Dez Green suffered a knee ligament injury in September and is expected to miss the rest of October, with a possible return in November. Ole Miss transfer Winston Watkins and Hawai’i transfer Jackson Harris also join the group. Update (Oct. 13): WR Phillip Wright III will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with an injury. Up front, the offensive line returns full-time starters Braelin Moore and Weston Davis after making 12 and 10 starts, respectively. Maryland transfer Aliou Bah joins the group after 12 starts last season, while Colorado transfer Jordan Seaton arrives after 9.

Blake Baker enters his third season as defensive coordinator. LSU returns five of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including leading tackler Davhon Keys, while three of its top five tacklers have departed. At linebacker, Keys and Whit Weeks return, with Weeks entering 2026 with 205 career tackles. Update (Sept. 30): LB Whit Weeks suffered a fractured right fibula against Texas A&M and will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery. Ole Miss transfer T.J. Dottery joins the linebacker group with 177 career tackles. Update (Oct. 13): LB Charles Ross II will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with an injury. Up front, LSU features a rebuilt defensive front as Auburn transfer Malik Blocton joins the group after making eight starts last season and Clemson transfer Stephiylan Green arrives after making six. Ole Miss transfer Prince Umanmielen also joins the group after one start, while freshmen Lamar Brown and Deuce Geralds add depth along the defensive line. In the secondary, Tamarcus Cooley, P.J. Woodland, and D.J. Pickett return, giving LSU three returning top eleven tacklers. Update (Oct. 13): S Dashawn Spears will miss the remainder of the 2026 season with an injury.

Joe Houston takes over as special teams coordinator. Arkansas transfer Scott Starzyk joins the program at placekicker, while Grant Chadwick returns at punter. LSU also features new primary returners after the departures of Barion Brown and Zavion Thomas.

Overall, LSU enters 2026 with a new head coach and quarterback while returning established experience at linebacker, in the secondary, and along the offensive line. Dilin Jones has emerged as an important contributor in the backfield, but injuries have created additional challenges on both sides of the ball. Green’s extended absence hurts the passing game, while the loss of Weeks and several other defenders puts more pressure on LSU’s remaining defensive contributors.