2026 LSU Football Commitments

[LSUDad]

First I’ll start with this, LSU is showing on one of the recruiting sites, only offering 3 players. One from Nola and two from BTR. 
Got a call today from a good friend, LSU has offered more than this number. The 2026 class is loaded, the N. La. Schools have so much talent. They have hit it big with OL and DL. The 26 class, Kelly and staff will have to very selective. I’m talking 4 and 5 star players abundantly and throughout the state. This could be like in the 90’s when LSU helped its roster with N. La. talent. We should pick up players from West Monroe, Neville, Ouachita Christian  and Ruston. 

[LSUDad]

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers have landed a commitment from New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr defensive lineman Richard Anderson, he announced via social media on Friday night. 

Anderson, the No. 7 prospect in Louisiana according to On3 Sports, is fresh off of a visit to Baton Rouge for the Tigers' Friday Night Lights Camp.

While on campus, the 6-foot-4, 320-pounder shut down his recruitment and revealed a commitment to defensive line coach Bo Davis and the LSU program.

It's an impressive pledge for Davis and Co. with the Tigers securing their first commitment of the 2026 cycle while keeping one of the Bayou State's top players home. 

The Edna Karr to LSU pipeline continues with Anderson's pledge. We've seen several talented prospects from one of the top schools in New Orleans take their talents to LSU.

 

[LSUDad]

More:

BREAKING: Class of 2026 DT Richard Anderson commits to LSU

 

By Mike Scarborough

June 21, 2024

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LSU picked up a huge commitment Friday evening as defensive tackle Richard Anderson‍ of New Orleans (La.) Karr announced LSU as his college choice.  

 

 

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Anderson is LSU’s first commitment for the class of 2026.  He chose LSU over Florida, Ole Miss, Texas, Florida State and many others.

“It really felt like home like it was meant to be,” Anderson told TigerBait after a recent visit to LSU. “I really feel like I could be coached by coach Bo Davis.”

[LSUDad]

 

Richard Anderson, Edna Karr

Position: Defensive lineman

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 340 pounds

Ranking: No. 9 in Louisiana (4 star)

Offers: LSU, Alabama, Florida St., USC, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others

Anderson has elite size as an imposing presence in the middle of the Edna Karr defensive line and has begun receiving serious recruiting attention, much like his teammate Aiden Hall. Anderson is the No. 3 defensive lineman in Louisiana in the Class of 2026 and was also a first-team All-Metro selection as a sophomore.

 

 

[LSUDad]

LSU landed a second commitment for its class of 2026 on Saturday. Three-star safety Jakai Anderson announced on social media that he has committed to LSU. Anderson, a New Orleans native, is the No. 34 safety in the nation and the No. 454 prospect in the country, according to 247Sports Composite.

[LSUDad]

LSU landed a second commitment for its class of 2026 on Saturday.

Three-star safety Jakai Anderson announced on social media that he has committed to LSU. Anderson, a New Orleans native, is the No. 34 safety in the nation and the No. 454 prospect in the country, according to 247Sports Composite.

He’s the second prospect for the class of 2026 LSU has landed in the last few days after four-star defensive lineman prospect Richard Anderson committed on Friday.

[LSUDad]

While listed as a safety by 247Sports, Jakai Anderson has worked out as a wide receiver twice at LSU's camp this month. The six-foot-one, 170-pound recruit picked up an offer from LSU last year and camped twice this month. Most recently, Anderson impressed during his unofficial visit to campus for LSU's Friday Night Lights event. After more time around the coaching staff, Anderson felt it was the right time to pull the trigger on his decision. 

Anderson is a two-sport star at McDonogh High School in New Orleans. This past season as a sophomore, Anderson posted an 11.68 time in the 100-yard dash. With his speed and length, Anderson possesses the ability to play both sides of the football field. While he has impressed over the past month at the wide receiver position and is regarded as one of the top pass-catchers in Louisiana's 2026 class, his ability to play defensive back is something that the LSU staff will continue to monitor how development on both sides of the football before penciling him into a specific spot on the field.

Anderson becomes the second commit in the 2026 class, also the second this week, joining Edna Karr (LA) defensive lineman Richard Anderson. The Tigers have placed quite the emphasis on the state of Louisiana here early in the 2026 class.

[LSUDad]

Richard Anderson Karr High School! 
 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2024 by LSUDad

[LSUDad]

BREAKING: 2026 OL Jalan Chapman commits to LSU

 

By Mike Scarborough

July 28, 2024

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LSU offensive line coach Brad Davis continues to stockpile the Tiger football program with top-shelf prospects as class of 2026 interior offensive linemen Jalan Chapman‍ of New Orleans (La.) Warren Easton has announced his commitment.

 

 

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Chapman committed to LSU over offers from Georgia, Arkansas, Oregon and many others.

With his pledge, LSU now has two commitments for the class of 2026.  The other is also from New Orleans in defensive tackle Richard Anderson‍ of Karr.

“It feels amazing,” Chapman told TigerBait last year when he received his scholarship offer from LSU. “It’s not just all about football and it’s about life after football.”

LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson has assisted Brad Davis in recruiting Chapman.

“He was just saying how loves my game my technique and my work ethic,” Chapman said. “He is an amazing coach that most definitely knows what he is talking about, and he just wants you to be better for yourself.”

[LSUDad]

LSU Football Lands Commitment From Top 10 Safety Aiden Hall 

The No. 2 safety in Louisiana is a Tiger, reveals pledge to Brian Kelly and Co. on Saturday.

Zack Nagy | 47 Minutes Ago

 

New Orleans (La.) Edna Karr safety Aiden Hall has committed to Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, he announced via social media on Saturday.

Hall, a Top 10 safety in America, joins a talented 2026 class for the Tigers with LSU now bringing in commitment No. 4.

 

 

All four pledges in LSU's 2026 recruiting class are from the New Orleans area with recruiting guru Frank Wilson continuing to lock down his recruiting sector in the Bayou State.

There's been an impressive Edna Karr to LSU pipeline forming in Baton Rouge with Aaron Anderson and others keeping the tradition alive.

Now, Hall is next in line after announcing his commitment.

For Hall, the 6-foot, 175-pound rising junior has become a hot commodity on the recruiting trail. He chose LSU over a slew of programs, including Ole Miss, Florida State, Georgia and USC, among others.

The double-digit scholarship list is impressive, but for Kelly and the Tigers, they put their foot on the gas to keep one of Louisiana's top prep players in The Boot. 

Now, he's verbally committed to the Tigers, joining Edna Karr teammate Richard Anderson in the 2026 class.

Anderson became the first pledge in the 2026 cycle for the Bayou Bengals after the coveted defensive lineman revealed a commitment in June. 

Anderson, the No. 7 prospect in Louisiana according to On3 Sports, made his decision after a visit to Baton Rouge for the Tigers' Friday Night Lights Camp.

[LSUDad]

 

 

[LSUDad]

BREAKING: 2026 WR Kenny Darby Commits to LSU

 

By Preston Guy

November 12, 2024

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Class of 2026 three-star receiver Kenny Darby‍ has committed to LSU.

The six-foot 175-pound prospect out of Bossier City (LA) Airline makes this decision on the heels of pulling in an offer from LSU on Saturday while on campus for the Alabama game.

Darby caught LSU’s attention with the monster season he’s having at Airline HS leading all receivers in the state with 80 receptions for 1,489 yards and 22 touchdowns. That’s played a major role in Airline’s 10-0 start where it has averaged 55 points per game.

“It’s always been my dream to do this,” Darby told TigerBait.com.  “They have been talking to me since I was committed to Mississippi State. Coaches call me almost every week to ask ‘How’s my family’ or ‘How’s my mom.’ I mean who doesn’t want to commit to a school that cares about your family? They talk to me almost every day and more than any other school on my phone.”

Darby becomes LSU’s fifth commitment and second wide receiver for the class of 2026. He said he had good reasons to join the class early.

“It's important to commit now because it will allow me to secure my spot,” Darby said. “Now I can plan ahead, and focus on my academic and personal growth without worrying about future uncertainties. It's a great way to set myself up for success and start working towards my goals in a structured and dedicated manner. I’ve been waiting on this offer for a while now.”

Darby selected LSU over Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Miami, Tennesee, Ole Miss and more.

[LSUDad]

LSU football landed a verbal commitment Thursday from a defensive lineman recruit in the 2026 freshman class. JaReylan McCoy — a four-star edge rusher slotted just outside the top 100 of 247Sports' composite rankings — announced his decision at the Under Armour All-American game.

[LSUDad]

More on the 2026 Class!

 

 

[LSUDad]

The 2026 Class! 
 

 

[Big T]

On 1/2/2025 at 9:19 PM, LSUDad said:

LSU football landed a verbal commitment Thursday from a defensive lineman recruit in the 2026 freshman class. JaReylan McCoy — a four-star edge rusher slotted just outside the top 100 of 247Sports' composite rankings — announced his decision at the Under Armour All-American game.

Until we didn't, have i mentioned how much I hate recruiting and this new pay for play bs

[Herb]

16 hours ago, Big T said:

Until we didn't, have i mentioned how much I hate recruiting and this new pay for play bs

There's pay for play in recruiting now?

[Hatchertiger]

2 hours ago, Herb said:

There's pay for play in recruiting now?

Quote

A court settlement that would require colleges – for the first time – to pay athletes billions for their play is not going to settle the debate over amateurism in NCAA sports.

Many schools have said that most of the up to $20.5 million they’ll pay out to their athletes as part of the $2.8 billion House settlement would go to football and men’s basketball players. But guidance from the U.S. Department of Education this week noted that the payments could run afoul of Title IX requirements that the genders are treated equally.

https://apnews.com/article/college-athletes-pay-ncaa-521a146cefd7bca535538e7d29e9b0ac

[Hatchertiger]

RIP+ College football is dead.

[Herb]

10 hours ago, Hatchertiger said:

https://apnews.com/article/college-athletes-pay-ncaa-521a146cefd7bca535538e7d29e9b0ac

Sarcasm is sometimes too subtle with me...lol. Note that was said in Jim Mora's"playoffs?" voice.

[LSUDad]

LSU continues to work toward locking down a talented in-state crop of 2026 recruits.

On Thursday, Brysten Martinez, a four-star offensive line prospect from East Ascension in Gonzales, pledged to the Tigers via his Instagram account.

Martinez stands 6-foot-5 and tips the scales at 290 lbs. On3 ranks the four-star as the No. 4 player in a loaded Louisiana class. He’s the 10th ranked tackle nationally.

LSU now holds commitments from five of the state’s top 10 players in 2026. None of the other five have committed anywhere.

[LSUDad]

OL Brysten Martinez out of Gonzales, LA has committed to #LSU.

The 6’5” 290lbs OL from East Ascension HS, chooses the Tigers over #Tennessee, #Georgia, #FSU, #Texas and others.

Martinez is a Top 50 player nationally and is a Top 10 OL prospect in the 2026 class. One of the best in the state commits to the Tigers, and he’s really been all LSU from the jump.

Martinez has been to LSU multiple times, including as recently as Junior Day, and now becomes the 6th commit for the Tigers in their ‘26 class. Another huge commit for LSU and another big time in-state pickup.

2026 Commits: (6)

•4️ DL Richard Anderson (LA)
•4️ S Aiden Hall (LA)
•4️ OL Brysten Martinez (LA)
•4️ WR Kenny Darby (LA)
•4️ WR Jakai Anderson (LA)
•3️ OL Jalan Chapman (LA)

[LSUDad]

 

[LSUDad]

LSU did not sign a scholarship quarterback out of high school in its 2025 recruiting class. The Tigers spent most of the cycle focused on five-star Bryce Underwood, and LSU didn't have many options when Underwood flipped to Michigan.

However, LSU did add Emile Picarella to the roster in a walk-on role.

Picarella hails from University Lab High School in Baton Rouge. He won't have to travel far to make it to LSU. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Picarella is a three-star recruit and the No. 83 ranked quarterback in the class.

LSU needed numbers in the QB room, especially given the uncertain status of Hurley. Picarella gives LSU another competent arm with talent.

[LSUDad]

Picarella isn't the only new addition to LSU's quarterback room. Ju'Juan Johnson is now listed as a quarterback on LSU's roster.

Johnson signed with LSU in 2024. He was originally working with the secondary before moving to running back. Now, another position shift has Johnson with the quarterbacks.

Johnson is back at the position he played in high school, where he was one of the most productive players in Louisiana High School Football history.

It's not clear if this is a long-term move or if LSU will use Johnson in special packages this year.