2026 SPRING CAMP DEEP DIVE THOUGHTS: SEATON, BENEFIELD, WESTON DAVIS, LEAVITT'S ANKLE, LANDEN CLARK'S RPG ARM + MORE

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

-Surprisingly, Weston Davis is featuring as the starting right tackle for the 1st team thus far through Spring camp.

LSU's worst performing offensive lineman was given a surprise nod of approval and stood out as 1 of only 2 main offensive linemen who stayed from Kelly's fall into Kiffin's hire.

The vote of confidence is interesting, but he's subtly backing it up in all available footage....often with help from a tight end or guard.

-Lane Kiffin's call to run Sam Leavitt this early in camp, openly testing his ankle recovery with some RPO keepers, has me a bit worried and a little on edge...however, he's looked completely fine, maybe even ahead of his recovery schedule....

While I'm told by a good source that "there's nothing to fear", I am still hoping they err on the side of caution given the recent injury to Gabe Reliford....

LSU doesn't need another injured starting quarterback.

-Due to Reliford's ACL tear, could Damien Shanklin be an under the radar name to look out for?? Compiling 2 sacks in a single game during very rare snaps last season, Shanklin has already experienced limited success in the purple and gold....now, under DL Coach Sterling Lucas, is the time to take flight.

-Everyone's talking about the ridiculous one handed grab by freshman WR Jabari Mack, reeling in a back shoulder, Moss-esque juggernaut catch over great coverage by CB Aidan Anding.

It was a masterful play that even made ESPN, with many fans and media tipping their hat to Mack as LSU's "young heir to the WRU throne".

Wearing #86, Mack has supplied solid play thus far during Spring Camp, putting himself right in the middle of the pack...

-TE Malachi Thomas is actually receiving large amounts of reps, showcasing his physical blocking, above average pass catching, and overall quality as a more traditional, do-it-all tight end....the kind Lane Kiffin prefers...

-Safety / nickel Ty Benefield is so good...

We just have to start there...

We already knew he could rack up the tackles (107 last season) and affect the backfield with pure chaos (16.5 tackles for loss over the past 2 seasons), but what continues to strike me is how borderline elite his coverage remains day after day....test after test...

Whether Benefield is tracking speed, dealing with brute physicality, upper register aerial battles, or difficult crossing routes over the middle, the former Boise State star has been locking down all comers....it's just another beautiful indication of the kind of player LSU has at the backend.

Even after losing a stupendous freak like AJ Haulcy, Safeties Coach Jake Olsen made damn sure LSU secured their next brickhouse powerhouse safety immediately, without an apparent drop off in talent thus far.

-Left Tackle Jordan Seaton is already a pillar of LSU's offensive setup, immediately buying in and shedding over 20 pounds, as well as dominating excellent competition (such as Princewill Umanmielen) early in camp.

He more than looks the part...

Already a quiet, but stern leader, Seaton can already be seen engaging in one on one direction from Kiffin, taking Weston Davis and Darrin Strey under his wing (among others), and leading through example.

Worth every penny....

-LSU's likely 3rd string QB Landen Clark is blessed with a howitzer for a right arm, impressing me when I went through extensive practice tape of his reps.

Don't just take my word for it, pretty much everyone I've talked to or listened to is praising the young man's work ethic, sharp passing acumen, robust arm talent, and (outside of a couple poor passes) pretty good accuracy.

It's unbelievable looking at the upgrade LSU is undergoing at quarterback...the Tigers now have 3 solid to elite options at the most important position in the game....and after the last few seasons, where, outside of Jayden Daniels and one season with a healthy Nussmeier, LSU had a huge lack of depth at the signal caller spot....remember the 2022 Texas Bowl (where LSU started backup wide receiver Jontre Kirkland as their starting quarterback) or the Tigers' dire position last season, almost having to go 4 deep to our walk-ons (relying on Michael Van Buren burning a red shirt)???

-Davhon Keys is reading the game well so far, refusing to bite on any RPO action or slip screens, never breaking contain, earning a few touch sacks, and mostly looking the part of a SEC starting linebacker.

This is where his experience and playmaking must combine and take the next step....and I think we're watching that unfold right now.

-Injuries.....we will have a bit more on that later as a few more bumps, bruises and breaks start to rear their head amid LSU's most physical spring practices since Coach Orgeron's tenure.

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

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