LSU SPRING 2026 DAY 1 NOTES

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

Day 1 of Spring Camp is already underway after this morning's first session, and there's plenty of details that caught our eye:

-The practices ran at a breakneck speed, running 4 or 5 plays in under a minute (at least measured at one point), according to ESPN 104.5's Chris Marler.

This is exactly the kind of instant change you'd expect to see when Lane Kiffin assumes control of a program.

-LSU Football placed both first team units and second team units running simultaneously on both fields.

-QB Sam Leavitt took part in passing drills, wearing no protective gear, tossing a few sharp looking long distance shots down the field, as well as showcasing a nice underneath distributor's game to the running backs.

Of course, LSU won't be running RPO drills with Leavitt right now or even remotely testing his ankle beyond rudimentary 7 v 7 passing reps. So....how healthy is Leavitt?? Well, you still have to use your feet to pass the ball...and his footwork looked solid, energetic (anything but labored), and he had a sharpness to his command.

-QB Husan Longstreet, LSU's 2nd string QB on roster, took all 1st team snaps, reminding me of Jason Campbell mixed with Trinidad Chambliss. He was vibing with Malachi Thomas through the air on a few intriguing plays, including a no look pass.

-QB Landen Clark impressed a lot of the assembled media with his zip, accuracy and velocity as a passmaster, dealing consistent, driven passes.

-All transplant Ole Miss-LSU assistants (i got to see) had something new and energized to bring to the table, led by LSU RB Coach Kevin Smith. Through available footage, it is obvious Coach Smith was eager to stamp his authority and impact out of the gates, holding down a robust, intense, hands on style of coaching em up.

-Though just a true freshman who arrived on campus in January, defensive tackle Rich Anderson appears to be a colossus in the paint....his physical stature is massive, and dare I say it, if Big Rich was a year older, he would've started for LSU's 2025 defensive line.

-LSU Possess some expanded size and length at receiver:

WR Tre Brown doesn't just look the part as a smooth operating all-around target, he is big....big in a beautiful, aerial assassin manner. This is a guy who stands out, maybe above the rest, it's still too early to tell, but in my view, if given the platform to dominate, Tre Brown is a stacked, jacked and jam-packed powerhouse in the making.

-Roman Mothershed looks like a lengthy, stout prospect, although i have no idea how good he is or could be, he is a mammoth.

-Malik Elzy is another gargantuan receiver for George McDonald's group, developing into quite the long, lanky, but physically powerful wideout.

-Jackson Harris is also a domineering presence, carrying high hopes from his exciting 2025 at Hawaii (just under 1,000 yards receiving and 12 TDs).

-We saw Jakheem Jackson playing plenty at cornerback, but the starting slots still appear to be locked down by DJ Pickett & PJ Woodland.

-We watched Faheem Delane, brother of 2025 DBU Thorpe finalist Mansoor, make a nice break on the ball and bat a pass away, looking like a versatile, hard-nosed part of Corey Raymond's secondary, playing both safety and nickel.

-Head Coach Lane Kiffin said during his press conference: three elite players who stuck out to him thus far?

Jordan Seaton, Ty Benefield, and Trey'Dez Green.

Lane Kiffin: “I had a moment before, just reminding myself of how grateful I am to be here, but also the responsibility level that I have – to LSU, to the people of Louisiana, to the great players that have played here. I don’t not understand that.”

-Whit Weeks will be worked back gradually into the framework, as he finalizes his recovery from last season's lower leg injury.

-Dashawn Spears was with the safeties, not lining up at star.

Safeties Coach Jake Olsen was extremely fired up, demanding the ultimate from the young Tigers in every rep of each drill, keeping the intensity.

Olsen is really beginning to win me over with how he carries himself and delivers the message.

Ty Benefield is definitely going to be a superstar for this team.

-At star, working with DC Blake Baker: Davhon Keys, Zach Weeks, Jake Ibieta lining up at star.

UPDATE: LSUOdyssey sources confirm Keys will play MIC linebacker in 2026. No idea why he was seen standing alongside the rest of the linebackers trying the star position.

-Chris Kiffin led the linebackers unit.

-CJ Jimcoily is a very impressive athletic specimen. He is long, physically imposing, and fueled by a fiery motor that we've only seen scratch the surface....

-LSU's defensive line appears, at least as we saw them today, to be an upgrade over last season's unit...various different profiles in every position and technique skillset across the gaps...true strength, girth, speed, and violence up front....

I would be stunned if this unit doesn't improve upon last season's pitiful 14.5 sacks from the collective defensive line.

-DT Stephiylan Green wasn't out there on the field, at least during Day 1. He was seen in a walking boot & scooter during Pro Day, so we should expect to see very little of Green during Spring camp.

-William Satterwhite is set to be LSU's backup center, initiating snaps with the 2nd team.

-Darrin Strey started with the 2nd team at right guard for Day 1.

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

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