TOP 5 TIGERS LSU MUST RETAIN IN 2026 (PT.I)

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

After a wild November of uncertainty, LSU have their president, athletic director, and now a new Head Coach at the helm, with a bright season ahead if Lane Kiffin, AD Verge Ausberry, and GM Billy Glasscock, among others, can iron out the wrinkles of their 2026 roster.

The below list (in no order) won't include some obvious names of guys who've either already announced their return, are not Draft eligible, or unable / expected to transfer (examples: Gabe Reliford, PJ Woodland, Harlem Berry, Caden Durham, Dashawn Spears).

5.HAROLD PERKINS

Should he make this list???

Will he even be available for LSU in 2026???

Could Perkins perhaps find his way in the portal or the NFL Draft?

Either way, leading the team in sacks, tied for the lead in TFLs, and tied for 1st concerning interceptions, Harold Perkins must be a major topic of conversation.

Can Blake Baker solve the Harold Perkins Rubic's Cube???

Even if the answer is "no", even if Baker declines to build his defense around the Tigers' #7, Perkins was still an overall asset...the question is, will he play college football in 2026 at LSU, elsewhere or will Harold find himself declaring for the NFL Draft?

Either way, I include him as one of the 10 Tigers Lane Kiffin should retain.

4.TAMARCUS COOLEY

Cooley arrived from NC State last winter and immediately sealed one of LSU's two starting safety positions, alongside fellow transfer AJ Haulcy.

At a spot where LSU has endured endless troubles, Cooley became one of the highest rated and most productive safeties since Grant Delpit, Jacoby Stevens & Kary Vincent left the program.

Picking off 2 passes, wrapping up the 4th most tackles (60), 1.5 tackles for loss during some blitzing action, and breaking up 2 passes, Cooley took the right angles on most plays, prevented large gains, was rarely beaten over the top in the passing game, and formed a tried and true partnership with AJ Haulcy, becoming the savage establishment / solidified canvas from where Blake Baker could let his hounds loose....dialing up exotic pressure packages with Whit Weeks & Harold Perkins, in large part due to the reliability of Cooley and Haulcy at the backend.

Despite allowing 3 touchdown catches (the most of any Tiger defender) and getting picked on in coverage more often than not, Cooley will get better under Jake Olsen, Corey Raymond and safety specialst analyst Lance Guidry's consistent coaching leadership at LSU.

3.WHIT WEEKS

This young man doesn't need much introduction or ranting or raving....

Whit Weeks is without question one of, if not the best linebacker in college football...when he is available, which he sadly wasn't throughout 5 critical games for the Tigers.

Though he has 1 more season of eligibility left in the tank, plus his favored defensive coordinator Blake Baker will return for 2026, plus his girlfriend's father is the new Head Coach, some wonder if Weeks will declare for the NFL Draft.

I believe he has every incentive to stay another season at LSU, but that will depend on Whit and what he wants.

2.JU'JUAN JOHNSON

One of the more versatile Tigers among LSU's entire roster, Ju’Juan Johnson has moved from defensive back, quarterback, before finally adding extra legs to the running back room in 2025, always adding athleticism and value to any department he moves to (Johnson then moved back to the QB room following Nussmeier's injuries and Colin Hurley's departure mid-season for "personal reasons").

I can see Ju'Juan Johnson entering the transfer portal, annoyed with being shuffled around, wanting to play quarterback or at least have a main shot at playing significant reps.

In a lot of ways, his versatility has become a curse, making him a depth option, too often.

Receiving the football on 55 plays, 38 rushes and 17 catches for 223 overall yards, 2 rushing TDs, and completing 1 pass for 14 yards,

1.DAVHON KEYS

In a supporting role (until Whit Weeks remained sidelined due to a broken bone in his ankle), Davhon Keys racked up 78 tackles (2nd on the team), 3 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, 1 PBU and 1 forced fumble, proving to be a major tackling asset for the Tigers.

While he needs to grow in certain areas of his game, Keys was consistently getting opponents on the ground, minimizing gains, and showing up in big moments.

Yes, when Keys started against A&M and Vanderbilt, the entire defense was exposed without the speed and leadership of Whit Weeks, however, without a strong, potentially elite depth option (who may just be capable of starting alongside Weeks in 2026, LSU's defense would've never been able to keep their team in as many games.

We also know Blake Baker is a believer in Keys, not only making a case for retention, but possible promotion.

TO BE CONTINUED...

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

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