Brian Kelly disagrees with targeting call against Whit Weeks, implementation of rule

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks was ejected from Saturday’s 20-10 victory over the Florida Gators for targeting. Luckily for the Tigers, it occurred during the opening drive of the game so he won’t miss additional time.

That didn’t stop head coach Brian Kelly from questioning the rule’s language. Weeks was running toward a tackle when he appeared to lower his helmet into the tackle. His helmet caught Florida receiver Vernell Brown III right under the chin. He was removed from the game after a review.

“I think when you become a runner and you duck your head, targeting is not what we’re looking for,” Kelly said. “This is not my call, but I think from a national standpoint, that’s the one area that I’ve always had a problem. When you become a runner and you drop your head, then the crown is susceptible to hitting somebody as a runner.

“If he’s a receiver, if he’s defenseless, if any of those other things come up in targeting, I get it. I just have a hard time with this one.”

Weeks, a preseason first-team All-SEC selection, logged seven tackles through the first two weeks, as well as a half tackle for a loss and a half sack. He did not record any stats against Florida on Saturday.

“I guess they watched it and he must have hit with the top of his head, the crown,” Kelly continued. “If you hit with the crown, then it means targeting so I understand that. I just, philosophically, have a hard time when a guy becomes a runner and he ducks his head. That’s a difficult burden to put on a tackler.”

He’s been a mainstay on the Tigers’ defensive unit since 2023, but had a breakout season in 2024. That season, Weeks totaled 125 stops. That includes 10.0 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, as well as an interception, four passes defended and three pass breakups.

Weeks will be allowed to return to the field for LSU’s Week 4 matchup against SE Louisiana. Kickoff is slated for Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network. Betting odds will be provided by BetMGM.

After that, the Tigers transition back to SEC play against Ole Miss on the road during Week 5. LSU still has matchups against South Carolina, Texas A&M, Alabama and Oklahoma left on its regular season schedule after that.