LSU is set to host elite prospects for Saturday night’s SEC showdown with Florida as Brian Kelly and the Tigers put the finishing touches on a talented 2026 class while getting ahead in 2027 and beyond.



Rivals has the latest news, notes and buzz.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elite-2026-targets-to-watch-for-baton-rouge-this-weekend">Elite 2026 targets to watch for Baton Rouge this weekend</h2>



LSU has the Rivals Industry’s No. 11 ranked recruiting class headlined by the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in five-star defensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/lamar-brown-155377/">Lamar Brown</a>, the nation’s No. 2 defensive tackle <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/richard-anderson-175348/">Richard Anderson</a> and edge rusher <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/trenton-henderson-180659/">Trenton Henderson</a>. All three are expected back alongside most of this terrific Tigers class.



But the LSU staff is on the gas for a few more top targets in the 2026 cycle and two are names to watch heading into the weekend.



The nation’s No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 6 prospect overall in <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/immanuel-iheanacho-236385/">Immanuel Iheanacho</a> is someone LSU will never stop recruiting. Iheanacho has committed to Oregon but continues to communicate with a few of his other suitors. LSU is one he’s always been high on and for a lot of his process considered the biggest threat to the Ducks.



Rivals No. 3 running back in Texas A&M commit <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/kj-edwards-162061/">KJ Edwards</a> is another the Tigers continue to push for. He had a great official visit in June.



“It was great time in Death Valley and the staff flooded me and my family with genuine love the whole weekend and Coach Frank and Coach Kelly telling me I’m the only running back they’re recruiting in the nation and that should speak volumes on how bad they really want me and the impact I will make on the team since I can catch the ball, run it, and I’m a third down back so I can do it all and that’s how they picture me in their program.



“Relationship is something I’m big on and although LSU came late they have been making up the best they can and showing the love to the family.”



Arkansas landed Theodore (Ala.) High Rivals300 linebacker <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/jj-bush-239649/">JJ Bush</a> in early July but LSU looked like the favorite for much of his process and they get him back to campus. Bush was at Mississippi State last weekend.



Don’t be surprised if this list or prospects committed elsewhere grows closer to kickoff.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-weekend-at-the-quarterback-position">Big weekend at the quarterback position</h2>



LSU will host three of their top targets in the 2027 cycle as Kelly, offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and the staff look to keep moving up their respective lists.



The Rivals Prediction Machine already favors LSU for Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus Rivals300 quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/colton-nussmeier-239908/">Colton Nussmeier</a> as they battle Alabama, Georgia and Florida.



The Tigers are working to make a move on Oklahoma for Evangel Christian Academy (La.) quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/peyton-houston-154854/">Peyton Houston</a> ahead of his return visit. Houston was in Norman this past weekend and will announce his commitment this coming Monday. USC is also in play.



Florida trended on the Rivals Prediction Machine for Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham School quarterback <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/elijah-haven-236006/">Elijah Haven</a> coming into the season. LSU has always been one of his favorites and Alabama is also heavily involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-elite-2027-in-state-recruits-expected">More elite 2027 in-state recruits expected</h2>



The two in-state five-stars will be in Death Valley in top-ranked tight end <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/ahmad-hudson-237557/">Ahmad Hudson</a> and the nation’s No. 2 receiver <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/easton-royal-243862/">Easton Royal</a>. I love my prediction in favor of the Tigers for Hudson and LSU has a great chance to land Royal as well.



“The thing that fires me up is LSU is always knowing they produce good wide receivers so it’s a blessing to be wanted to be a part of that legacy,” Royal said. “The thing that makes them a potential fit is the way the love to take 1-on-1 with their receivers.”



We like where LSU stands for New Iberia (La.) Catholic four-star safety <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/karon-eugene-250287/">Karon Eugene</a> and with that Shea Dixon, Sam Spiegelman and I have logged predictions in favor of the Tigers. Continue to like where LSU sits with four-star defensive back <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/jayden-anding-244162/">Jayden Anding</a> as well.



I’ve joined Spiegelman in predicting playmaker Javon Vital Jr. to the Tigers as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lsu-in-the-lead-group-for-several-touted-juniors">LSU in the lead group for several touted juniors</h2>



The top-rated prospect that will be in Baton Rouge is the nation’s No. 1 defensive lineman and No. 6 player overall <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/jalen-brewster-242708/">Jalen Brewster</a>. 



“We’re just taking it in, taking it day by day,” Brewster’s father Robert said. “That’s the main focus is him focusing on the season. These are extra perks getting to go to the game but right now he’s focusing on getting his craft better so he can be a better player.”



Other touted 2027s include the nation’s No. 2 linebacker <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/kaden-henderson-240067/">Kaden Henderson</a>, the nation’s No. 8 edge <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/derwin-fields-250409/">Derwin Fields</a>, the No. 12 tight end <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/anthony-cartwright-iii-238202/">Anthony Cartwright</a> and the No. 13 receiver in the country <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/julian-caldwell-242398/">Julian Caldwell</a>.



More highly-recruited players include defensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/amari-vickerson-242237/">Amari Vickerson</a>, linebacker <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/jake-godfree-239758/">Jake Godfree</a> and four-star offensive lineman <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/limarcus-jones-246678/">Li’Marcus Jones</a>.



Rivals No. 1 2028 linebacker <a href="https://www.on3.com/rivals/deshawn-simmons-259736/">Deshawn Simmons</a> is the headliner among the sophomores.

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