Skip to main content
LSU

Gameday Reports: Who's starting in place of AJ Haulcy?

On3 imageby: Matthew Brune08/30/25MatthewBrune_
Dashawn Spears LSU
Dashawn Spears LSU

LSU was hit with an unexpected suspension on Thursday night when senior safety AJ Haulcy was ruled out of the first half of the season opening game against Clemson due to a fighting ejection. Haulcy had been the starting safety throughout fall camp and now is going to have to miss the first 30 minutes of the game.

“In the last game of the 2024 season, A.J. Haulcy was ejected from the contest, initially listed as unsportsmanlike conduct but clarified postgame that game officials ejected the player for fighting,” the NCAA said to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “Fighting carries an automatic carryover penalty.”

Who starts in his place? The LSU safety room has adequate depth, including returners Javien Toviano, Jardin Gilbert, and Dashawn Spears, all of which have had their turns playing safety in fall camp.

On the depth chart before the game, Jardin Gilbert is the next strong safety listed.

About an hour and a half before kickoff, Gordy Rush of LSU Sports Radio Network reported that Jardin Gilbert will start in place of Haulcy.

Gilbert ended the 2024 season as the fourth leading tackler, with 55 tackles, but in camp was seemingly passed up on the depth chart and eventually moved to STAR to backup Harold Perkins. Now, he’s back at safety and looking to hold it down for a half against a top five team on the road.

Spears appeared in 13 games and started three, while recording 24 tackles and one pass break up. He was a highly touted prospect in the 2024 class and remains one of the Tigers’ most promising defensive back prospects.

Toviano played in all 13 games last year, finishing with 12 tackles in limited reps after playing a significant role in 2023. He moved back to safety this offseason full-time but the LSU staff added a pair of high-level transfers to start in 2025.

Haulcy was a All Big-12 First Team selection out of Houston last year and is a big part to the Tigers’ revamped secondary. However, Kelly has talked about what makes this team different is their depth.

“Dashawn Spears has played a lot of football for us. Jardin Gilbert and Javien Toviano as well. We’ve got pretty good depth. We feel really good about our defensive backfield. We’re dealing with this the same way you guys are, waiting on information. Once we get it we’ll adjust accordingly and be ready to play Clemson.”

LSU and Clemson are set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, August 30 on ABC. LSU is a four-point underdog on the road, but looks to snap the losing streak of season openers and get the 2025 season started on the right foot with a bevy of new transfers and quality top-end talent.

You may also like