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LSU LB Whit Weeks ready for challenge of stopping DJ Lagway

On3 imageby: Matthew Brune10 hours agoMatthewBrune_
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© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Through two games, LSU’s defense has lived up to the billing. The domination against Clemson and Louisiana Tech through eight quarters of football has been a breath of fresh air for a program that was desperate to return to its glory days of playing quality football on defense.

At the heart of that is linebacker Whit Weeks with his speed and infectious energy. Coming into the year as a preseason All-American, Weeks had to do everything last year on a defense still finding its identity. This season, however, he’s had a help, and the result is an elite unit.

Next up for Weeks and LSU is Florida, the first SEC game of the year, in Death Valley on Saturday night. The Gators feature one of the most talented quarterbacks in the nation in DJ Lagway, a former five-star prospect looking to put it all together after a rough outing in Week 2.

“One, he’s hard to get on the ground,” Weeks said. “So whenever we get back there, we have to wrap up and bring him down because he’s a big dude. And he can sling it, he can throw the ball all over the field. In my opinion, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the country, so we’re going to have to get after him.”

Lagway, in two games this year, has completed 38-of-51 passing for 342 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. In 2024 as a true freshman, he had 12 touchdowns to nine interceptions with 1,915 yards, giving him valuable experience in the SEC.

This year, he’s aided by running back Jadan Baugh and talented receivers incuding Eugene Wilson, Vernell Brown, and J.Michael Sturdivant.

“I think they’re talented,” Weeks said. “They’ve got receivers, their offensive line is huge and fast. It’s going to be a battle for sure. We know what happened to them last week, so they’re going to come into this game ten times more hungry. We know the opponent we’re about to face.”

The Gators’ “hunger” is fueled by a 18-16 loss to USF at home in Week 2, putting their backs against the wall early in terms of saving this season. Now, LSU is tasked with being the one to further put their season on the brink, facing a desperate opponent Saturday night.

Fortunately LSU has shown the talent, the tackling, and the discipline to be one of the best defenses in the country and now as Lagway and his talented group come to Baton Rouge, they have to continue to stay consistent at the highest level.

“I think it’s all the buy-in from the guys,” Weeks said. “We’ve got a lot more than 11 dudes playing really good defense right now. We’re all buying into Coach Baker’s culture — flying around, having fun, making havoc plays.

“Our mindset, like Coach Kelly says, is to go 1-0 every single day — Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. We’re not worried about the past. We’re focused on where our feet are right now.”

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