LSU coach Lane Kiffin embarked on an exhaustive roster overhaul after being appointed Brian Kelly’s successor in November 2025. The Tigers moved aggressively after losing 34 players, bringing in an additional 40 via the transfer portal in January as Kiffin flipped the roster that finished with a 7-6 record.
Lane Kiffin’s Defensive Prediction for LSU Proven Right
Kiffin has indicated the difficulty of integrating the new players into their new environment as he aims to build a cohesive unit ahead of a pivotal first season in charge of the SEC powerhouse.
After Thursday’s spring practice session, WBRZ-TV’s Michael Cauble reported on X that sophomore safety Tamarcus Cooley picked off quarterback Landen Clark, leading to wild celebrations among the defensive players and coaches at LSU’s facilities.
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Clark, who transferred to LSU from the Elon Phoenix, has been taking the first-team reps during spring practice due to talented quarterback Sam Leavitt’s limited participation after undergoing a season-ending surgery last year. Meanwhile, former USC Trojans prospect Husan Longstreet has been taking the reps with the twos.
While speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s spring practice session, Kiffin elevated the defense’s preparedness over the offense so far, citing superior returning numbers on that side of the ball.
“There’s a lot of work to do,” Kiffin said. “If we were to play today, which we’re not, we’d be a defensive football team. That system has been in place. A lot of those players returned comparable to the offense. We’re always going to look different every year based off our players. I’m never going to say, ‘This is just what we do.’
“We may put together teams that win in different styles and we’ve done that before. If we were to play right now, we’d play to our defense until the offense comes along. We’re not playing right now.”
Kiffin fought to retain the services of defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who was a prime candidate for the vacant Tulane Green Wave job after Jon Sumrall took the Florida Gators job.
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In addition, Kiffin sought to replace safeties coach Jake Olsen, who joined the Washington Commanders, while retaining defensive backs coach Corey Raymond on his staff to bolster the defense’s improvement last season.
Despite their inconsistent form, which culminated in former coach Brian Kelly’s firing in October 2025, the Tigers earned a PFSN College Defense Impact score of 84.6, good for No. 6 in the SEC.
