LSU's first 12 in-state offers to 2026 prospects

LSU is off to the races with a strong start to its 2026 recruiting class, built on a foundation of homegrown talent.   The Tigers have extended 12 offers to in-state prospects thus far and already landed six commitments, ranging from last summer to this past week.   Here's a look at some of Louisiana's top rising seniors who have already been prioritized by the home-state SEC program.     COMMITTED   [player_tooltip player_id='920613' first='Jakai' last='Anderson'] — 6-0, 160 WR — McDonogh 35   The electric three-phase playmaker was one of two New Orleans prospects to commit last summer during the program's Friday Night Lights weekend, making his announced June 22, 2024. Anderson earned Class 4A all-state honors in the fall as nearly a 1,000-yard receiver with more than 17 yards per catch and a touchdown every 3.4 receptions — plus more than 500 combined return yards, including four punts and three kickoffs returned for scores.   [player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 320 DL — Edna Karr   The first Louisiana prospect of the 2026 class to announce his college commitment July 21, 2024, while on LSU's campus for the Friday Night Lights event. And few, if any, players in the state and in the class stood out more than "Big Rich" in the fall, particularly deep in the playoffs, as he proved dominant in his Cougars' title run and earned Class 5A all-state recognition in December. Anderson's combination of size, explosiveness and quickness is elite and helps make him a disruptive presence inside against both the run and the pass.   [player_tooltip player_id='401967' first='Jalan' last='Chapman'] — 6-4, 285 OL — Warren Easton   The Tigers' landed Chapman late last summer as the Eagles' standout shared his pledge July 28, 2024. The versatile, powerful blocker has been among the state's top-ranked offensive linemen, recruited by a slew of Power Four programs from coast to coast, throughout his high school career. While he is considered likely to project to the interior at the next level, Chapman has shown the ability to play all over the line.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237613' first='Kenny' last='Darby'] — 6-1, 175 WR — Airline   The Vikings' standout showed big-play flashes as a sophomore before an injury shortened his season, then returned as the state's most prolific pass-catcher as a junior this fall with 100 catches for 1,764 yards and 24 scores. Darby is a speedy, crafty route-runner capable of creating space at every level of the field and a highly effective playmaker with the ball in the air with his combination of timing, quick leap, athleticism and strong hands to consistently win in contested-catch situations. He received his LSU offer Nov. 9, 2024, and announced his commitment three days later on Nov. 12.   [player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 185 DB — Edna Karr   Like his teammate "Big Rich," Hall has been among the stars of Louisiana's 2026 class from early on in their high school careers, including their LSU offers on the heels of their freshman season. Hall announced his commitment Aug. 3, 2024, to add to the home-state Tigers' class one of the nation's top safeties — a rangy, hard-hitting safety who flies around the field sideline to sideline and has proven himself effective as a ballhawk and enforcer in both coverage and run support.   [player_tooltip player_id='740981' first='Brysten' last='Martinez'] — 6-6, 290 OL — East Ascension   The Tigers' latest commitment hit closest to home as the nearby blocker from Gonzales, just across the parish line in Ascension Parish, locked into the class last week on Feb. 13. Martinez is a big, athletic tackle prospect considered among the best in the nation with his prototypical frame, tenacity and impressive mobility at his size. He chose nearby LSU over a slew of other options around the country.     OFFERS   [player_tooltip player_id='401954' first='Dylan' last='Berymon'] — 6-3, 305 DT — Ouachita Parish   The Lions' star appears to be one of Louisiana's most intriguing 2026 prospects to watch his recruiting process unfold in the coming months. LSU was among his slew of early offers during 2024, and he has made several trips to Baton Rouge. But his decision to skip the Tigers' recent junior day to instead visit Mississippi State and the apparent ramp up in push from Texas, Texas A&M and others have been cause for some question whether he could ultimately head out of state. Berymon is a big-bodied, explosive, powerful and quick prospect who showed the strength and motor to still generate push against double teams he faced inside and the athleticism to bounce outside and compound opponents' headaches with his versatility.   [player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford'] — 6-1, 205 DB — Catholic (Baton Rouge)   The hard-hitting safety from just a few miles from campus was one of LSU's first offers for the 2026 class early on in his freshman season, and the Tigers have remained at the forefront of his recruitment throughout with Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, Oregon and Alabama among the other most notable contenders. Bradford is built like a linebacker and plays with that mentality as a tone-setter in the middle of the field for the Bears' defense, but has flashed 4.4-second 40-yard speed on the camp circuit and possesses great ball skills to make him a versatile all-around safety who prefers that role patrolling more of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='212343' first='Lamar' last='Brown'] — 6-4, 280 OL/DL — University Lab   The recruitment of one of Louisiana's first prospects to blow up in the 2026 class with an extensive lists of offers from coast to coast increasingly seems to be boiling down to a knockdown, drag-out battle between hometown LSU and nearby Texas A&M. Brown possesses high-end potential on either side of the line of scrimmage with his elite size and athleticism combination. And, whichever side he ultimately wants to play at the next level, the SEC rivals have appeared committed to make sure he does so in their respective jerseys. The sense is that Brown will make a commitment decision prior to his senior season, and the Tigers and Aggies figure to continue trading their best shots down to that wire.   [player_tooltip player_id='1237615' first='Dezyrian' last='Ellis'] — 6-2, 180 QB/ATH — Franklin Parish   "Pook" became the Tigers' most-recent in-state offer when they made their move Feb. 1 during his visit for the program's junior day event. Ellis developed the past two years into an electric dual-threat playmaker at quarterback for his Patriots, including a Class 4A LSWA all-state selection. And LSU has been particularly intrigued by his all-around athleticism in a frame that notably fits the mold of cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond's prototype for the position. Home-state LSU figures to be tough to be for his eventual commitment and signing, but his recruitment continues to explode with new Power Four offers, including programs who could potentially give Ellis looks at quarterback.   [player_tooltip player_id='212340' first='Jabari' last='Mack'] — 6-1, 195 WR — Destrehan   LSU, which has a strong track record recruiting Destrehan, has felt on solid footing with the Wildcats' next star, but will have to out-battle Ohio State, Texas, Texas A&M and others down the stretch to add him to Darby and [player_tooltip player_id='920613' first='Jakai' last='Anderson'] for a tremendous in-state receiving haul. Mack is a strong, physical pass-catcher with great track speed and all-around athleticism. He has been among the state's most intriguing prospects in the class from early on in the group's development and has continued to show notable strides as an increasingly consistent and productive playmaker for his team.   [player_tooltip player_id='920606' first='Darryus' last='McKinley'] — 6-3, 265 DL/EDGE — Acadiana   The once long, lean edge rusher bulked up notably during the past year into an increasingly versatile defensive lineman and also took a big step forward in his overall consistency as a junior on his way to an all-state honorable-mention recognition. LSU has been in the mix for Darryus since before older brother Dominick, the top-ranked prospect in the state's 2024 class, ultimately ended up in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers have continued to feel like the team to beat, though he has plenty of notable options on his offer list.

LSU is off to the races with a strong start to its 2026 recruiting class, built on a foundation of homegrown talent.