Six LSU Tigers Named To ESPN's Top 100 Players For 2026

LSU was well represented in ESPN's ranking of the Top 100 players in college football heading into the 2026 season, with six Tigers making the list:

No. 34 - OT Jordan Seaton
No. 37 - QB Sam Leavitt
No. 38 - S Ty Benefield
No. 41 - LB Whit Weeks
No. 49 - TE Trey'Dez Green
No. 80 - DE Princewill Umanmielen

Here's what ESPN writers had to say about each player:

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34. Jordan Seaton
OT, LSU, junior
2025 notable stat: 1 sack allowed
2025 postseason ranking: NR

One of the top transfer portal players in the country, Seaton left Colorado to play for Lane Kiffin at LSU -- immediately upgrading an offensive line that struggled to get its run game going and protect the quarterback in 2025. LSU ranked No. 124 in the country in rush yards (104 per game) and No. 94 in sacks allowed (29). Seaton should upgrade that group immediately. -- Andrea Adelson


37. Sam Leavitt
QB, LSU, junior
2025 notable stats: 1,628 passing yards, 10 TDs, 65.8 QBR
2025 postseason ranking: NR

Leavitt had a breakout year in 2024, leading Arizona State to the College Football Playoff, before a foot injury in October 2025 derailed his season. Now he is at LSU, playing under Kiffin, trying to help perhaps the most notorious coach in college football win right away in Baton Rouge. Leavitt is fully recovered from the foot injury and has plenty of talented receivers to help him get the job done and an offensive system that allows quarterbacks to thrive. -- Andrea Adelson


38. Ty Benefield
S, LSU, senior
2025 notable stats: 105 total tackles, 2 INTs, 1 FF
2025 postseason ranking: NR

While offensive transfers have drawn most of the on-field headlines for LSU in 2026, a new defender is poised to be a star. Benefield comes to Baton Rouge from Boise State, where he was a two-year starter, a three-year contributor and racked up 220 career tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss (nine in 2025), 18 run stops (12 in 2025), five interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He can lineup deep or in the slot, and he has even recorded three sacks and 10 pressures in 45 career pass rushes. -- Bill Connelly


41. Whit Weeks
LB, LSU, senior
2025 notable stats: 28 total tackles, 1 sack
2025 postseason ranking: NR

The unquestioned leader of the LSU defense, Weeks plays with an impressiveness -- and a flair -- that is hard to beat. Weeks played through an ankle injury for parts of last year and ended up missing five games, something that has fueled his motivation headed into this season. When he is healthy, he is something else to watch -- as evidenced by his sophomore year in which he had 125 total tackles. -- Andrea Adelson


49. Trey'Dez Green
TE, LSU, junior
2025 notable stats: 33 receptions, 433 yards, 7 TDs
2025 postseason ranking: NR

An elite red zone target and a major target at 6-7, 237 pounds, Green was a bright spot for a struggling LSU offense in 2025. He caught seven red zone touchdowns, but he was also second on the team with six catches of over 20 yards. He could benefit significantly from the overall upgrades Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. are attempting to bring to Baton Rouge. -- Bill Connelly


80. Princewill Umanmielen
DE, LSU, senior
2025 notable stats: 45 total tackles, 13 TFLs, 9 sacks
2025 postseason ranking: NR

Umanmielen transferred from Ole Miss to LSU to play for coach Lane Kiffin after finding great success with the Rebels last season. He had a tackle for loss in 11 games, including the final eight of the season, as he played in 15 games with one start. In addition to the sacks and tackles for loss, he had 13 quarterback hurries. The potential to have a career season with the Tigers is high. -- Andrea Adelson

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