ESPN Release 2026 College Football Way-Too-Early Top 25: Spring Update

LSU checked in at No. 11 in ESPN's latest Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25: "Spring Update."

Here's what senior writer Mark Schlabach had to say about the Tigers:

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11. LSU Tigers
2025 record: 7-6, 3-5 SEC

Previous ranking: 15

Key players lost: QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR Barion Brown, WR Zavion Thomas, S A.J. Haulcy, DE Jack Pyburn, LB Harold Perkins Jr., CB Mansoor Delane, WR Aaron Anderson

Key additions: QB Sam Leavitt (Arizona State), WR Jayce Brown (Kansas State), WR Eugene Wilson III (Florida), WR Winston Watkins (Ole Miss), WR Tre' Brown III (Old Dominion), DE Jordan Ross (Tennessee), DT Stephiylan Green (Clemson), S Ty Benefield (Boise State), G Devin Harper (Ole Miss), LB TJ Dottery (Ole Miss), DT Lamar Brown (high school)

2026 outlook: Let the fun begin at LSU, where new coach Lane Kiffin arrives with what is reportedly a $40 million roster. While Kiffin preached patience this spring, there's no slowing down the Lane Train when it comes to preseason hype. Leavitt is coming off foot surgery. In 2024, he led the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title by throwing for 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. Kiffin and his staff loaded the roster with proven receivers, and they grabbed several transfers to rebuild what was a very mediocre offensive line in 2025. Retaining defensive coordinator Blake Baker was a coup, as was persuading linebacker Whit Weeks to come back.

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Top 25:
1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Georgia
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas
6. Indiana
7. Miami
8. Texas Tech
9. Ole Miss
10. Texas A&M
11. LSU
12. BYU
13. Oklahoma
14. Michigan
15. Penn State
16. Alabama
17. Washington
18. Utah
19. Iowa
20. USC
21. Louisville
22. SMU
23. TCU
24. Houston
25. Tennessee