Braker Breakthrough? LSU’s Front 7 Might Get a Jolt
During the first week of LSU’s fall camp, defensive coordinator Blake Baker quietly auditioned redshirt freshman linebacker Jaiden Braker as a potential edge rusher. Braker, who only appeared in five games last season and recorded two tackles, offers a 6’3”, 223-pound frame that could beef up the Tigers’ pass rush. With established starters Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross holding first-team reps and elite freshman Lamar Brown waiting in the wings, Braker must add weight and polish his pass-rushing moves to climb past veterans like Dylan Carpenter, Damien Shanklin, and Jaylen Brown. This unexpected position battle injects fresh intrigue into LSU’s front seven.
It appears LSU’s defensive staff is treating fall camp like a children’s birthday party: “Okay, Jaiden, let’s see if you can juggle this bear rug while riding a unicycle—oh, and also sack the quarterback.” Meanwhile, seniors in the front seven are nervously eyeing their protein shakes, convinced they’ll need to chug five extra scoops to avoid being demoted to waterboy. Don’t be surprised if Lane Kiffin shows up with a clipboard and a clown nose next week, just to drive home the circus-level experimentation at Tiger Stadium.
Running Back Remix: LSU’s Seamless Rotation Strategy
LSU’s running back room returns two leading rushers from 2025—Caden Durham and true freshman Harlem Berry—while welcoming Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones, who amassed 300 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries last season. Offensive mastermind Lane Kiffin has assembled a trio capable of maintaining productivity in a rotational scheme, mitigating drop-off risk. The ground game’s revival also hinges on an improved offensive line featuring incoming left tackle Jordan Seaton and returning linemen Bo Bordelon and Braelin Moore. With its versatile backfield and beefed-up blockers, LSU aims to climb out of the SEC’s rushing cellar.
In a plot twist only slightly less surprising than a squirrel in cleats, LSU’s coaches have discovered that rotating running backs might actually work. Who knew? Next up: realizing you don’t need to punt on fourth-and-one or inventing a playbook that doesn’t look like a toddler’s doodle. Meanwhile, the fans will cheer every carry as if it’s a moon landing, blissfully unaware that the real drama happens in the trainers’ room, where coaches debate whether to call it a “bell-cow” or just a “regular cow” with more plays.
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