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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three reasons why LSU football linebacker Whit Weeks can win the Butkus Award
Whit Weeks returns to LSU football for a highly anticipated third season. The linebacker turned in a breakout sophomore year in 2024. His 25 pressures and 56 stops both ranked second among SEC linebackers, and he led the Tigers with 125 tackles. Weeks also added 10 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and an interception. In his second season under defensive coordinator Blake Baker, Weeks is poised for another standout year. He's certainly a preseason contender for the Butkus Award and has a great chance to take it home with a repeat performance of last year. Weeks' play is contingent upon his recovery from a lower-body injury sustained during the second quarter of LSU's bowl game in January. Head coach Brian Kelly pointed to a full return for Weeks by fall camp, so it appears he'll be ready to lead the Tigers' front seven. Here are three reasons why Weeks will win the 2025 Butkus Award. LSU DC Blake Baker has a strong history of developing linebackers Baker built a reputation for developing talented linebackers dating back to his first stint at LSU and time at Missouri. Weeks took a large step forward from his first to his second season in Baton Rouge, thanks in large part to Baker's tutelage. A second season in Baker's system should yield similar growth from last offseason for Weeks. Now a junior, he'll not only be playing for championships at LSU but also to increase his draft stock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Weeks' returning production is better than any SEC linebacker Weeks is coming off a season in which he was among the SEC's top five in multiple categories. Within arguably the toughest conference in college football, he already separated himself from the competition. With home contests against conference juggernauts Florida and South Carolina, as well as road games at Alabama and Texas A&M, Weeks will have plenty of opportunities to prove he's the best at his position. Weeks has the talent to make splashy plays Weeks puts himself in great positions to make standout plays. Highlight reel-worthy plays make a difference in consideration for postseason awards like the Butkus Award, and Weeks has the potential to do just that. A former blue-chip recruit, Weeks was a four-star prospect per On3's Industry Rankings. He was No. 15 at his position and No. 149 overall in the 2023 cycle. This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: 3 reasons why LSU football linebacker Whit Weeks can win Butkus Award
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Three reasons why LSU football linebacker Whit Weeks can win the Butkus Award
Whit Weeks returns to LSU football for a highly anticipated third season. The linebacker turned in a breakout sophomore year in 2024. His 25 pressures and 56 stops both ranked second among SEC linebackers, and he led the Tigers with 125 tackles. Weeks also added 10 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and an interception. In his second season under defensive coordinator Blake Baker, Weeks is poised for another standout year. He's certainly a preseason contender for the Butkus Award and has a great chance to take it home with a repeat performance of last year. Weeks' play is contingent upon his recovery from a lower-body injury sustained during the second quarter of LSU's bowl game in January. Head coach Brian Kelly pointed to a full return for Weeks by fall camp, so it appears he'll be ready to lead the Tigers' front seven. Here are three reasons why Weeks will win the 2025 Butkus Award. LSU DC Blake Baker has a strong history of developing linebackers Baker built a reputation for developing talented linebackers dating back to his first stint at LSU and time at Missouri. Weeks took a large step forward from his first to his second season in Baton Rouge, thanks in large part to Baker's tutelage. A second season in Baker's system should yield similar growth from last offseason for Weeks. Now a junior, he'll not only be playing for championships at LSU but also to increase his draft stock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Weeks' returning production is better than any SEC linebacker Weeks is coming off a season in which he was among the SEC's top five in multiple categories. Within arguably the toughest conference in college football, he already separated himself from the competition. With home contests against conference juggernauts Florida and South Carolina, as well as road games at Alabama and Texas A&M, Weeks will have plenty of opportunities to prove he's the best at his position. Weeks has the talent to make splashy plays Weeks puts himself in great positions to make standout plays. Highlight reel-worthy plays make a difference in consideration for postseason awards like the Butkus Award, and Weeks has the potential to do just that. A former blue-chip recruit, Weeks was a four-star prospect per On3's Industry Rankings. He was No. 15 at his position and No. 149 overall in the 2023 cycle.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Four-star Clemson football 2026 target Blake Stewart announces official commitment
The Clemson Tigers picked up another big win on the recruiting trail in the class of 2026 Sunday when four-star safety Blake Stewart announced his commitment to head coach Dabo Swinney's program. Stewart, listed as 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, out of Woodward Academy in Georgia, announced his commitment in a livestream video. He chose the Tigers over the Miami Hurricanes, the Michigan Wolverines and Vanderbilt Commodores. Stewart is a four-star prospect in 247Sports' Composite Recruiting Rankings, the No. 24 overall safety in the class of 2026. On3's Industry Rankings lists him as the No. 26 overall safety. With Stewart's announcement, Clemson now has three safeties in its 2026 recruiting class and 21 hard commitments overall. Stewart follows a string of elite talent to commit to the Tigers since the month of June. He's the most recent Clemson commitment after four-star defensive lineman Keshawn Stancil (Clayton, North Carolina), ranked the No. 15 player at his position in the 2026 class by On3, committed on June 28. Clemson also added four-star EDGE Dre Quinn and two four-star offensive linemen in Leo Delaney and Carter Scruggs. Both rank as top 10 interior lineman by 247Sports and On3. Three-star EDGE JR Hardrick committed to Clemson in early June. Clemson's 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked 10th nationally by Rivals/On3 and 11th by 247Sports. Clemson football 2026 recruiting class commitments As of Stewart's announcement, Clemson has 21 hard commitments in its 2026 class. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
10 underrated SEC players who could impact the college football playoff race
The race for the SEC title is wide open as the 2025 college football season inches closer. The top contenders are clear -- Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and LSU all figure to be in the mix. You have your sleepers, too. Texas A&M is looking to take the next step, and Ole Miss wants to prove it can hang with the top of the sport. But the SEC's contenders all have their fair share of questions. For any of the aforementioned squads to reach their goals, they will need some breakout performances. Players who aren't seen as stars now will need all-conference campaigns. Today, we'll look at 10 underrated players who will impact the SEC football championship race in the 2025 season. Even a handful of these guys aren't on teams that can win the whole thing, but they'll play a role. Auburn and Tennessee probably won't take home the SEC title, but they can still affect the race by punching above their weight. Think of the players on this list as leverage points for their respective teams. Auburn offensive lineman Xavier Chaplin Finding good offensive linemen in the transfer portal is rare, but Auburn landed a promising offensive tackle in Xavier Chaplin. Chaplin spent the first three years of his career at Virginia Tech and was ranked as the No. 14 player in the portal, per On3's Industry Rankings. Chaplin brings over 1,400 snaps of experience to Auburn's offensive line. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 338 pounds, he's got the size to play SEC football. Auburn needs the offense to take a step forward in 2025, especially the passing game. The offensive line created run lanes in 2024, but protecting the QB was a struggle. Chaplin aims to solve that. The Tigers have a star-studded WR group, and if the offensive line is good, Auburn's offense can get away with average QB play. Auburn won't compete for an SEC title, but if Hugh Freeze figures some things out, they can pull some upsets and still impact the SEC race. For that to happen, Chaplin needs to have an All-SEC caliber season. Georgia cornerback Daylen Everette Phil Steele lists Daylen Everette on his preseason first-team All-SEC squad, so it's a stretch to say the Georgia cornerback is flying under the radar. But he's not the first guy that comes to mind when you think of players who will impact the playoff race. UGA's defense ranked in the 64th percentile in EPA/dropback allowed last year. That's good, but below the high standard Kirby Smart's defense has set for itself. The Dawgs' defense is looking to get back to an elite level this fall, and an All-SEC performance from Everette would certainly help. The veteran corner had a strong 2024, recording three interceptions and posting a 73.3 coverage grade, per PFF. But Georgia has questions at the other cornerback spot. UGA doesn't know what it's going to get from Daniel Harris, which makes an elite showing from Everette paramount. Texas defensive back Jelani McDonald Texas is losing key pieces on the backend with Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba off to the next level. But don't expect a steep drop-off -- the room is still filled with talent, including Jelani McDonald. McDonald only played one snap as a true freshman in 2023 but saw 477 snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2024. Now entering year three, he's primed for a starting role. McDonald finished the year strong with five stops vs. Arizona State before recording a 78.4 PFF grade vs. Texas. He's a versatile defender who can play true safety or in the slot. McDonald is stout vs. the run and figures to take another step forward in pass coverage. The Texas DB has All-SEC upside, and if he emerges, there won't be many questions about Texas' defense, and the Longhorns are set for another playoff run. LSU defensive end Patrick Payton LSU signed the top-ranked transfer portal class in the country, which included Patrick Payton from Florida State. Brian Kelly and the Tigers are hoping to compete for a playoff spot, but LSU needs its new look defensive end room to deliver. That starts with Payton. Payton brings over 1,500 career snaps from FSU and played a pivotal role on the Seminoles' elite defense in 2023, racking up 44 pressures and seven sacks. In his career, he has 90 pressures to go along with 68 stops. LSU lost the bulk of its edge defender production, and an experienced defender like Payton is just what LSU needed. The Tigers feel good about their cornerback and linebackers. If Payton emerges as a true pass rush threat, LSU's defense has a chance to be elite, and the Tigers will contend for a national title. Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard Ryan Williams gets much of the attention in Alabama's wide receiver room, and deservedly so. But Bama has one of the top WR duos in the SEC with Germie Bernard working alongside Williams. Bernard can stretch the field. He caught 56.3% of deep targets in 202,4, and that was with the inconsistent quarterback play from Jalen Milroe. He finished the year with 50 catches for 794 yards and 15.9 yards per catch. Of those 50 catches, 37 went for first downs. Alabama expects to compete for national titles every year. If the QB situation works out, this offense will be near impossible to stop if Williams and Bernard bring it every week. Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell Just like LSU, Texas A&M also has a ton to replace at the defensive end position. But the Aggies are in a good spot with plenty of talent in-house. It starts with Cashius Howell, who's on the verge of a breakout year. Howell began his career at Bowlong Green, but looks the part of an SEC defensive lineman. He's explosive at the point of attack, which allows him to shed blocks, even against bigger offensive linemen. Howell has a deep bag of pass rush moves, and his PFF pass rush grade was one of the best in the SEC last year. Now with a full-time role, Howell should put up big numbers. A&M is expected to be strong on the backend, and if Howell performs, the Aggies' defense will be one of the best in the country. Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop One of the biggest holes any team has to replace this year is Tennessee's loss of Dylan Sampson at running back. Sampson was one of the most productive players in Tennessee history, carrying the ball 258 times and rushing for 22 TDs in 2024. Tennessee has a few options and could go with running back by committee, but if one guy has a chance of emerging as the feature back, it's DeSean Bishop. Bishop ran the ball 74 times and averaged 6.1 yards per carry last fall. He's shown flashes and averaged 3.96 yards after contact. With Tennessee's questions at the QB position, it needs a strong ground game if it hopes to make another playoff push. That makes Bishop pivotal to Tennessee's success in 2025. Florida cornerback Devin Moore Florida cornerback Devin Moore was beginning to emerge in 2024 before a shoulder injury cut his season short. In his final two games, vs. Kentucky and Georgia, Moore was targeted just four times and didn't allow a single catch. Moore is healthy now and looking to put together a breakout campaign. Florida has a chance to take the next step after a strong finish to 2024. The Gators' offense returns phenom quarterback DJ Lagwa, and the defensive line has a handful of future NFL players. An All-SEC cornerback on the backend could be the missing ingredient. Ole Miss wide receiver Cayden Lee Ole Miss is losing four of its top five wide receivers from its elite offense in 2024. The lone returner is Cayden Lee. Lee posted some big games last fall, which included a nine-catch, 132-yard performance vs. LSU in Death Valley. He finished the year with 57 catches for 874 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per catch and 2.08 yards per route run. Lee plays in the slot and is on the smaller side. He's not a guy who will make contested catches on the outside, but he has the speed to take the top off a defense and can make things happen with the ball in his hand. This unit will have a new look this fall, but if Lee can deliver big games, the drop-off won't be as steep. LSU left tackle Tyree Adams We'll finish the list with one more LSU player. Tyree Adams has big shoes to fill at left tackle with three-year starter Will Campbell off to the NFL. Campbell was a consensus All-American and a top-five NFL Draft pick. LSU's biggest question mark on offense is the offensive line. LSU arguably has the best QB in the SEC with Garrett Nussmeier, and the receiver core is among the best in the country. The line, which lacks the experience of last year's squad, could be the one thing standing between LSU and a playoff berth. But if young players like Adams can figure it out quickly, LSU will be firmly in the hunt for a national title. Adams entered spring ball in a competition for the left tackle job, but took control quickly. That should leave LSU fans feeling confident in the talented tackle entering 2025.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Here's every five star prospect committed to LSU football in class of 2026
LSU football's 2026 recruiting class is on track to be the best of the Brian Kelly era at LSU. It combines home-grown talent and top prospects from around the region. The class is headlined by four players who are considered five-star recruits by at least one of the major recruiting services. Wide receiver Tristen Keys and defensive lineman Lamar Brown are both consensus five-stars. Richard Anderson and Trenton Henderson round out the elite bunch. Brown is the most recent pledge, announcing his decision from University Lab's gym, then shutting down his recruitment with a post on social media. Henderson made his announcement on June 2. Keys is yet to waver from his decision in March and while Anderson has been committed for over a year. LSU's 2026 class ranks sixth nationally and fourth in the SEC. The cycle won't end until all recruits put pen to paper ahead of enrolling in January 2026, but Tiger fans should feel great about these four recruits as well as the rest of the class. Over half of the class hails from Louisiana, meaning they'll be less likely to change their decisions. Wide receiver Tristen Keys Keys was one of the first verbal commitments for LSU's 2026 class. 247Sports and Rivals rank him as the top player out of Mississippi and at wide receiver. Both sites rank Keys as a top-five overall prospect. Despite keeping his options open and taking official visits to Miami and Texas A&M over the summer, Keys appears firm in his pledge to LSU. At six-foot-two and 185 pounds, Keys caught 58 passes for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. Scouts note his ability to gain significant yardage after contact and his ball-tracking ability in the air. Defensive lineman Richard Anderson A New Orleans native, Anderson made the decision last June to stay in his home state. After his senior year at Edna Karr, the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder will join a retooled defense upon enrolling in Jan. 2026. His frame gives him a great chance to make an immediate impact. On3's Industry Rankings are the highest on Anderson, slotting him as Louisiana's No. 2 prospect and the best defensive lineman in the cycle. The outlet puts him at No. 26 overall. Defensive end Trenton Henderson 247Sports is the highest on Henderson, giving him a five-star designation and slotting him at No. 4 among edge rushers in the cycle. He is also the No. 5 player out of Florida. Henderson plays linebacker in high school, but his six-foot-four frame and ability to get after quarterbacks on the edge make him a defensive end in college. Henderson chose LSU in a July 2 announcement. The Pensacola, FL native was the first of two edges to commit to the Tigers over the last week, as fellow Florida native DeAnthony Lafayette followed him. Defensive lineman Lamar Brown The crown jewel of LSU's 2026 recruiting class, Brown is Louisiana's top prospect across all recruiting outlets and ranks in the national top five. Kelly's staff couldn't let him escape from their backyard. Now he's locked into representing his home city. Brown is currently listed as an athlete, but he intends to focus on the defensive line in college. He'll likely finish as the top-ranked defensive tackle in the class and one of the top-ranked prospects in Louisiana high school history.
