Despite a loaded roster, only one LSU Tigers star cracks ESPN's early All-America list.
Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers invested a bunch of resources into the roster this offseason, bringing in a bunch of the top talent from all over the country. How many of their players will be recognized after the season?
ESPN's Mark Schlabach took a stab at a "Way-Too-Early" All-America Team before teams return to the practice field for Spring. The Tigers had just one player who made the team, Whit Weeks.
The Tigers had just one All-American last year for ESPN, cornerback Mansoor Delane, who was on the first team.
The new prediction is relying on previous production and expectations, so, understandably, there aren't too many LSU players on the list. There is a lot of change going on in the program.
Weeks is an established star linebacker on a defensive staff that is mostly the same, so his selection makes a lot of sense, but he will need to have a bounce-back campaign if he hopes to make that prediction come true.
The former four-star recruit battled injuries throughout last year and his production took a major hit. He had just 31 tackles, three for a loss and one sack. He did not force a turnover all year long.
He had good games. He made a major impression on Kiffin, while also dating his daughter, with 10 tackles against the Ole Miss Rebels. He had eight against the South Carolina Gamecocks next time he played.
Those are the flashes that make it feel like he should be able to return to his 2024 form if he stays healthy. He had 125 tackles, 10 for a loss, 3.5 sacks with an interception and two forced fumbles. His 61 solo tackles led the conference.
Weeks could have gone to the NFL draft last year, but he decided to come back and try to raise his stock.
While he was the only Tigers star who actually made the team, tight end Trey'Dez Green and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton were in the "also considered" group.
Green is a dynamic receiving threat who should thrive in the high-powered Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. offense. There were moments last season where he dominated, but the poor showing from that unit overall made it hard to be consistent.
Seaton was a freshman All-American back in 2024, but his presence on a very poor Colorado Buffaloes team made it hard to take the next step last year. Now, he will get his chance.