LSU's Defense Has Five Massive Questions, And Blake Baker Needs Answers NOW

Alright, so listen up, because while our Hawks and M's are doing their thing, there's some wild stuff brewing down in Baton Rouge that's gonna dictate if LSU's defense is a monster or just, well, meh. Blake Baker, the defensive coordinator, was linked to the Tulane gig, but he stayed! Huge for Lane Kiffin, but man, the dude has his work cut out for him. We're talking five massive questions hanging over this unit, and the answers will decide if they're legit or just pretenders in 2026.

Key Returners and Transfers Bringing the Juice

Look, it's not all doom and gloom. There are some serious players ready to make noise. Remember Whit Weeks? The linebacker is back, healthy after an ankle injury, and ready to reclaim his spot as the defense's leader for his senior season. He's anchoring that linebacking group with TJ Dottery, which should bring some much-needed stability to the second level. And then there's Ty Benefield, the safety from Boise State. This dude showed up for spring camp and just blew everyone away! Three-year starter, All-Mountain West last year, 107 tackles, 28 straight starts. That's serious production! He pairs up with Tamarcus Cooley, with Dashawn Spears at STAR. This guy is a major piece for Baker's defense, no doubt.

The Battles and the Blown-Up Backfield

But here's where it gets spicy. Aidan Anding, a cornerback, tore his Achilles tendon in spring camp. A TORN ACHILLES! That's brutal, and it's blown a huge hole right in the secondary, specifically at the CB4 spot. DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland are likely starting, but after that, it's a dogfight. Ja’Keem Jackson, Michael Turner, Havon Finney Jr., and JUCO transfer Lavonte Williams are all battling it out. Good thing they've got Corey Raymond coaching those corners, because his track record of developing elite talent is gonna be tested big time. Then you've got the interior defensive line, which is another wide-open rumble. Spring standout Deuce Geralds is fighting it out with 5-star Richard Anderson and Auburn transfer Malik Blocton. This is straight-up chaos! And on the edge, Gabriel Reliford's torn ACL opens up snaps, with Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen looking to step in. It's like musical chairs, but with way higher stakes.

So, what's it mean for LSU? They’re less than 100 days from kicking off against the Clemson Tigers, and how Blake Baker answers these five questions is gonna set the tone for their entire season. Can Weeks lead like he used to? How great can Benefield be? Who steps up at CB4 and on the defensive line? This isn't just about winning games, folks. This is about building confidence, hitting the ground running, and seeing if Baker's unit can actually compete for a playoff run. LSU fans better be ready, because this ride is just getting started.

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.