I don’t think it’s hyperbole to drop Mansoor Delane’s 2025 in with LSU’s greats.
Corey Webster in 2003. Patrick Peterson in 2010. Morris Claiborne in 2011. Derek Stingley in 2019. Those are probably the best coverage seasons I’ve watched by Tiger corners. Tyrann Mathieu’s 2011 goes in a category all alone in terms of playmaking.
In coverage terms, Delane was that good last year.
The No. 6 overall pick of the Chiefs allowing just two first downs all season did two things. First, it helped LSU win games. He could eliminate opposing wide outs and did so all season. That doesn’t help LSU in 2026. It helps Kansas City. But second, it got PJ Woodland and DJ Pickett a lot of work. That helps Lane Kiffin’s first Tiger team.
WHO’S BACK: PJ Woodland (Jr.), DJ Pickett (Soph), JaKeem Jackson (Jr.), Aidan Anding (rFr), Michael Turner (Soph)
WHO’S NEW: Havon Finney Jr. (Fr.), Dez Ellis (Fr.), Treylan James (Jr.), Lavonte Williams (Transfer- Georgia Military College)
WHAT WE KNOW
Pickett was the first huge name Corey Raymond reeled in once the legendary cornerbacks coach returned to LSU. Pickett stands out among his peers with a 6-foot-5 frame. He’s 190 pounds, which is big for a corner but looks slender on the field. Last season he played in all 13 games with three starts. He was targeted 38 times and only allowed 20 catches (53% completion). He broke up a pair of passes and came away with three interceptions while allowing three touchdowns. On3 called him the Defensive National True Freshman of the Year. The Football Writers Association of America called him a Freshman All-American. In addition to his coverage play, he made 37 tackles including three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
DJ PICKETT PICKS OFF LAGWAY!!
That's five INTs for the Florida QB pic.twitter.com/qVaM7oBHkv
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) September 14, 2025
No one will confuse Woodland for Pickett. The former Mississippi Defensive Player of the Year in high school is only 5-foot-11 and 164 pounds, but he plays extremely hard. Woodland was targeted more than any Tiger corner last season, 42 times. He only allowed 20 catches (48% completion), broke up nine passes, had a pair of picks and did not allow a score all season. He also made 41 tackles.
Raymond obviously thinks a lot of Ja’Keem Jackson. He’s brought him to two places, first Florida now LSU. Jackson is 6-feet tall and 190 pounds. He’s entering his fourth college season and has made a pair of starts in 24 games played. Of his 84 snaps last year, 63 came against Southeastern Louisiana, Western Kentucky and Houston in the bowl game. So, he was lightly used in SEC play. He did run with the first and second teams in the spring.
Sadly, Aidan Anding saw a really good spring come to a difficult end. He tore his Achilles tendon making an interception in a scrimmage in Tiger Stadium. He will miss the 2026 season.
Michael Turner returns. He’s got great height at 6-foot-1, but he’s only 162 pounds. The vast majority of his work over two seasons as a Tiger has come on special teams.
Havon Finney comes in as the highest rated cornerback in LSU’s 2026 class. The 6-foot-1, 173-pound freshman reclassified and is supposed to be a high school senior. But he’s here. He was the top rated 2027 cornerback which was adjusted to No. 11 when he bumped up a grade.
Dez Ellis is a Raymond prototype. He’s a former three-star prospect from Louisiana (Franklin Parish) with a 6-foot-2 frame. He was an All-State quarterback who ran for over 800 yards as a junior. Long, rangy and athletic. That’s what Raymond targets.
Treylan James was a January addition to the program. He starred at Madison Prep in Baton Rouge and played a season across town at Southern last year after two seasons at Prairie View A&M. He’s played in 21 college games and had six breakups for the Jaguars last year.
Lavonte Williams was another late addition to LSU after Anding went down in the spring. He’s officially listed on the roster as a defensive back. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, corner and safety are possibilities for him. He committed on May 3, so he missed spring football.
HUNT’S TAKE
The Pickett-Woodland duo is a very strong one. Delane shouldered the heaviest load last fall, but LSU led the SEC in interceptions (17), finished third in pass efficiency defense and was the only team in the league to have more interceptions than touchdowns allowed.
PJ WOODLAND PICK! pic.twitter.com/1nbjeHVqkf
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) September 27, 2025
The Raymond effect.
Pickett returns as the likely No. 1 corner, but Woodland won’t be easy to pick on. Both guys have exceptional ball skills and plenty of SEC football under their belts. They’re the top two guys.
I believe Anding was pushing hard for that third spot. Now, I think it’s Jackson’s. The Florida transfer was a starter for the Gators entering 2024. So, Raymond believes he’s got the ability. He’ll play some in the slot and a little bit on the outside when necessary. PFF says he was only targeted six times last year.
Beyond that, it’s really light for LSU.
Turner is undersized and hasn’t played much. Finney is super young. Ellis is a converted quarterback. James comes from the FCS, and Williams was an emergency addition.
I’m stunned Raymond didn’t identify a corner and nab him in a 40-plus man portal class. The day Anding went down, LSU become too thin at the position.
The safeties will help here because Tamarcus Cooley, Dashawn Spears and Ty Benefield can all play at the same time with Spears playing the STAR role. Benefield can cover if he needs to. So, that’s big.
But cornerback is a spot where LSU will be exceptional if healthy. A tweak here or there, and it could become an issue.
