LSU added three high-profile edge pieces a season ago. They struggled to get the quarterback to the ground.
Patrick Payton, Jack Pyburn and Jimari Butler combined for five sacks, and the NFL Draft came and went without any of their names called. LSU finished 12th in the SEC in sacks per game.
Defensive coordinator Blake Baker sees improvement coming in 2026.
“I think I’ve seen a lot of growth out of some guys,” Baker said. “When you look at Jordan Ross. When you look at (Princewill Umanmielen), they just got here in the spring, how much they’ve already grown. Dylan Carpenter has absolutely been outstanding. When you talk about where he came in as a freshman to where he is now, you know, you don’t see that much anymore because a lot of times they’ll leave before that. But man, I can’t be more complimentary him and Lamar Brown. Kolaj Cobbins is another guy. So, I do I feel good about our depth.”
Umanmielen finished third in the SEC with nine sacks a season ago. That almost doubled LSU’s transfer trio from a season ago. Ross and Brown were five-star recruits. The position group is dripping with potential but hasn’t proven it at LSU.
Baker’s defense thrived on creating havoc, and last season that didn’t result in enough tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
“Rush and coverage works together,” Baker said. “I think we have a little more explosion off the edge. There were several times, when you look back at us last year, we have a great pass rush and maybe just weren’t able to close and finish on the quarterback, but they definitely work together.”
The coverage aspect was there. LSU led the SEC in interceptions and finished ninth nationally in that category with 17. That’s a testament to Corey Raymond and Jake Olson’s defensive backs but also the pressure that was created up front.
“Some of those interceptions come, the quarterback’s got to make a decision, take the sack or throw the ball to us,” Baker said. “So, those numbers sometimes can be a little bit misleading. The better the rush, usually the more interceptions you have.”
Baker has taken LSU’s defense from 108th in 2023 to 27th a season ago. One more step forward could make the Tigers a contender, especially considering the offense Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. figure to produce in purple and gold.
Baker decided to spurn Tulane and Memphis during offseason as both courted him to be their head coach.
“Talking to coach Kiffin, I truly believe with what he does on offense and what we do on defense, the ultimate goal is to bring a national championship to LSU,” Baker said. “I kind of want to see that through.”
