LSU Player Profile Number 30 – Junior Safety/Star Dashawn Spears

Portrait of a young man with curly black hair wearing an LSU football jersey (white with purple and gold stripes) against a gray background. — LSU junior safety Dashawn Spears is expected to be the starter this season at the star position, a combination of a defensive back and linebacker. (LSU photo).

TIGER RAG NEWS SERVICES

After incremental development through his first two seasons, junior safety Dashawn Spears could break out in 2026 as he moves to the star position in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s unit.

Spears (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) has started four games and played in 26 games at safety through his first two years, and now replaces the talented Harold Perkins Jr. at the star – a combination safety-linebacker slot.

Dashawn Spears Says LSU Becoming DBU Again After Tigers Intercept Florida’s DJ Lagway Five Times

TIGER RAG SCOUTING REPORT: Returning rotational contributor poised for a key season. Versatile athlete who can cover and stuff the run with a great combination of size and speed.

BIOGRAPHY NOTES: Key member of LSU’s defensive backfield in his first two seasons at LSU … Enters third season at LSU having appeared in 26 games with 4 starts during his career … Proven to be a consistent contributor in the secondary during his 2 seasons … Earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors in 2025 win over Florida after intercepting 2 passes, returning one 58 yards for a touchdown, in the 20-10 LSU victory … 53 career tackles along with 3.0 tackles for loss, a sack and 2 interceptions … Local product who joined the Tigers as one of the nation’s top safety prospects from Denham Springs (La.) High School … Majoring in interdisciplinary studies.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2025)
Played in all 13 games with 1 start … Start came against Houston in the Texas Bowl when he recorded a career-high 9 tackles … Finished year with 29 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack … Added 2 interceptions and a pair of pass breakups … Part of LSU’s rotation at safety that included All-America A.J. Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley … Big part of LSU’s win over Florida, intercepting a pair of passes in the victory … First interception came in opening quarter at the LSU 26-yard line … Returned second interception 58 yards in the third quarter that put the Tigers up 20-10 … In win over Arkansas had first career sack, which went for a 9-yard loss … Credited with tackles for loss in 3 of LSU’s final 4 games … Had a tackle for a 1-yard loss at Oklahoma and 1 for a 2-yard loss vs. Houston … For season, played a total of 255 defensive snaps … Added another 152 snaps on special teams

FRESHMAN SEASON (2024)
Appeared in 13 games with 3 starts … First career start came in road win over South Carolina in what was the first of 3 straight starts … Also started against UCLA and South Alabama, all LSU wins … Finished season with 24 tackles and a pass breakup on 205 defensive snaps … Played another 122 snaps o special teams … Season-high 44 defensive snaps at South Carolina, followed by 37 against both UCLA and South Alabama …. Had career-best 5 tackles in Tiger Stadium debut against Nicholls … Added 5 tackles against South Alabama and Texas A&M … Closed season with 1 tackle on 27 snaps in Texas Bowl win over Baylor.

HIGH SCHOOL
Tremendous safety prospect from Denham Springs High School, located just east of Baton Rouge … Rated with 4-stars and as the nation’s No. 4 safety prospect in the On3 composite … Rated the No. 3 overall prospect in Louisiana in the composite rankings … Helped Denham Springs to a 10-3 record and the quarterfinals of the 2022 Division I non-select playoffs … Two-time First-Team 5A All-State selection in 2022 and 2023 … Earned All-Livingston Parish honors and named All-District 5-5A choice…Finished his senior season with 51 tackles, 9 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, and scored 3 defensive TDs … A multi-sport athlete who also competes in track and field… As a junior in 2022, set the school-record with 10 interceptions … Born in Utah but moved to Louisiana at a young age.

CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 9 vs. Houston, 2025 Texas Bowl
Tackles for Loss: 1.0 vs. Arkansas, 2025
Interceptions: 2 vs. Florida, 2025
Pass Breakups: 2 vs. Western Kentucky, 2025

NEXT: Kicker Scott Starzyk

PREVIOUS BIOS:

Defensive Tackle Richard Anderson

Offensive Guard Aliou Bah

Safety Ty Benefield

Running Back Harlem Berry

Defensive Tackle Malik Blocton

Offensive Guard Bo Bordelon

Wide Receiver Jayce Brown

Defensive End Lamar Brown

Wide Receiver Tre Brown III

Punter Grant Chadwick