By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
At times, preseason football camp is used to give backups a chance to perform, and perhaps light a grill under starters who may be getting a little too comfortable.
Could that be why LSU redshirt sophomore transfer Stacy Gage of Central Florida has been running ahead of junior two-time leading rusher Caden Durham for weeks?
Durham has often been taking hand-offs fourth behind Dilin Jones, Harlem Berry and Gage this camp despite gaining 1,258 yards in 2024 and ’25 for the Tigers. But on Saturday, Durham was with the first team at times and twice rushed for gains of 70 yards or more during LSU’s full-contact scrimmage at Tiger Stadium.
Jones, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Wisconsin, opened the scrimmage as the No. 1 running back, where he has been since the spring, but did not return. Durham, Berry and Gage got the rest of the carries.
The scrimmage was closed to reporters, but open to former players, some of whom have given various reporters the highlights.
From most accounts Saturday and previously during camp, it appears that coach Lane Kiffin’s top four receivers are transfers Jackson Harris, Tre’ Wilson, Winnie Watkins and Jayce Brown. Harris, Watkins and tight end Trey’Dez Green caught passes for significant yardage from quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Leavitt continued to impress and threw some “unbelievable” passes, a former player told Matt Moscona of LouisianaSports.net. Leavitt, according to witnesses, also is running as if he did not suffer a foot injury last season at Arizona State that required surgery and sitting out most of spring.
Lane Kiffin is not one to throw a lot of feel-good BS when it comes to his players. So, what he said recently about Sam Leavitt is significant.https://t.co/HTNftnhcyQ
— Glenn Guilbeau (@SportBeatTweet) August 22, 2026
The offensive line starting five was the same as it has been since the spring with junior transfer Jordan Seaton at left tackle, fifth-year senior Bo Bordelon at left guard, fifth-year senior Braelin Moore at center, fifth-year senior transfer Aliou Bah at right guard and redshirt sophomore Weston Davis at right tackle.
There has been movement on the second team O-Line, though. True freshman Ryan Miret of Southridge High in Miami is backing up Moore at center. Redshirt sophomore transfer William Satterwhite had previously been at No. 2 center. Satterwhite worked at No. 2 left guard Saturday, but has moved around the line in recent practices. And true freshman Brysten Martinez of East Ascension High in Gonzales is at No. 2 left tackle behind Seaton. Redshirt junior transfer Sean Thompkins was at No. 2 left tackle.
Apparently, redshirt freshman Jhase Thomas of Destrehan High playing at a No. 1 safety spot next to senior transfer Ty Benefield was more than just a look early in camp. Thomas was with the first team again Saturday ahead of projected starter Tamarcus Cooley, a reshirt junior who started all 13 games last season after transferring in from North Carolina State. Thomas played in only five games last year as a reserve defensive back and on special teams and made no tackles.
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