By KACE KIESCHNICK, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter
As significant injuries mount for the Tigers, coach Lane Kiffin said he was considering sitting some starters when No. 11 LSU (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) hosts McNeese State (2-3, 1-2 Southland Conference) on Saturday (6:45 p.m., SEC Network).
That provides an opportunity to players who have not been seeing a lot of the field so far this season to make their mark and possibly move into bigger roles down the stretch of the SEC season.
From reserves cementing themselves in the regular rotation to more extensive looks at young talents, here are eight LSU players to watch on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.
NOW OR NEVER
These players had high expectations coming into the season thanks to their Power Four experience and production, but they have not broken through the starting lineup or carved out a consistent role this season. Saturday’s matchup will be a critical opportunity for them to see game action, build confidence and impress the coaching staff.
Running Back Harlem Berry
Berry’s talent was undeniable as a freshman last season at LSU, and his role grew late in the season after the coaching change from Brian Kelly to interim Frank Wilson, who recruited him from St. Martin’s in Metairie. After finishing the year with 104 carries for 491 yards and two scores, it was assumed his contribution to the offense would only grow in his second collegiate season. But through four games, he has only seen 30 snaps and taken 12 carries for 71 yards as Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones took over the lead back role and Central Florida transfer Stacy Gage was the backup for the first three games.
Berry, who was the No. 2 back last week against Texas A&M as Gage did not carry, was beat out by Jones because of Jones’ more physical running prowess and better blocking ability. Harlem rushed seven times for 58 yards last week and should get plenty of opportunities against the Cowboys to show his explosiveness.
Wide Receiver Jayce Brown
Brown was one of the many highly-touted transfers that made up LSU’s top-ranked portal class this offseason as a senior. He was an All-Big 12 honoree at Kansas State last season. He hauled in 115 receptions for 1,972 yards and 13 touchdowns in three seasons there. Of the nine transfers Kiffin welcomed to the wide receiver room, Brown had the most past production coming in.
But through the first month of this season, Brown ranks eighth on the team in receiving yards with only 37 despite seeing the fourth-most usage of any wideout. He has caught only four of his eight targets this season, and Pro Football Focus credited him for drops on two of those incompletions. Brown has the versatility to line up in the slot or wide and the explosiveness to be a real difference maker. But he will need to prove he can be a reliable target in live action if he wants to step up with Trey’Dez Green sidelined.
VITAL RESERVES
The depth of Kiffin’s rebuilt roster is already being tested in the beginning of October. Injuries to starting star Dashawn Spears, linebacker Whit Weeks and tight end Trey’Dez Green have left the Tigers without three of their very best players. Not only will new starters need to step into their places, the reserves behind them will have to fill their former roles.
LB Tylen Singleton
Singleton played in all 13 games during his redshirt freshman season last year and saw a slightly increased role toward the end of the 2025 season while Weeks was out with an ankle injury. With Weeks again out for the foreseeable future and No. 4 linebacker Charles Ross II out for the season, Singleton and redshirt freshman Zach Weeks will compete for the third rotational spot behind starters TJ Dottery and Davhon Keys.
All of Singleton’s action this season came in 10 snaps against Texas A&M. He recorded three tackles, including one for loss. Weeks has seen very brief work with the reserves against Clemson, Louisiana Tech and Texas A&M and has just one tackle in his 12 total snaps. Either Singleton or Z. Weeks could take over Keys’ former role as a rotational linebacker, and both should be featured heavily against the Cowboys.
Safety Faheem Delane
Delane transferred to LSU from Ohio State to play for the school that helped his brother, Mansoor Delane, become an All-American cornerback and first round draft choiceb as the sixth overall pick. After being ranked as a consensus four-star prep prospect, Faheem played in 13 games with the Buckeyes as a true freshman last season.
The defensive backfield has shifted with star Dashawn Spears done for the year. Safety Ty Benefield moved down to play his hybrid star role against the Aggies, and redshirt freshman Jhase Thomas was the starter at safety. That may not be the case every week, but Delane could play a key role backing up the safeties as they are stretched across the defense. He was even listed as the No. 2 star on the depth chart versus A&M behind linebacker CJ Jimcoily. That was gamesmanship as Kiffin started Benefield after Jimcoily was announced as the starter before the game on the public address system.
Tight End Roman Mothershed
At 6-foot-5, 212 pounds, Mothershed was the biggest wide receiver LSU had on its roster. That made him the obvious candidate to assume tight end duties when Green exited with a knee injury. The Tigers made his move to tight end official following the Texas A&M game, although he has been an occasional receiving tight end since Green left the Ole Miss game.
Playing McNeese will be Mothershed’s first game with the official title and the last chance for the coaching staff to get creative in non-conference action. Mothershed is a big-bodied receiver, not a traditional tight end. He may not be the every-down blocker, but he will have a chance to emerge in Green’s role as an occasional slot and outside receiver.
FRESHMEN TALENTS
Kiffin said he came to LSU to merge the freshmen talent that routinely comes to Baton Rouge with veteran portal production. In 2026 so far, only one true freshman has had a major impact for the Tigers – defensive tackle Deuce Geralds. Here are some highly thought of rookies that could earn more playing time later in the season with big days against the Cowboys.
Defensive End Lamar Brown
Brown was ESPN’s No. 1 prospect in the class of 2026 out of University Lab. He has already been used as the No. 4 edge rusher, seeing 36 defensive snaps in three games. Brown has just two tackles on the season and should expect a big opportunity to show why he can be an impact freshman down the stretch.
Defensive Tackle Richard Anderson
Anderson rounds out the trio of freshmen defensive linemen that collected buckets of praise in preseason practice. The Edna Karr High star from New Orleans was regarded as the top interior lineman in his class, and he has earned more playing time than Brown through four games. In 46 snaps, he has made two tackles.
Wide Receiver Corey Barber Jr.
Barber was a four-star prospect at Clay-Chalkville High in Pinson, Alabama. He flipped his commitment from Ole Miss to LSU to follow Kiffin and his staff. He has appeared in three games this season as a reserve slot receiver and made one catch for 15 yards against Clemson. He could see an extended look against the Cowboys and will likely have the opportunity to catch passes from backup quarterbacks Landen Clark or Husan Longstreet.
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