The LSU Tigers are getting ready to kick off their 2026 campaign this Saturday under the lights in Baton Rouge against the Clemson Tigers, and the name of a former LSU legend will be on the minds and hearts of everyone in Death Valley when the Bayou Bengals take the field.
This will be former Tigers star defensive back and head coach Jerry Stovall, who passed away on Monday at the age of 85 after a lengthy battle with heart disease.
Dubbed “Mr. Everything,” Stovell was a Louisiana native who played for LSU from 1960-62, where he cemented himself as one of the all-time Tiger greats.
He was a 2-time All-SEC First-team selection in 1961 and 1962, and he also earned unanimous All-American honors, SEC Player of the Year, and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in the latter of those 2 seasons. He followed this by being selected 2nd overall in the 1963 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, and spent his entire 9-year pro career with the Cards, earning 3 Pro Bowl selections and Second-team All-Pro honors in 1966.
After his playing career, he returned to Baton Rouge as head coach of his alma mater from 1980-1983, compiling a 22-21-2 record and leading the Bayou Bengals to the 1982 Orange Bowl. He also spent 5 years as AD of Louisiana Tech from 1990-1994, and his No. 21 jersey was officially retired by LSU in 2018.
