Lane Kiffin names LSU player who is a ‘big priority’ to retain for 2026
By David Wasson
Published:
Every college football coach in this current era must prioritize retaining their roster’s top talent. That includes new LSU coach Lane Kiffin, who Saturday night identified one of the most important players he hopes to retain heading into 2026.
“Big emphasis on keeping Whit Weeks,” Kiffin said during his appearance with the LSU Sports Radio Network while the Tigers were playing Houston in the Texas Bowl. “That’s a big priority for us.”
Weeks missed four games in 2025 with an ankle injury he sustained against Ole Miss on Sept. 27. He played against South Carolina on Oct. 11 and then returned briefly against Western Kentucky on Nov. 22 and then played Nov. 29 in LSU’s season finale against Oklahoma. He was held out of LSU’s 38-35 loss to Houston in the Texas Bowl.
Weeks’ injury issues limited him to 13 tackles and 1 sack in 2025. Weeks burst on the scene as a sophomore in 2024, notching 61 solo tackles, 4 passes defended, 3½ sacks, 2 forced fumbles and an interception. That effort landed Weeks an All-SEC spot and a preseason All-American selection.
Adding a unique wrinkle to Weeks’ future, the linebacker reportedly dates Kiffin’s daughter Landry. Lane Kiffin was hired to replace Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge, and he departed Ole Miss despite the Rebels being on the verge of a first-ever College Football Playoff berth.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
