No. 2 Running Back in America, Prized LSU Football Target Set to Officially Visit

The sought-after prospect will navigate his recruiting process down the stretch with the quartet of Southeastern Conference programs emerging as contenders.

LSU has made it clear that Edwards is the lone running back on the program's 2026 board with the Tigers only dishing out an offer to the Texas native.

He's a priority for the Bayou Bengals and will now receive the red carpet treatment from the program this weekend in Baton Rouge.

LSU's 2026 Recruiting Class currently ranks as the No. 2 class in America headlined by five-star wide receiver Tristen Keys, the top-ranked wideout in the nation.

Which prospects make up LSU's 2026 class?

The Quick Hits: LSU's 2026 Commitments [9]:

Tristen Keys: No. 1 WR in America

Kelly and the LSU Tigers gained a commitment from Keys, the top-ranked wideout in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle, after revealing a decision in March.

The coveted prospect is coming off of an impressive junior campaign where led his Hattiesburg High School squad to a 13-1 record in 2024 after logging 58 receptions for 1,275 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

Keys is rated as the No. 1 wide receiver and a consensus five-star prospect with LSU locking down the program-changing recruit.

Richard Anderson: No. 2 DL in America

Richard pledged to the Tigers in 2024 with the program continuing to keep a foot on the gas for his services. He's fresh off of a monster junior campaign at Edna Karr after leading his program to a state championship victory.

The coveted lineman earned 5A All-State honors after tallying 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, two interceptions and a touchdown in 2024. He's the top pledge in LSU's 2026 Recruiting Class to this point.

Anderson is rated as the No. 2 overall prospect in Louisiana and the No. 27 overall prospect in America.

Aiden Hall: No. 4 Safety in America

Hall committed to Kelly and Co. during his junior campaign where he joined his teammate, Richard Anderson, as LSU pledges in the 2026 class.

The coveted defensive back rounded out his junior season with 38 tackles, including 12 for loss and four sacks, plus four interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, four blocked punts and two fumble recoveries. One of the top safeties in America, LSU will be battling down the stretch for his services.

Hall is rated as the No. 4 overall player in Louisiana and a Top-75 prospect in America.

Jabari Mack: No. 1 WR in Louisiana

Mack, the No. 1 rated wideout in Louisiana, is ranked as a Top-10 receiver in America with Kelly's crew winning out for his services.

LSU earned the pledge over the likes of the Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas A&M Aggies.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder remains one of the most sought-after prospects in America with the Bayou Bengals landing the pledge.

Havon Finney: Top-10 Defensive Back in America

Sierra Canyon (Calif.) cornerback Havon Finney Jr. committed to the LSU Tigers in April after pledging to the program over the USC Trojans.

Finney, a Top-10 cornerback in America, recently reclassified into the 2026 Recruiting Cycle where he will skip his junior campaign.

Finney is coming off of a big-time sophomore season where he finished with 37 tackles, 16 pass break-ups and four interceptions.

Now, the 6-foot-2, 170-pounder has made his move after electing to pledge to the Bayou Bengals prior to his senior campaign.

Dylan Purter: No. 2 Rated Defensive Back in Alabama

Purter, the No. 2 rated defensive back in Alabama, chose the Bayou Bengals over the likes of the Crimson Tide, Florida Gators and the Arkansas Razorbacks, among others.

A 6-foot-1, 175-pounder with tremendous versatility in the defensive backfield, Purter can cover as both a cornerback and safety at the next level.

It's a significant get for Kelly and Co. with the program locking down one of the top players in Alabama with Purter rated as a Top-10 overall recruit in his home-state, according to On3 Sports.

Brysten Martinez: 4-star Offensive Tackle

Gonzales (La.) East Ascension four-star offensive tackle Brysten Martinez has verbally committed to Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, he announced on Feb. 13. He is rated as the No. 8 rated offensive tackle in America and is a Top-75 overall prospect in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle.

The 6-foot-5, 290-pounder selected the Tigers over a myriad of SEC programs including the Alabama Crimson Tide, Texas A&M Aggies and Georgia Bulldogs, among several others.

Martinez is rated as the No. 6 overall prospect in Louisiana and a Top-160 prospect in America.

Kenny Darby: 4-star Wide Receiver

Darby is fresh off of a junior campaign where he landed on the 5A All-State team after logging 100 receptions for 1,764 yards and 24 scores. One of the most prolific receivers in Louisiana, Darby is a player the program remains high on heading into his senior season.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder is a speedy, twitchy wideout that burst on the scene in 2024 with LSU extending an offer. Darby wasted no time in pledging to the program.

Darby is rated as the No. 7 overall prospect in Louisiana and the No. 2 wide receiver.

Jalan Chapman: Coveted Offensive Lineman

Chapman, a three-star prospect out of New Orleans (La.), pledged to the Tigers last summer over Alabama, USC, Georgia and Tennessee, among others.

He currently stands at 6-foot-3, 270 pounds following his junior year for New Orleans (La.) Warren Easton High after gaining national attention following his sophomore campaign in 2023.

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