LSU Lands 2026 3-Star Edge Rusher DeAnthony Lafayette: Could He Be the Next Game-Changer?

In a flurry of excitement that had Tigers fans buzzing all day, LSU’s recruiting machine roared to life once again on Thursday. Brian Kelly and his coaching squad didn’t just stop at one – they secured not one, but two promising defensive talents to join their growing ranks for the 2026 season. Fresh off the heels of five-star sensation Lamar Brown’s commitment, Orlando’s own DeAnthony Lafayette jumped on board, choosing LSU over formidable contenders Miami and Oklahoma. This three-star edge rusher, standing at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, adds another vital piece to the defensive puzzle for coach Kelly and his staff, who clearly mean business as they aim to tighten their defensive line. With 16 strong commits already locked in, the Tigers’ 2026 class is shaping up to be a force to reckon with on the national stage. Exciting times are ahead in Baton Rouge, and the momentum is only gaining steam. LEARN MORE

Here’s an updated look at LSU’s 2026 recruiting class after Lafayette’s commitment, per 247Sports:Lafayette is icing on the cake for Kelly, defensive coordinator Blake Baker and the rest of the LSU coaching staff. Defensive line is a major need for the current recruiting cycle for LSU and adding Lafayette into the mix continues to help them fill that.Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at [email protected].LSU LANDS FIVE_STAR DEFENSIVE LINEMANA three-star prospect from Orlando, Florida, Lafayette was the second defensive lineman to announce his commitment to LSU on Thursday, closely following five-star defensive end Lamar Brown, who held his ceremony live on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” from University Lab High School in Baton Rouge.

LSU now has 16 commitments in the 2026 recruiting class, a group that ranks No. 7 in college football. There are four defensive linemen pledged to play for the Tigers, including Lafayette, in the 2026 recruiting class. Brown, four-star Richard Anderson and five-star Trenton Henderson round out the rest of that group.

DeAnthony Lafayette 247sports recruiting rankings

• Star rating: Three
• National ranking: No. 794
• Positional ranking: No. 74
• State ranking: No. 103

Lafayette (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) picked the Tigers over Miami and Oklahoma.

LSU football 2026 recruiting class

BATON ROUGE — Make it two for Brian Kelly and his LSU football staff Thursday.

• Tristen Keys: Five-star WR
• Lamar Brown: Five-star DL
• Richard Anderson: Four-star DL
• Havon Finney: Four-star CB
• Jabari Mack: Four-star WR
• Aiden Hall: Four-star S
• Trenton Henderson: Four-star EDGE
• Brysten Martinez: Four-star OT
• Kenny Darby: Four-star WR
• Dylan Purter: Four-star W
• Emanuel Tucker: Four-star OT
• Bryson Cooley: Four-star OT
• Dezyrian Ellis: Three-star CB
• DeAnthony Lafayette: Three-star EDGE
• Isaiah Washington: Three-star S
• Jalan Chapman: Three-star IOL

The Tigers landed their second recruiting commitment of the day when edge rusher DeAnthony Lafayette announced his verbal pledge on social media.