LSU Snags Elite 5-Star Pass Rusher, Leaving UF and Miami Stunned in 2026 Recruiting Battle

The decision from Henderson gives head coach Brian Kelly’s staff momentum heading into the fall of the 2026 cycle. LSU has a chance to land the No. 1-ranked class in college football. That means holding onto wide receiver Tristen Keys and earning a commitment from five-star Lamar Brown.

There’s a fresh spark of excitement swirling through the LSU football program, and it’s all thanks to a new powerhouse commit shaking up the 2026 recruiting landscape. Trenton Henderson, an edge rusher with five-star pedigree, just pledged his talents to the Tigers, choosing Baton Rouge over heavy hitters Texas and Miami. Hailing from Pensacola, Florida, Henderson didn’t just settle — he carefully weighed his options after official visits to all three schools this past summer, but something about LSU’s pitch clearly resonated. Analysts have pegged him as a top-tier defensive end, a rare blend of size and explosive potential, the kind of game-changing player every program dreams about landing. For Brian Kelly and staff, this commitment isn’t just another name on the roster; it fills a glaring hole on the defensive front and injects serious momentum as the Tigers eye the top spot in the national recruiting class rankings. With key pieces like wide receiver Tristen Keys still in play and star prospects like Lamar Brown on the horizon, LSU’s 2026 haul is shaping up to be something special — and yep, this certainly feels like a turning point. LEARN MORELSU football struck again on Wednesday, adding a five-star recruit to the 2026 class. Edge rusher Trenton Henderson announced his commitment to the Tigers via YouTube.Henderson fills a massive need in LSU’s 2026 class as he’s the first edge rusher to join the fold. He’s the second defensive lineman, joining five-star and Louisiana native Richard Henderson.

Henderson is rated a five-star prospect by 247 Sports and the No. 4 defensive end in the class. He is the No. 28 overall recruit and No. 5 out of Florida. On3/Rivals isn’t quite as high on the pass rusher, but Henderson is a consensus top-10 player at his position.The Pensacola, FL native picked LSU over Texas and Miami. Henderson took official visits to all three schools this summer, but momentum had been working in LSU’s favor for a few days.

“Sprouting linebacker that can get after the quarterback as he comes screaming around the corner. Size has not been third-party verified, but is believed to be over 6-foot-4 and tipping the scales right around 225 pounds. Took a major step forward between sophomore and junior seasons – evoking much more confidence and physicality,” wrote 247Sports’ scout Andrew Irvins.