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LSU Defense: Baker's Unit Aims for Elite Status
13 Aug
Summary
- Blake Baker's defense improved significantly since 2023.
- LSU's defense shows depth at every position for 2026.
- Key players like Ty Benefield and Whit Weeks lead the unit.
LSU's defense is making significant strides in fall camp, with coordinator Blake Baker targeting elite status for the 2026 season. Since Baker's arrival in January 2024, the defense has seen a dramatic statistical turnaround. In 2023, the unit ranked 78th nationally in scoring defense; by Baker's first season, it improved to 59th and continued to advance, showing national rankings in sacks and red-zone defense.
Year two under Baker marked a significant leap, with LSU's scoring defense ranking 13th nationally early in the 2025 season. The team finished 2025 fifth in the SEC in scoring defense and sixth in total defense. Fall camp is crucial for translating this progress into consistent performance, with key positions like safety and defensive line needing continued development.
