Tag: dashawn womack

LSU adds to transfer portal class with veteran Nebraska pass rusher

LSU added another defender in the portal, securing a commitment from DE Jimari Butler

LSU football was busy in the transfer portal on Saturday, securing three commitments from Power Four transfers. The third commitment came from Nebraska defensive end Jimari Butler. On3’s Hayes Fawcett broke the news on social media.

Butler is the first front-seven addition for LSU this transfer season. Defensive end is a position of need with [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] moving on to the NFL and [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] transferring to Ole Miss.

Butler, who has one year of eligibility remaining, chose LSU over Florida State and Texas A&M.

According to PFF, Butler notched 22 pressures in 2024, ranking 26th among Big Ten edge defenders. In his time with the Huskers, he notched nine sacks and 33 stops.

Butler brings a much-needed veteran presence to LSU’s defensive line. The Tigers aren’t done in the portal, but he has a chance to earn a starting spot next to Gabe Reliford, who’s coming off an impressive freshman campaign.

LSU’s busy day began with former Florida cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson signing on Saturday morning before former Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown put pen to paper on Saturday afternoon.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly said the Tigers would be aggressive in the transfer portal. Actions have reflected that so far.

Former LSU five-star defensive end transfers to SEC rival

A former LSU defensive end is on the move but remaining in the SEC

After entering the transfer portal, [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] officially chose his next school.

On3 reported that Womack will transfer to Ole Miss on Thursday after entering the portal on December 3.

A five-star recruit in the 2023 class, Womack was a rotational piece but never quite found a full-time role. In his freshman season, he totaled 12 appearances with 13 tackles. Though he made eight appearances with eight tackles in 2024, Womack was listed as “Out” on the team’s availability report ahead of its matchup with Florida on November 16. Womack’s last appearance came against Alabama on November 9.

With two defensive ends off to the NFL in Bradyn Swinson and Sai’Vion Jones, Womack could’ve worked his way into a starting role with the Tigers. He has the talent and tools to become a future first-round pick. However, his departure leaves LSU needing to rebuild depth at defensive end.

Womack will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, dubbed the “portal king,” built the No. 1 ranked transfer portal class last season, giving the Rebels their third-straight top-three transfer class. Ole Miss roped in former LSU quarterback Waker Howard prior to the 2024 season, but he is already on the move to his next school in Louisiana.

Why LSU makes sense for five-star transfer Williams Nwaneri

Williams Nwaneri was one of the top recruits in 2024. Here’s why a transfer to LSU makes sense.

A big name hit the portal on Tuesday — Missouri EDGE Williams Nwaneri hopped in.

Nwaneri was one of the top prospects in the 2024 recruiting class. According to 247Sports, he was the No. 6 overall recruit in the class and No. 2 at his position. He signed with Missouri, where he was recruited by current LSU coaches [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] and Kevin Peoples.

Given LSU’s need at defensive end, along with Nwaneri’s ties to Baker and Peoples, LSU makes sense.

Nwaneri didn’t see the field much as a true freshman. He played in just four games and never saw more than ten defensive snaps in conference play. Most of his action came against UMass and Murray State. In 38 snaps, Nwaneri registered two pressures, a sack, and a stop.

It’s rare for a talent of Nwaneri’s caliber to hit the portal, especially with several years of eligibility remaining. That’s something LSU needs to prioritize, especially with all the exits from the 2023 recruiting class.

If LSU can land Nwaneri, it gains a talented player at a major position of need. People’s tracked record speaks for itself when it comes to developing pass rushers. Even if Nwaneri is more of a project than once thought, LSU could be the right situation for a breakout.

With [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] moving on to the NFL and [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] in the transfer portal, LSU needs an influx of talent at EDGE.

LSU will host Purdue DE Will Heldt on a visit and has expressed interest in Kent State’s Kameron Olds.

Portal Update: LSU DE Da’Shawn Womack planning to transfer

Five-star LSU DE Da’Shawn Womack is hitting the transfer portal

The transfer portal news continues out of LSU where defensive end [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] is the latest Tiger to hit the transfer portal. 

Womack was a five-star recruit in the class of 2023. Womack didn’t take long to enter the rotation as a true freshman. He finished with eight pressures and two sacks in 79 snaps last year.

In 2024, Womack took a step forward but didn’t start with [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] holding down the starting edge spots. Womack totaled 13 pressures and two sacks in 100 snaps this year.

Womack’s talent is undeniable. When he’s on the field, he has all the tools of a future first-round pick. LSU doesn’t want to lose a guy like this, especially with Womack preparing to enter his junior year. If Womack puts it all together, he’s going to be a serious player.

LSU was deep at the defensive end this year, thanks to guys like Womack providing depth. Swinson and Jones are off to the NFL now while Womack looks for another home.

It’s a clear position of need for LSU as we enter the transfer season.

5 takeaways from LSU’s Week 5 win over South Alabama

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama.

LSU took care of business on Saturday night, beating South Alabama 42-10 to cover a 20.5-point spread and move to 4-1 on the year.

It was LSU’s final nonconference contest of 2024. The Tigers went 3-1 in those games with the only loss coming in the opener to USC.

Thanks to LSU scheduling USC and UCLA, this was just LSU’s second game vs. a school not in the Power Four. LSU didn’t play up to standard in its first such game, playing with its food against Nicholls. LSU didn’t do that on Saturday night, coming out strong and starting fast.

The emphatic win should ease some concerns heading into the bye week. For the first time all year, LSU played a complete game. The Tigers were explosive and efficient on offense and allowed just 10 points on defense. That’s what you want to see.

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama before LSU’s season heats up coming out of the bye.

Caden Durham is a rising star

LSU has something special in [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag]. The true freshman looked the part and wasted no time making his mark on Saturday.

On LSU’s first play from scrimmage, Durham took a 71-yard swing pass to the house. On the next drive, Durham opened with an 86-yard burst that set LSU up at the one.

That was 157 yards on two plays to start the game for Durham. Pretty good.

Durham showcases a rare blend of speed and power at running back. He was a track star in high school and the wheels show up every time he finds a crease. Durham is ahead of schedule and that could be big for LSU with conference play heating up.

LSU stopped the run

There were concerns about LSU’s ability to slow South Alabama on the ground. The Jaguar rushing attack was among the most efficient in the nation entering week five and a few have found success running the ball on LSU.

But the LSU defense came to play. South Alabama ran it 33 times for 3.2 yards per carry. South Alabama’s EPA/rush of -0.22 put the Jags in the 15th percentile.

According to GameOnPaper.com, LSU didn’t allow a single explosive run.

LSU linebacker Greg Penn led the way. According to PFF, he notched 11 tackles, ranking first among SEC LBs in week five.

Garrett Nussmeier was prolific

Garrett Nussmeier racked up 409 yards in the win — a career-high for the redshirt junior and his first time surpassing the 400-yard mark. With 1,652 passing yards, Nussmeier sits second in the SEC. He leads the league in passing touchdowns with 15.

Nussmeier was expected to put up big numbers against a middling South Alabama defense and he did just that.

He threw two picks, but it’s hard to find much else wrong with this performance. Nussmeier finished 26 of 39 with 409 yards and two scores.

LSU front seven gets busy

LSU racked up three more sacks on Saturday, continuing a red-hot stretch for the front seven.

[autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] led the way with six pressures while [autotag]Gabe Reliford[/autotag], [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag], [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag] all had three.

LSU’s defense isn’t perfect, but this group has proven it can put pressure on the quarterback. They’ll need to develop some key plays once LSU gets deep into SEC play.

LSU plays a complete game

All year, we’ve been waiting for LSU to put the package together. No matter the opponent, level, or conference, LSU needed it to show it could string four consistent quarters together on both sides of the ball.

Saturday was the most dominant LSU’s looked all year. The Tigers raced to 21 points in the first quarter and added 14 more in the second. That gave LSU a 35-3 lead at halftime.

The foot came off the gas a little in the second half, but the damage was already done.

LSU finished with 667 yards on the day — 430 through the air and 237 on the ground.

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Multiple LSU starters out for Saturday’s game at South Carolina in Week 3

The Tigers are a bit banged up heading into their SEC opener on Saturday.

LSU will begin SEC play on Saturday in Columbia against South Carolina, and it will be a bit shorthanded.

According to the Tigers’ pregame availability report, starting receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] and starting safety [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag] are out for Saturday’s game. For Hilton, it will mark his third straight missed game to begin the season.

[autotag]Kyle Parker[/autotag] wasn’t listed on the availability report and will likely make the start in Hilton’s place after missing last week’s game. Without Allen, the Tigers will likely turn to [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag], who moved back to safety this week, to fill in.

Edge rusher [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] is also out, while [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] was listed as probable and [autotag]West Weeks[/autotag] remains questionable.

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LSU begins SEC play against the Gamecocks on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

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LSU vs. South Carolina: Week 3 injury report ahead of Tigers’ SEC opener

The Tigers have a pretty lengthy injury list as they hit the road to face South Carolina.

LSU is heading to Columbia, South Carolina, to begin SEC play with an 11 a.m. kickoff against the Gamecocks with College GameDay in town.

It will be the Tigers’ first trip to play South Carolina since 2008, and they could potentially be a bit shorthanded. Thursday’s injury report included quite a few players, including starters [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] — who missed the first two games with a bone bruise — and [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag].

Two defensive players, [autotag]Dashawn Womack[/autotag] and [autotag]West Weeks[/autotag], were also listed on Thursday’s injury report for the first time. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said Womack was moving around in practice on Thursday and will be a game-time decision.

Here’s the full injury report for LSU entering Week 3 against the Gamecocks.

Injury Report

  • John Emery Jr., RB — Out
  • Princeton Malbrue, DE — Out
  • Kobe Roberts, OL — Out
  • Jake Ibieta, LB — Out
  • CJ Jackson, DE — Out
  • Jacobian Guillory, DT — Out
  • Chris Hilton Jr., WR — Questionable
  • Jordan Allen, S — Questionable
  • Kyle Parker, WR — Questionable
  • Da’Shawn Womack, DE — Questionable
  • West Weeks, LB — Questionable
  • Garrett Dellinger, OL — Probable

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Brian Kelly says LSU expecting young guys to take next step on defense

LSU and Brian Kelly are expecting a group of young defenders to take a step in 2024.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] knows his defense wasn’t up to par last year. It led to a change-up with the entire defensive staff with Kelly firing defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] and hiring [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag]. Along with Baker, LSU brought in [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag] and [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag]. Two of the most heralded assistant coaches in the country.

“We know that defensively, we need to reach a higher level of play,” Kelly told the SEC Network on Monday morning.

“We played a lot of young guys on defense that we expect to take that next step this year,” Kelly said.

LSU didn’t land many top prospects in the transfer portal, so LSU will be counting on the development of the younger defenders to be the answer on defense.

Eight underclassmen played 70 snaps or more on defense for LSU last year. The biggest name in that group is [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag], who has All-American potential as he enters his junior year.

Up front, LSU will need a step forward from [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag]. The former five-star recruit showed flashes in 2023, but will have a bigger opportunity in 2024.

On the backend, defensive backs [autotag]Ashton Stamps[/autotag] and [autotag]Javien Toviano[/autotag] fit the same bill. Both were thrown into the fire as true freshmen last year and it’s hard to imagine the LSU secondary finding success if they don’t contribute this fall.

LSU remains talented and has the chance for a strong young core of defenders to emerge this fall. If it all comes together, expect to see LSU back in the College Football Playoff.

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Da’Shawn Womack listed as potential sleeper for LSU in 2024

Da’Shawn Womack could be poised for a big second season at LSU.

[autotag]ESPN[/autotag] recently released a list of players that most people do not know about that you should learn about before the start of the 2024 season. One of those “sleeper picks” plays at LSU.

[autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] is the sleeper pick ESPN has listed in their article. Last year as a freshman, Womack played in 12 out of 13 games and recorded 13 total tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The defensive end from Baltimore has a new defensive coordinator this fall as [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] returns to LSU. That personnel move gives me hope that Womack will have a great season. Here is what ESPN’s Mark Schlabach had to say about him.

“Sophomore Da’Shawn Womack was one of the most highly rated pass rushers in the Class of 2023. The Baltimore native showed spurts of production as a freshman, finishing with 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 12 games.

He was used mostly on third downs last season, and the Tigers are hoping he’ll become an every-down player if their defense is going to improve under first-year coordinator Blake Baker. The Tigers ranked 13th in the SEC in scoring defense (28 points), passing defense (255.6 yards) and total defense (416.6 yards) in 2023. If Womack can emerge as an elite pass rusher, it will make All-America candidate Harold Perkins Jr. even more dangerous.”

Womack will start for LSU this fall and hopefully, he will start the season off with a win against USC.

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LSU’s DaShawn Womack listed as a potential 2nd-year star

Da’Shawn Womack appeared in every game as a true freshman, and the former five-star could be poised for a breakout.

LSU saw a lot of losses on defense from a unit that already struggled in 2023, and if it’s going to take a leap this fall under first-year coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag], it’s going to require some development from the young players currently on the roster.

One player who could take a big leap this year along the defensive line is [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag], a sophomore EDGE  from Baltimore. A five-star prospect coming out of high school, Womack appeared in 13 games mostly as a third-down situational player.

He finished the year with 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, but he could be poised to do a lot more in 2024. CBS Sports’ Will Backus listed Womack as a potential second-year star in college football this season.

LSU’s defensive issues are well-publicized at this point. The Tigers struggled in big games and weren’t great at getting after the passer outside of Harold Perkins Jr., who profiles more as a box linebacker with elite pass-rushing tendencies. A big leap from Wommack, who had 1.5 sacks in 12 games a freshman, would be a much-needed salve. Wommack, who boasts an explosive first step, has all the tools to be a consistent terror off the edge.

LSU certainly faces some questions along the defensive line particularly, but if a player like Womack can step up, it would certainly ease those concerns.

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