LSU defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson declares for the NFL draft

Jordan Jefferson became a full-time starter this season when Mekhi Wingo went down.

LSU has now lost two veterans along the defensive line to the NFL draft as defensive tackle [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] announced his intention to go pro. His decision to enter the draft is mostly a formality as he had exhausted his eligibility in five seasons of college football.

A transfer addition this past offseason from West Virginia, where he started 17 games, Jefferson was mostly expected to be a rotational player behind [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag]. However, when Wingo went down midway through the season, Jefferson became a regular starter.

He ultimately started six of the 13 games he appeared in during his lone season in Baton Rouge.

Despite playing a diminished role, Jefferson finished 2023 with a career-high in tackles with 36 (seven for loss) with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Brian Kelly optimistic about the defensive tackle position for 2024

The LSU Tigers currently have nine defensive tackles on the 2023 roster.

The LSU Tigers currently have nine defensive tackles on the 2023 roster. [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag], [autotag]Fitzgerald West Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Bryce Langston[/autotag], [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag], [autotag]Tygee Hill[/autotag], [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag], [autotag]Preston Hickey[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag].

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] added onto that with the addition of [autotag]Shone Washington[/autotag], a transfer from East Mississippi Community College. Who knows how many of those guys will return for next season or how many will leave? We do know that Kelly feels confident about the guys he has on his roster for next fall.

ā€œWe feel good about retention,ā€ Kelly said, per On3. ā€œSo I think both of those things factored into where weā€™re at at the defensive tackle position.ā€

Another factor that could play into the strength of the defensive tackle position is [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] playing in the Tigers bowl game and how that could mean that he will return for his senior season at LSU. With Wingo and a 100% healthy [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag], the Tigers defensive line could make some noise next fall.

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Defensive line depth will pay off for LSU against Alabama

LSU is ready to deal with the loss of Mekhi Wingo thanks to depth up the middle.

[autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] was arguably LSU’s best defender entering the year.

The junior defensive tackle was a Third-Team All-American last year. Opposing coaches raved about how disruptive can be and on top of that, he was chosen to wear the coveted No. 18.

Now, Wingo is out for the year with a chance of returning if LSU somehow manages to make the playoff. Losing Wingo is a blow to an LSU defense that’s already struggled. Wingo was a rare mark of consistency on that side of the ball.

But if there’s any spot on LSU’s defense that’s positioned to handle this, its defensive tackle. LSU’s depth is in a good spot here and with [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] leading the charge, the starting two remain some of the SEC’s best.

Smith got off to a slow start as he worked his way back from a torn ACL a year ago, but now ranks fourth among SEC DTs in PFF pass rush grade.

Jefferson, a West Virginia transfer, has been a revelation for LSU. He’s become one of the more effective players on LSU’s roster, earning praise from [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] earlier this week.

After Smith and Jefferson, you have [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag], a solid piece who’s played over 100 snaps in each of the last three seasons. He’s set for an increased role on Saturday night with Wingo out.

Smith, Jefferson and Guillory will get the bulk of the snaps. Due to a secondary that grows more depleted by the week, LSU will still count on its interior defensive line to be the strength of this defense.

Alabama isn’t dominant up front as it has been in years past. There’s room to disrupt here against an offense that ranks 90th nationally in rushing success rate and a quarterback that takes plenty of sacks.

LSU’s playing on the road as an underdog. A turnover or two will be needed to win this one. That starts with pressure up the middle.

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

BREAKING: LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo likely out for season

Mekhi Wingo will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery, likely ending his season.

LSU received a major blow to its defensive front this week ahead of a crucial matchup against Alabama.

Defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag], who suffered a lower-body injury in the win over Army in Week 8, is likely out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. According to coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], he will be out for six weeks.

Wingo posted on social media that he could potentially return for the College Football Playoff if LSU were to end the season on an immaculate run. For the time being, however, his loss will certainly impact LSU heading into a game that could determine its season.

Wingo was a transfer addition from Missouri in 2022. Though he was expected to play a reserve role, he was thrust into the starting lineup when [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] tore his ACL on the opening drive of the season.

He went on to have a breakout campaign, earning All-SEC honors, and he had arguably been LSU’s best defensive player so far this season. Without him, the team will turn to [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] to play next to Smith.

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Injury Report: Pair of LSU starters out for Army game in Week 8

Emery Jones and Mekhi Wingo are officially out for Saturday’s game against Army.

LSU is getting a much-needed break from SEC play this weekend as it hosts Army in Baton Rouge in Week 8.

The Tigers are a bit banged up, and they’ll have what should be a tuneup game and then the bye to get healthy. Still, they’ll be down some key players this weekend.

On Thursday’s injury report, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] confirmed that both starting defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] and starting right tackle [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] will be out this weekend. LSU will, however, get rotational receiver [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag] back after he missed a few games with a high ankle sprain.

Without Jones, [autotag]Lance Heard[/autotag] will make his first start at right tackle after putting in some good reps last week in Jones’ absence. Without Wingo, [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] will likely play an even bigger role in the interior.

LSU plays host to Army on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. CT in a game that will be televised on the SEC Network.

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Brian Kelly discusses Maason Smith’s progress

Brian Kelly continues to see progress from Maason Smith.

As [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] continues to settle in, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] discussed his progress at a press conference on Monday.

Smith made his 2023 debut in Week 2 against Grambling. The trip to Mississippi State was his first test against FBS competition since tearing his ACL in the 2022 opener.

Hype has surrounded Smith from the moment he arrived as a five-star in 2021. He’s lauded for his combination of size and speed up front.

The injury in 2022 came just as he was prepared to take on a bigger role and then a suspension in the 2023 opener set him back one more week.

Kelly likes what he saw from Smith against Mississippi State, saying he’s beginning to impact the game more and more.

Smith played 29 snaps against MSU. He didn’t record a pressure or sack but did bat a pass and notch a tackle.

LSU’s interior defensive line is strong with [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] up there, too, so there hasn’t been a ton of pressure placed on Smith yet.

He has the potential to be a real difference maker for LSU as conference play heats up.

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Brian Kelly ‘giddy’ to have Maason Smith back on the field in Week 2 against Grambling

Maason Smith will return on Saturday night after serving a one-game NCAA suspension.

It wasn’t the reason the Tigers lost on Sunday night against Florida State, but Maason Smith’s absence certainly played a role as LSU’s defense struggled to slow the Seminoles down in the second half.

Smith was serving a one-game NCAA suspension in the opener, but he’ll be back on the field on Saturday night against Grambling for his first game action since tearing his ACL in last season’s opener.

Coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] couldn’t contain his excitement when asked about Smith’s impending return on Tuesday.

ā€œGiddy,ā€Ā Kelly said. ā€œIs that a good enough word? Iā€™d say gritty but giddy is the best I could come up with in one word. No, I mean, he obviously impacts our defense. You know, he allows us to do different things, heā€™s a guy that can play the five-technique, he can play the three, he can play the one, the zero. I mean, his flexibility on our defense provides a new dimension that weā€™re excited about getting him back.ā€

Still, Kelly isn’t going to rush Smith back into a major workload given that he’s still not quite 100% after recovering from a knee injury.

ā€œI think that we have the be realistic,ā€ Kelly said on Wednesday during theĀ SEC Coaches Teleconference, according to On3. ā€œWhen you havenā€™t played in over a year, heā€™s not going to be able to play the duration of the game. If we can get somewhere near 30 snaps, weā€™d be really excited about that. Again, heā€™s practicing for us but itā€™s going to take a little bit of time. Hopefully, we can get somewhere in that range of quality snaps from him and give him the chance to impact the game.ā€

[autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag], [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] held down the interior on Sunday night, but Smith’s talent and versatility should provide a major boost to this defense going forward.

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Joel Klatt becomes latest media figure to criticize NCAA’s ‘stupid’ suspension of Maason Smith

Joel Klatt joined the chorus of people slamming the NCAA’s decison to suspend Maason Smith.

It’s been discussed at length at this point that LSU will be without star defensive tackle [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] against Florida State, who will have to wait one more week to return from the field.

He was suspended for the opener after he reportedly received improper benefits at an autograph signing more than two years ago just before the advent of name, image and likeness rights.

The NCAA’s decision to suspend Smith, who would have served his suspension last fall had he not been injured, has been the subject of quite a bit of criticism.

Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt became the latest to do so during his show on Monday.

ā€œThis is such a stupid ruling from the NCAA,ā€ Klatt said. ā€œLetā€™s just go through it from this standpoint: The NCAA will technically call this an impermissible benefit. Now, if this were LSU straight paying for his electric bill? Maybe you could, maybe, convince me, like, ā€˜Hey, thatā€™s an impermissible benefitā€™. Okay, maybe if someone paid him 10 grand directly for nothing. He didnā€™t tweet, appear, nothing. It was just like, ā€˜Hey man! Hereā€™s the old school ā€˜rememberĀ the programā€, you get the envelope, and itā€™s hereā€™s ten grand in an envelope for nothing. Maybe, maybe. But, again, the world is changing. This was, literally, in the grand scheme of things, a whisper before the NIL legislation changed thingsĀ in terms of name, image, and likeness, a whisper before that.ā€

Klatt said he was specifically frustrated to see the NCAA come down hard in a case like this, especially given the circumstances and changing landscape in college football.

ā€œHe goes and signs his name and gets paid for it! And the NCAA blows the whistle? Are you crazy, insane, or stupid? Probably all three,ā€ Klatt said. ā€œIt is mind-blowing to me that they think that this is, like, ā€˜Ha! Yep. We got him!ā€™. Are you serious? Are you serious? Youā€™ve heard me say, and I will continue to say, we are in the middle of a long string of dominoes that are toppling over and those are instances in which everybody gets their eyes opened and their frustrations up with the inept bureaucracy which is the NCAA. This is another one of those dominoes.

ā€œMaason Smith gets a one-game suspension,Ā heā€™s their best player, in one of their most important games of the year. So, like, the NCAA is going to butt in onĀ the actual competitive nature of the season because the guy signed his name, a whisper before the NIL legislation changed? Are you kidding me??? Are you kidding me? Spare me the ā€˜letter of the lawā€™ crap! This is about understanding whatā€™s going on in the larger sense. In the larger sense, the NCAA is a robotic bureaucracy! This is just one instance.ā€

Regardless of frustration surrounding his suspension, LSU will instead have to turn to players like [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] and transfers [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag] to step up without Smith available for a top-10 matchup.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Brian Kelly addresses plan against Florida State without Maason Smith

LSU will turn to several depth players to pick up the slack without the suspended Maason Smith, who still isn’t 100%.

LSU will be without one of its top defensive players for the season opener against Florida State as defensive tackle [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] will be suspended for receiving improper benefits at an autograph signing in July 2021.

Smith is still recovering from a torn ACL, which was suffered in last year’s season-opener against Florida State. Even had Smith been eligible for the contest, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said Monday that he hasn’t been a full participant in practice and still isn’t 100%.

He added that Smith would have been listed as questionable on the injury report this week.

Without Smith in the lineup, LSU will turn to a pair of transfers in [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag], as well as redshirt junior [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag].

“We would love for Maason Smith to be playing in this game, he’s an outstanding football player,” Kelly said. “But we really are pleased with the growth and development of our defensive line. Guys that we haven’t talked a lot about, (West Virginia transfer Jordan) Jefferson has been outstanding in camp, we think he’s physical, plays really strong at the point of attack.

“(Jacobian) Guillory’s been outstanding, first-step quickness, his ability to gain penetration, he’s going to be a handful. And (Florida transfer Jalen) Lee has been one of the surprises… He didn’t have a great spring, he worked harder in the weight room, and he’s done a nice job for us in terms of adding to the depth at that defensive tackle position.”

LSU will hope Smith is back competing at a high level after Week 1, but in the meantime, we’ll get to see some unfamiliar faces line up next to [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag].

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1389]

Contact/Follow usĀ @LSUTigersWireĀ on Twitter, and like our page onĀ FacebookĀ to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 99 Jordan Jefferson

Jordan Jefferson appeared in 42 games, starting 17 in his four seasons at West Virginia.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigersā€™ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play forĀ Brian KellyĀ this season.

We’re looking at one of several defensive transfer additions in [autotag]Jordan Jefferson[/autotag] (no, not that one), who comes in from West Virginia. A veteran nose tackle, Jefferson appeared in 42 games in four years in Morgantown, making 17 starts. He should provide key depth up front for the Tigers this fall

Jordan Jefferson Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Navarre, Florida

Ht: 6-4

Wt: 317

247Sports Composite Ranking

Unrated

Class in 2022: Junior

Career Stats

Year G Total Solo TFL Sacks FF PD INT
2019 (West Virginia) 11 5 3 1 0 0 1 0
2020 (West Virginia) 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 (West Virginia) 13 17 7 4 0.5 0 1 0
2022 (West Virginia) 12 31 13 9.5 3 0 5 0

Depth Chart Overview

Following three seasons as a rotational player for the Mountaineers, Jefferson became a full-time starter in 2022. He recorded the most productive season of his career, totaling 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and five passes defended.

LSU has its starting defensive tackle duo set in [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag], but Jefferson will provide key depth along with veteran [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag].

Jefferson’s experience could come in handy as Smith will be suspended for the opener against Florida State, which could push the transfer into the starting lineup.

Jordan Jefferson’s Photo Gallery