Whit Weeks return to LSU football makes Tigers run defense elite
Whit Weeks will be back with LSU football in 2026. Here's the impact Weeks made on the Tigers' run defense in 2025.
LSU football's 2026 defense was boosted by the return of star linebacker Whit Weeks. The veteran defender turned down the NFL and opted to return to Baton Rouge for his senior season. Weeks is expected to be one of the top linebackers in the country and a potential first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
When Weeks was on the field in 2025, he was good. But he battled injuries throughout the fall, and when Weeks was out, LSU's defense wasn't the same. Let's take a look at the numbers to put Weeks' impact in perspective.
With Weeks, LSU's defense held opponents to 2. 64 yards per rush. Without Weeks, LSU allowed 4.
54 yards per carry. That's a stark difference of over two yards per carry. LSU and Weeks allowed a rushing success rate of 35%, but with Weeks off the field, the mark was 43%.