LSU football needs four-star defensive end to boost depth
LSU football lacks proven depth at defensive end. Lane Kiffin's Tigers will count on young players to step up.
LSU football lacks depth at the defensive end position. The Tigers signed two prized transfers -- former Ole Miss pass rusher Princewill Umanmielen and ex-Tennessee edge Jordan Ross -- but LSU didn't add much down the depth chart. LSU was counting on the return of Gabe Reliford until Reliford tore his ACL in the spring.
That left LSU even thinner. Now, pressure is on a couple of inexperienced defensive ends to emerge. A name to watch could be Damien Shanklin.
Shanklin signed with LSU in 2025 as a four-star recruit. Shanklin was the No. 234 overall-ranked recruit and top-30 at his position.
Shanklin didn't play much as a true freshman, only seeing the field for 10 defensive snaps. He notched two sacks in garbage time vs. SE Louisiana.