Entering 2024, there were questions about LSU football’s defensive tackle room. The position was a strength for LSU in 2022 and 2023 with Mekhi Wingo, Mason Smith, and Jordan Jefferson leading the way, but the Tigers lost all three to the NFL after the 23 season.
LSU swung big on top portal prospects, but missed on Simeon Barrow and Damonic Williams. LSU took Gio Paez from Wisconsin and Jay’Viar Suggs from the D-II level, along with a group of talented freshmen. The lone returning player with real SEC experience was Jacobian Guillory, but he suffered a season-ending injury in week two.
The Tigers’ defensive line punched above its weight the remainder of the year. Paez improved on his play from Wisconsin, Suggs made an impact as a pass rusher, and Paris Shand played admirably as a versatile defender, working inside and on the edge. Ahmad Breux and Dominick McKinley were thrown into the fire as true freshmen and delivered.
The group will look different in 2025. There was a coaching change with Bo Davis leaving for the New Orleans Saints, and former LSU star Kyle Williams stepping in. Paez, Suggs, and Shand are all gone, but Guillory, Breaux, and McKinley are back. The Tigers hit the transfer portal, too.
Here’s a look at what LSU football’s defensive tackle rotation will look like.
Who will be LSU’s top defensive tackle?
When it comes to the top producer, two names stand out.
Jacobian Guillory
Guillory has been around a long time. LSU offered Guillory on February 25, 2018. At that point, Ed Orgeron had only coached one full year at LSU, and Joe Burrow was still at Ohio State. Guillory is a Louisiana native and was a blue-chip recruit, ranking as the No. 9 defensive tackle in his class.
He played one defensive snap as a true freshman, but emerged as a rotational piece in 2021. Guillory saw his role increase in 2022 and 2023 and was expected to be LSU’s clear-cut No. 1 in 2024. A lower body injury soiled those plans and Guillory opted to return for his sixth year of college football.
If Guillory is healthy, his combination of talent and experience makes him the best player in this group. He’s listed at 320 pounds and has been in a SEC strength and conditioning program for six years now. According to PFF, he was one of the best-tackling defensive tackles in the SEC in 2023. He posted a tackling grade of 82.3 and owned a 7.1% stop rate vs. the run.
Guillory has some pass-rush prowess with 25 career pressures and two sacks. LSU won’t overwork the veteran as he returns from an injury, but Guillory has a chance to play 400+ snaps if he’s up to the task.
Dominick McKinley
McKinley, a five-star recruit, is one of the most talented players on LSU’s roster. He wasn’t an early enrollee, and he dealt with an injury in fall camp, which slowed the true freshman upon arriving at LSU, but by the end of 2024, McKinley was a fixture on LSU’s defense.
McKinley played 58 snaps over LSU’s final three games and 146 total on the year. Against Vanderbilt, he registered two pressures and two stops. The next week, in LSU’s regular season finale vs. Oklahoma, Brian Kelly called McKinley “unblockable” as he sacked the QB twice and made three stops.
Now with a full offseason in the program and healthy, McKinley has the upside to be a superstar. If McKinley breaks out in 2025, he won’t just be the best defensive tackle on LSU’s roster; he’ll be one of the best in the SEC.
What should LSU expect from Ahmad Breaux?
McKinley wasn’t even LSU’s top freshman on the defensive line in 2024. That title belonged to Ahmad Breaux, who played 294 snaps. Kelly spoke highly of Breaux last Summer, saying the youngster was physically ready to play. Kelly was right. Breaux made a couple of starts and played 30+ snaps a few times.
Breaux finished 2024 with six pressures and 13 stops, and with Kyle Williams taking over as defensive line coach, Breaux is reunited with his high school defensive coordinator.
Breaux doesn’t have the upside of McKinely or the experience of Guillory, but he’s a guy who can be on the field in any situation, solid vs. the run and the pass. Breaux will see 250+ snaps again this fall.
How much will LSU rely on transfer portal addition Bernard Gooden?
Many thought LSU would remain quiet in the spring portal, but Kelly and staff continued to make moves as LSU upgraded its defense. That included the addition of former USF defensive tackle Bernard Gooden.
On3 ranked Gooden as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the portal.
Gooden projects to be LSU’s top interior pass rusher after racking up 35 pressures with USF in 2024. Gooden will compete for a starting role, but I’m hesitant to say he could be LSU’s best defensive tackle given his inconsistent play vs. the run. Tiger fans should expect Gooden to excel in pass rush situations and provide aggressive play on the interior.
Where does LSU find depth?
The four players mentioned here will see the bulk of the action, but LSU will have to find depth.
Shone Washington returns after playing 113 snaps. Washington recorded two pressures and six tackles and has the size to play SEC football. Also look out for Sydir Mitchell, a Texas transfer. Mitchell is 6-foot-6 and stands at 370 pounds. You can’t coach that size.
LSU added talent to the room from the high-school level, but with the experience LSU has returning, it would be a surprise to see any freshman get significant playing time at defensive tackle.
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