GAME 1 – Saturday, Sept 5, 2026
At HOME vs Louisiana Highlights
SEC YouTube
WIN – 51 – 10
Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4EXb0jEpE4
GAME 1 – Saturday, Sept 5, 2026
At HOME vs Clemson Tigers
WIN – 51 – 10
Sept 6 – Scouts in attendance at Clemson game
Colts, Jaguars, and Dolphins
Sept 7 – The Athletic – NY Times
Video: Ty Benefield vs. Clemson
Watch the 0:16 video here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/video/gCBj1De9eQnJonn/
Sept 8 – Crescent City Sports
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly from LSU’s rout of Clemson
The LSU defense took advantage of the retooled Clemson offensive line. Edge rusher Jordan Ross scored an FBS eighth-best 94 PFF grade among edge rushers. He had four pressures, four stops, two tackles for loss, one sack and a 30-yard pick-six. His edge-mate, Princewell Umanmielen, totaled six tackles, a pair of sacks, two tackles for loss and a 91 pass-rush grade. Linebacker and Ole Miss transfer T.J. Dottery had five stops and a 91.3 overall mark.
Boise State transfer Ty Benefield was given a 76.9 PFF grade.
FYI – The PFF Grading Scale
PFF evaluates player grades on a 0 to 100 scale based on how well they execute their assignment on every individual play: [1, 2]
- 90+: Elite (All-American or future high-round NFL draft pick level)
- 80–89: Very Good / High quality (All-Conference level)
- 70–79: Good / Above-Average (Solid starter or reliable contributor)
- 60–69: Average (Backup or replacement-level player)
- Below 60: Below average to poor [1]
Sept 9 – HJ News
Photo only by Matthew Hinton
Sept 9 – On3.com
LSU announces 40 athletes joining Nike’s Blue Ribbon Elite program through NIL deals
LSU is the latest school to announce its 2026-27 Blue Ribbon Elite NIL class. Alabama announced 18 athletes came aboard through the initiative as Nike continues to expand its reach in the NIL space ahead of this academic year. Through the program, athletes at Nike partner schools can sign NIL deals with the apparel giant.
Football (11)
Ty Benefield, Harlem Berry, Jayce Brown, Lamar Brown, Caden Durham, Trey’Dez Green, Husan Longstreet, DJ Pickett, Jordan Seaton, Princewill Umanmielen, Whit Weeks
Read more: https://www.on3.com/news/lsu-announces-40-athletes-joining-nike-blue-ribbon-elite-program-nil-deals/
Sept 9 – LSU Football on IG
just to feel like this it took a long time. AGTG.
#teamnike
Sept 9 – LSU Wire
LSU football defensive notebook: How Blake Baker dominated Clemson
LSU football defensive notebook
- LSU safety Ty Benefield was a difference-maker. Benefield, a Boise State transfer, drew rave reviews throughout the offseason after arriving in Baton Rouge. His debut lived up to the hype. On Clemson’s first series of the game, Benefield broke up a third-down pass to force a three-and-out. Benefield played LSU’s high-safety role for most of the game. That put Benefield in position to make plays all over the field, which included crashing down into the box to stop the run.
Sept 10 – Vikings Wire
2027 NFL Draft: Vikings projected to land breakout SEC defender
The 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C. next year. In that draft, the Vikings still have their first-round pick, but a lot could happen in the next 9 months. Before then, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft in a class that many are saying could be one of generational wealth.
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson recently released the latest 2027 NFL mock draft of the cycle, which has the team going with a new defensive addition in one of the top safeties, Ty Benefield.
Wilson explains the Benefield pick, writing, “Harrison Smith returning for another year is a fun story, but Benefield brings some Brian Flores-level physicality to the position along with deep-range coverage traits.”
The team is going to be mocked for having several safeties between now and April, but Benefield is one of my favorites. He just seems to be more of what the Vikings look for, with the natural instincts and run-stuffing ability.
Sept 10 – KVUE ABC
The Play That Made Tiger Stadium SHAKE | Ty Benefield Exclusive
Watch the 19:44 video here: https://www.kvue.com/video/sports/locked-on/lo-new-orleans/lsu-tigers-show/the-play-that-made-tiger-stadium-shake-ty-benefield-exclusive/535-d7e1ead8-adca-4774-a49f-f8bc53e2128d
Sept 10 – TSN
Lalji explains why Canadian safety Benefield could have a major impact in the CFP picture
Each of the last two years, a Canadian has made a major impact in the College Football Playoff picture, and this year, LSU’s Ty Benefield might continue that trend. TSN’s Farhan Lalji has more.
Watch the 3:20 video here: https://www.tsn.ca/ncaa/video/2026/09/10/lalji-explains-why-canadian-safety-benefield-could-have-a-major-impact-in-the-cfp-picture/
Sept 10 – And the Valley Shook
LSU Football Draft Stock: Entering Week 2
Projected Day 2 Picks
Second Round – EDGE Jordan Ross
Second Round – S Dashawn Spears
Third Round – Princewill Umanmielen
Third Round – LB Whit Weeks
Third Round – S Ty Benefield (was Day 3 last week)
Third Round – QB Sam Leavitt (was day 3 last week)
Read more: https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/nfl-draft/52715/lsu-football-draft-stock-entering-week-2
Sept 11 – Vikings Wire
NFC North 2027 NFL Mock Draft: Player values change after Week 1
Minnesota Vikings
- Round 1: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
- Round 2: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Edge, Ohio State
- Round 3: Ty Benefield, SAF, LSU
- Round 3: Anthony Smith, DL, Minnesota
Read more: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nfc-north-2027-nfl-mock-180044573.html
Sept 11 – Geaux Mail
GAME 2 – At HOME vs Louisiana Tech
WIN – 45 – 14
GAME 2 – Saturday, Sept 12, 2026
At HOME vs Louisiana Tech Highlights
SEC YouTube
WIN – 45 – 14
Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYbZ9ArrCAM
Sept 12 – HJ News
Louisiana Tech LSU Football – Photo by Matthew Hinton only
Sept 13 – LSU Wire
The best photos from LSU football’s Week 2 win
Sept 16 – LSU Wire
LSU vs Ole Miss: Three Tigers must deliver in Kiffin’s return
LSU S Ty Benefield
Ty Benefield, a Boise State transfer, was one of LSU’s top offseason portal additions. So far, Benefield has lived up to the hype. Benefield has been dynamite manning the deep middle of the field and is effective at crashing down to stop the run. Benefield will have to do all of the above on Saturday.
The Ole Miss offense will count on running back Kewan Lacy to break free and create explosive runs. Benefield is in position to stop that. LSU DC Blake Baker will use Benefield on a few blitzes, too, hoping to get after athletic Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss.
Benefield has been talked up as one of the country’s top defenders. In Week 3, he has a chance to deliver a signature performance.
Sept 18 – Death Valley Voice
5 X-Factors who could swing LSU’s top-10 clash in Lane Kiffin’s Oxford homecoming
Ty Benefield – Safety
When LSU added Ty Benefield from Boise State, many started to bill him as a potential game changer in the secondary, but thus far, opponents haven’t tested the Tigers’ back end. This is going to be the first passing attack that can hurt the Tigers, and Benefield is going to have to show up as a difference-maker, especially when the Rebels try to strike for big plays.
Sept 19 – ESPN
Trinidad Chambliss leads No. 8 Mississippi past No. 7 LSU 32-24 in Lane Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss
The Tigers’ comeback bid began in earnest with pressure by Benefield, whose blitz forced Chambliss into a rushed throw that was intercepted by Ja’Keem Jackson and returned 10 yards to the Rebels 33.
Chambliss faked a handoff and ran 14 yards against the grain, outracing LSU safety Ty Benefield to the left pylon, and Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) added a 2-point conversion to take an eight-point lead with 6:14 to go.
Read more: https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401856688
Sept 19 – Yahoo Sports
College Players to Watch: Week 2
Ty Benefield is a fast-rising safety at LSU. He is very experienced, but he is also a first-off-the-bus type of defender. Not only does he look the part, but he can play multiple positions across the secondary. He can play down in the box, deep off the ball or even in the slot. Benefield will be in Oxford taking on the Rebels on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Read more: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/college-players-watch-week-2-130000548.html
Sept 19 – TimesUnion
LSU TE Trey’Dez Green and Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy leave game with injuries
Sept 20 – X
A HUGE sack by Ty Benefield
Sept 20 – HJNews
Louisiana Tech LSU Football
Sept 20 – 247 Sports
‘Not gonna happen again’: LSU’s Ty Benefield addresses defensive struggles at Ole Miss
Blake Baker’s defense surrendered 426 yards of total offense in LSU’s 32-24 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday.
Senior safety Ty Benefield, who had a rollercoaster night against the Rebels, spoke to the media following the loss to address the multiple breakdowns by his unit. Here’s everything he said:
THE OUTSIDE NOISE SURROUNDING LANE KIFFIN’S RETURN TO OXFORD
Question: How do you feel like you guys, as players on the field, handled all the bells and whistles and everything that was going on early tonight?
Benefield: “Honestly, that wasn’t the issue. Like, the fans and whatever they had, that really wasn’t the issue. More the issue was just doing your job, executing what you were supposed to do. And again, like, I’m gonna sit here and I’m gonna take that because as a leader of this team, that’s on me. There are times where I didn’t execute.”
THE LEADERSHIP NEEDED MOVING FORWARD
Question: How do you kind of, as a leader, help this team come back down to Earth after an emotional game like that and kind of flip the script for next week against A&M?
Benefield: “Look at the film. Talk things through. You know, ask guys, ‘What are you seeing?’ I’m gonna talk to guys whoa re coming in, you know, who haven’t really played as much. You know, getting them going, giving them confidence and again, just rallying our guys, rallying the troops.”
Sept 20 – TigerBait
LSU’s Whit Weeks, Ty Benefield React to Tough Loss at Ole Miss
I take full responsibility.
Watch the video here: https://tigerbait.com/s/8610/lsus-whit-weeks-ty-benefield-react-to-tough-loss-at-ole-miss
Sept 20 – nola.com
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss deals stingy LSU defense a frustrating reality check
This game was played at another level, and Blake Baker’s defense didn’t always meet the test. In the end, the Rebels drove 75 yards on 13 plays, scored a go-ahead touchdown and then a two-point conversion to put even more pressure on LSU’s offense.
Sam Leavitt couldn’t answer, throwing a fourth-down pass toward the end zone that was tipped up and picked.
“Just not finishing, just not getting it done,” Benefield said. “The thing about it, it’s too late. You gotta start fast and carry it all throughout. Again, as a leader on this team, that’s on me. So I take everything and take full responsibility.
“Coaches can’t go out there and play the game because we’re out there.”
Sept 20 – LSU on SI
3 LSU Tigers Who Stood Out vs. Ole Miss
While the offensive production made the Tigers come up short on the scoreboard, there was a fair amount of missed opportunities and mistakes from the defensive side of the ball that contributed to the loss.
The second half of the game became a true competition after a brutal first half from the Tigers. The team was solely relying on momentum to get a win on the road over the Rebels.
Which is when safety Ty Benefield stepped up on the defense with a major blitz on Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, delivering pressure that made Chambliss throw an intercepted pass for the Tigers to takeover the drive, one that eventually led to a touchdown.
Just two possessions later, Benefield once again disturbed the Ole Miss offense with a crucial 20-yard sack, which led the Rebels to a forced punt on a 4th & 30.
It might not have been the best job done by both the offense and defense, but these stars still shone on one of the biggest stages the season will present.
Read more: https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/3-lsu-tigers-who-stood-out-vs-ole-miss
Sept 20 – LSU Reveille
LSU drops in AP Poll following loss to Ole Miss
Read more: https://lsureveille.com/288287/featured_story/lsu-drops-in-ap-poll-following-loss-to-ole-miss/
Sept 21- Geaux Mail
GAME 4 vs Texa A&M
Sept 22 – And the Valley Shook
PFF Report Cards: LSU vs Ole Miss
The worst grades from the defensive side of the ball were:
CJ Jimcoily: 37.6
Dashawn Spears: 51.2
Ty Benefield: 52.7
Jimcoily being the lowest-graded player on defense is not surprising. There were times when he was in the game on Saturday where he looked a little out of place and was just a step slower than what he should have been. Maybe the atmosphere was a little too much for Jimcoily, but the staff made the adjustments and moved on for the remainder of the game.
Benefield and Spears being here is no shock. The offense that Ole Miss ran with Trinidad Chambliss puts a lot of stress on safeties to be right all of the time. Chambliss is the best QB in college football, and he did not disappoint. There were plays that he made, and throws specifically that he made, that no one but Chambliss could have made.
When Thomas entered the game in the second half to replace CJ Jimcoily after Dashawn Spears was injured in the first half, the defense found its footing. Tamarcus Cooley was moved into the star role to replace Spears, Thomas was paired with Ty Benefield as the two safeties, and Blake Baker began to dial up more aggressive defensive schemes.
Read more: https://www.andthevalleyshook.com/lsu-tigers-football/53264/pff-report-cards-lsu-vs-ole-miss
The PFF Grading Process
- Trained Analysts: PFF employs hundreds of analysts who break down game film. Less than 10% of these analysts are certified to actually grade individual plays.
- Play-by-Playing Evaluation: Analysts grade every player on every single snap on a scale from -2.0 to +2.0 in 0.5 increments, judging performance relative to the expectation of that specific play.
- Senior Reviewers: Only the top 2% to 3% of senior analysts are responsible for reviewing and finalizing the grades before they are published or sent to college and NFL coaching staffs.
Sept 22 – Tiger Rag
LSU Safety Ty Benefield Talks Moving On From Ole Miss Loss And Containing Marcel Reed
LSU safety Ty Benefield has flashed the talent his teammates and coaches raved in the offseason. Although his snaps and opportunities were limited by the Tigers’ dominant defensive front in the first two games of the season, Benefield has racked up 10 total tackles on the season and had five tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss against Ole Miss in Week 3. After struggling to contain Rebels’ quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, LSU will face another mobile passer in No. 23 Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed on Saturday.
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spCFDTbJhvY&t=1s
Read more: https://www.tigerrag.com/lsu-safety-ty-benefield-talks-moving-on-from-ole-miss-loss-and-containing-marcel-reed/
Sept 22 – Tiger Rag
LSU safety Ty Benefield explains why he transferred to program from Boise State: ‘I want the smoke’
But why the SEC, which he called “the baby NFL”?
“I want all parts of any fight,” he said. “I want the best competition. I don’t care who’s in front of me. I want everything. I want the hard road, and that’s how it’s going to be the rest of my life. That’s why I came to LSU. … I want the smoke. I don’t care who we line up against, who I line up against.”
Benefield and the Tigers kick off against Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday.
I WANT ALL THE SMOKE
Sept 23 – LSU on SI
LSU’s Team Mentality Is Exactly Why Safety Ty Benefield Chose the Tigers
“I want the smoke,” Benefield said. “I want to go against the best competition. I don’t care who’s in front of me. I want everything. I want the hard road. And that’s how it’s gonna be for the rest of my life.”
That’s the mindset that seperates great players from good ones, and for Benefield, that shows on the field.
Benefield has recorded 10 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and one pass deflection from the safety position.
Benefield has shown more than the stat book shows, travelling and making playes sideline to sideline like no other on LSU’s elite defense.
Sept 23 – Acadian News First
LSU looks to respond against No. 23 Texas A&M after loss at Ole Miss
BATON ROUGE, La. (Acadiana News First) – LSU learned a difficult lesson in its loss at Ole Miss last weekend.
Now, the Tigers have an opportunity to respond with a ranked Texas A&M team coming to Tiger Stadium.
The 23rd ranked Aggies visit Baton Rouge on Saturday as LSU looks to get back on track and begin building momentum in Southeastern Conference play.
LSU safety Ty Benefield said the Tigers’ focus is on returning to the fundamentals that have helped them succeed.“Honestly, you just can’t really let anything get to you and don’t do anything extra,” Benefield said. “When it comes to being on that field, you just have to be yourself and give the best effort.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday. LSU enters the game as an 8.5-point favorite.
Sept 24 – LSU on SI
5 LSU Players Who Could Decide Tigers vs. Texas A&M
Ty Benefield
The Tigers left Saturday’s game against Ole Miss with injuries, including safety Dashawn Spears. LSU’s secondary is a bit vulnerable, which means Benefield has to step up.
The Boise State transfer is coming off his best game of the season. He recorded five total tackles, one sack, and delivered several big hits. Benefield is a premier safety, and a good performance against Texas A&M would go a long way toward a victory.
Read more: https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/5-lsu-players-who-could-decide-tigers-vs-texas-am