LSU vs Ole Miss: 21 players to watch in Week 3's biggest game
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The LSU-Ole Miss game is set for Saturday night in Oxford. This game was circled on the calendar months ago when Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to become LSU's head coach, even as Ole Miss prepared to begin a College Football Playoff run. After Kiffin left, Ole Miss promoted Pete Golding to head coach.
Much of the attention around this game has focused on Kiffin, but the players will decide it on the field. A handful of future NFL players are on both sides, and whichever team's stars make the most plays will likely win.
Both coaching staffs are deeply familiar. Golding was Kiffin's defensive coordinator for three years. LSU's entire offensive staff spent the last few seasons practicing against Golding's defense every day. This game could simply come down to talent.
Let's take a look at the 21 players to watch when LSU faces Ole Miss.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss, Quarterback
Chambliss is probably the most impactful player in this game. Whatever you think of Chambliss' NFL future, he's an elite college quarterback. He can run the ball, keep plays alive, deliver the ball accurately, and run the Ole Miss offense. Chambliss began his career at the D-II level, but he's played a lot of college football by this point.
When LSU saw Chambliss last year, Chambliss was in the early days of his time as an SEC starter. Now, he has a whole season of SEC experience under his belt. LSU did a fine job keeping the Ole Miss quarterback in check last year, but that will be a taller task this year.
Sam Leavitt, LSU, Quarterback
Watching Sam Leavitt is like riding a roller coaster. The highs are high, but the lows can be low. So far, his 2026 has provided more highs than lows. The LSU quarterback has posted prolific numbers in his first two starts, even though he's already thrown four interceptions.
Leavitt will need his legs and arm to win this one. Leavitt's scrambling ability will be key to keeping drives alive, and LSU will need Leavitt to make a few pretty throws down the sideline as the Tigers look to generate an explosive passing attack.
Note: Leavitt was listed as doubtful on LSU's Wednesday night injury report. If Leavitt can't go, Landen Clark will start in his place.
Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss, Running back
Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy is among the best in the business. Lacy was the heart and soul of the Rebel offense in 2025, carrying the ball 207 times for 1,564 yards and 24 touchdowns. Lacy is a complete running back. He's a forceful downhill runner who can break tackles and take it to the house. Lacy is a competent pass catcher, and as far as running backs go, he's an elite pass protector. Lacy will be key to Ole Miss picking up LSU's blitzes.
Trey'Dez Green, LSU, Tight end
LSU tight end Trey'Dez Green may be the best athlete on the field. At 6-foot-7 with top-end speed, Green is a matchup nightmare for defenders. LSU will look to get its go-target involved often and early. Green didn't catch a single pass vs. Ole Miss in 2025 and was only targeted once. A year later, he's a more complete player. Green will earn a whole lot more than a single target on Saturday.
Princewill Umanmielen, LSU, Defensive end
Princewill Umanmielen is one of several LSU players facing their former team on Saturday. The defensive end transferred from Ole Miss after 2025, following Kiffin. So far, Umanmielen has been everything he was promised to be. Umanmielen has a deep bag of pass rush moves coming off the edge. Pair those skills with his speed, and you get one of the nation's top edge rushers. Umanmielen has a chance to boost his draft stock with LSU this year.
Ty Benefield, LSU, Safety
Benefield, a Boise State transfer, was labeled one of college football's top defenders in the offseason. NFL scouts are interested in the safety, and Benefield could be a first-round pick in 2027. Benefield occupies the middle of the field for LSU, allowing him to close the post in the passing game and drop into the box to stop the run. Benefield will be key to limiting Ole Miss' explosive offense.
Kam Franklin, Ole Miss, Defensive end
Ole Miss lost Umanmielen, but it retained a handful of quality defensive linemen, including Kam Franklin. Franklin has good size, which allows him to play the interior and on the edge. He's a complete player who will get after the passer and make stops in the run game. LSU's tackles have a tough task.
Jordan Seaton, LSU, Left tackle
Jordan Seaton was the top offensive lineman available in the transfer portal. LSU knew it needed a significant upgrade at the position and paid a significant price to land the Colorado transfer. So far, Seaton has looked the part. He was a five-star recruit when he signed with Colorado and looks like a future first-round pick. Saturday will be one of Seaton's tougher tests as he plays his first SEC road game, but after two years of starting in Boulder, Seaton is familiar with the big moment.
Deuce Alexander, Ole Miss, Wide receiver
On3's college player ratings slot Alexander as a top 20 wideout in the nation. Alexander has caught 13 passes on 15 targets in 2026, racking up 235 yards and two touchdowns. He's caught five or more passes in each of Ole Miss' first two games. When Ole Miss needs a big play or a first down, Chambliss will look Alexander's way.
DJ Pickett, LSU, Cornerback
One of the men tasked with stopping Alexander is LSU cornerback DJ Pickett. The sophomore entered 2026 with All-American expectations, and so far, he's on track. Pickett notched his first interception of 2026 vs. Louisiana Tech last week and has only allowed 26 yards on six targets. Pickett's size allows him to play a physical brand of football in the secondary. LSU will count on Pickett to win his man coverage reps on Saturday night.
William Echoles, Ole Miss, Defensive tackle
Echoles was one of Ole Miss' best players in 2025 and opted to remain in Oxford for 2026. Echoles led all SEC defensive tackles in pressures and stops last year. Blocking No. 52 is a tough assignment, but LSU has one of the SEC's best centers in Braelin Moore. However, Echoles will have the edge vs. LSU's guards.
Whit Weeks, LSU, Linebacker
Whit Weeks missed a few games with an injury in 2025, which dampened what should have been an All-American campaign. Weeks returned to LSU for his senior season and is now the captain of an elite defense. Weeks played at an elite level in LSU's first two games. Weeks' athleticism will be key to keeping Chambliss in check. LSU can't afford to let Ole Miss keep the chains moving with QB scrambles.
Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss, Linebacker
Suntarine Perkins is experienced. He's in his fourth year with the Rebels and has 1,765 snaps under his belt. Perkins is closing in on 100 career pressures and already has three pressures and a sack in 2026. Whoever starts at QB for LSU will have to watch Perkins coming off the edge.
TJ Dottery, LSU, linebacker
LSU linebacker TJ Dottery is another member of the Ole Miss-to-LSU transfer group. Dottery's 2026 couldn't be off to a better start. According to PFF, he's the top-graded middle linebacker in college football. Dottery is making an impact in all facets of the game—rushing the passer, stopping the run, and dropping back in coverage.
Delano Townsend, Ole Miss, Left guard
Ole Miss' offensive line will be tested on Saturday. Left guard Delano Townsend will be tasked with blocking LSU's deep rotation of interior defensive linemen. Townsend has only allowed one pressure in 2026 and is expected to be on an NFL roster next year.
Jordan Ross, LSU, Defensive end
Umanmielen isn't the only LSU pass rusher worth watching. Tennessee transfer Jordan Ross will make an impact on the other side. Ross is speedy and explosive coming off the edge. He had an all-time game in LSU's Week 1 win over Clemson, racking up a handful of pressures while scoring on a pick-six.
Da'Shawn Spears, LSU, Defensive back
2026 looks like a breakout year for LSU defensive back Da'Shawn Spears. Spears mans the STAR role in Blake Baker's defense, meaning he does a bit of everything across the field. Spears is athletic enough to play true safety or cover a receiver in the slot, but he's big enough to walk up in the box and play linebacker. Baker also likes to send Spears after the QB on blitzes.
Terez Davis, Ole Miss, Left tackle
Ole Miss left tackle Terez Davis will be under pressure in this one. He's tasked with blocking Umanmielen and Ross off the edge. Davis is yet to start an SEC game, and he'll have his hands full with LSU's pass rushers. If Davis succumbs to inexperience, it could be a long night for the Ole Miss offense. On the other hand, Davis is talented enough to have a breakout game.
Winston Watkins, LSU, Wide receiver
Watkins transferred to LSU from Ole Miss and immediately established a role in the offense. Through two games, Watkins has caught 12 passes for 153 yards. He's been one of Sam Leavitt's go-to slot targets. Watkins is dynamic, and good things happen when LSU gets the ball his way.
Jonathan Maldonado, Ole Miss, Defensive end
Ole Miss DE Jonathan Maldonado is a physical presence on the edge. At 6-foot-5, he's on NFL scouts' radar. Maldonado's best trait is his run-stopping ability. How LSU's tackles block Maldonado will strongly affect whether LSU can run the ball.
Braelin Moore, LSU, Center
I mentioned Moore when talking about Echoles, but the LSU center deserves his own section. Moore is the anchor of LSU's offensive line and has been LSU's top-graded performer in the trenches through two games.
Other names to know
This game is loaded with talent, and there's a handful of other players worth keeping an eye on:
- LSU safety TaMarcus Cooley is versatile and lends flexibility to Blake Baker's defense. His open-field tackling ability will be tested a couple of times on Saturday when he buzzes down as LSU's extra run fitter.
- Ole Miss guard Patrick Kutas is an SEC veteran and a key part of what Ole Miss wants to do in the run game.
- LSU cornerback PJ Woodland, who plays opposite Pickett, is also one of the best man-coverage players in the SEC.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU vs Ole Miss: 21 players to watch in Week 3's biggest game
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