Evaluating LSUs 2026 rushing attack

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When teams have a good running game, it can take so much pressure off the rest of the offense and create winning football. RB is a position that is often overlooked and undervalued, but recently football has been moving towards more run-focused offenses. In the SEC, the defenses are among the best, if not the best, in college football, and a strong response to that is a good running game.

Three years ago, we got a glimpse of the versatility a dangerous run game could bring, but it wasn’t because of the RBs; it was due to QB Jayden Daniels. Since then, LSU has struggled to show any consistency on offense. The old regime seemed to rely on the athleticism of a QB to be the run game, but once Garrett Nussmeier went in, that couldn’t happen. With Lane Kiffin now leading the team, this should change.

Looking at last year’s Ole Miss team under Kiffin, RB Kewan Lacy had 306 rushing attempts, 1567 yards, and 24 TDs, while QB Trinidad Chambliss had 527 yards and 8 rushing TDs. Comparing these numbers with LSU last year, it’s clear there was an issue running the ball in Baton Rouge. After combing Caden Durham and Harlem Berry’s stats last year, the duo finished with 215 attempts, 996 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

Both Durham and Berry have all the talent in the world to be excellent RBs, and under Kiffin, their stats should see major increases across the board.

The other factor in Kiffin’s rushing attack will be Sam Leavitt. Back in 2024, when Leavitt last played a nearly full season and had a great RB in Cam Skattebo, the QB had 443 rushing yards and 5 TDs. Those numbers are much closer to what Chambliss was able to do under Kiffin, and although the staff should be careful about his injury history, he could be a major weapon in the run game.

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