Ex-Badgers running back Dilin Jones has big day for LSU in opener

Dilin Jones, who made seven starts at running back for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2025, began a new chapter of his college career with a bang, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 114 yards in his debut with Louisiana State.

LSU destroyed Clemson, 51-10, on Sept. 5, marking a successful debut for new coach Lane Kiffin.

Jones, a highly touted recruit from Maryland who spent two seasons at Wisconsin, ran 14 times for 73 yards in the 2025 season opener against Miami of Ohio and threatened that UW career high a couple times, rushing for 63 yards against Michigan and 69 yards against Iowa in October.

He scored two touchdowns rushing and finished with 300 yards on the ground last year, with nine receptions.

Dilin Jones for his second TD of the night pic.twitter.com/3ADajoKhvD

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 6, 2026

Jones entered the transfer portal in the offseason and landed at LSU. His 1-yard touchdown early in the game opened the scoring for LSU, and he went on to score from 12 yards out in the third quarter. By then, the Tigers were well on their way to a victory in a game spotlighted with a visit from ESPN's "College GameDay," though a storm delayed kickoff by two hours.

Jones finished with 23 carries on 55 snaps, looking like his team's clear No. 1 ball carrier. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and caught one pass for 1 yard.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Badgers running back Dilin Jones has big day for LSU in opener