LSU to host final OV weekend of the summer
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Just because it’s the final weekend of official visits doesn’t mean things will be quiet in Baton Rouge. LSU has a full list of prospects arriving on campus throughout the weekend, so let’s take a look at who’s coming in and where things stand.
Lane Kiffin and his staff will host several committed prospects this weekend. This is important for both the staff and the recruits, as it will be the last opportunity for them to see each other before the recruiting dead period begins early next week.
The first committed player coming in is 4-star quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston. Houston is the quarterback for Evangel Christian in Shreveport and is arguably one of the best quarterback prospects in this class. Most scouts believe he is the most accurate passer in the country among 2027 quarterbacks. The one thing Houston gets knocked for is the one thing he can’t control—his height. Outside of that, he has all the tools you want in a Lane Kiffin quarterback: accuracy, decision-making, and playmaking ability.
He may not have the strongest arm in the class, but he has more than enough arm strength to make every throw required on the football field. Houston measures in at 5’10”, 202 pounds, but he plays like he’s 6’5″. If forced to make a comparison, don’t be surprised if Houston develops into a quarterback similar to Trinidad Chambliss.
The other committed player coming in is 5-star tight end and elite basketball player Ahmad Hudson. Hudson has been committed to the Tigers since May 3, 2026. He is a 6’6″, 245-pound tight end, the No. 1 tight end in the nation, and a top-20 overall player from Ruston High School. He is also a highly rated basketball prospect.
Basketball is going to be a major factor in keeping Hudson in this class. Nebraska is heavily pursuing him and has emphasized that he can play both football and basketball there. LSU is willing to offer the same opportunity, as Will Wade has also extended Hudson a basketball scholarship.
Recently, Hudson changed his profile picture to himself in Nebraska gear and removed LSU-related photos from his Instagram account. However, he also posted that he is currently on LSU’s campus. The Tigers will have to do everything possible to get this recruitment across the finish line.
Hudson is viewed as the heir apparent to Trey’Dez Green. LSU wouldn’t need to alter its offense for Hudson because the system is already designed to feature a player with his skill set. With Green likely leaving early for the NFL Draft, Hudson could have an opportunity to contribute immediately.
The final committed recruit visiting this weekend is 4-star athlete Braylon Calais. Calais is a 6’1″, 200-pound prospect from Cecilia High School and is ranked as the No. 5 athlete in the nation.
Calais is being recruited as a wide receiver and projects as an explosive playmaker in LSU’s offense. He can line up in the backfield, split out wide, make contested catches, and turn a bubble screen into a big play. He is simply fun to watch and will be a tremendous addition to this class.
Calais shut down his recruitment shortly after committing to LSU in April. Like Houston, he has not taken any other visits and has been all-in on the Tigers.
Those are the players currently committed to LSU but the Tigers are also bringing in several prospects committed elsewhere in hopes of flipping them. LSU has spent the entire spring and summer targeting players they believe they can flip, with Easton Royal and Jalen Brewster being among the biggest names. Both prospects are currently visiting the schools to which they are committed.
LSU’s emphasis on recruiting and developing the trenches continues this weekend with the visit of Yahzeen Zion, who is currently committed to Wisconsin. Zion is a 6’3″, 265-pound defensive lineman who primarily plays on the edge but can also slide inside to play 3-technique defensive tackle.
He possesses an elite first step and a nasty streak. Zion is violent at the point of attack and when finishing plays. His impact jumps off the screen. He ranks as the No. 43 defensive lineman in the nation and is a top-400 overall prospect.
Davon Smith is another prospect making the trip. Smith is currently committed to Arizona. The 6’0″, 215-pound linebacker from Spring, Texas, is rated as a 3-star prospect and holds offers from Arizona, Utah, Pitt, Colorado, Arizona State, Mississippi State, and others.
Smith has excellent vision and instincts. He attacks the run aggressively, takes on blockers well, and finishes through the ball carrier. He plays linebacker the way you want the position played—big hits, forced fumbles, and the ability to make plays on the football. He can even line up at running back and shows some wiggle with the ball in his hands. When you watch his film, you’ll likely wonder why he isn’t ranked higher.
Malik Howard is another prospect expected to arrive on campus. Howard is a 6’4″, 230-pound tight end from Tennessee who is currently committed to the Volunteers.
Howard possesses ideal size, good speed, and exceptional ball skills. He consistently wins contested catches and is a willing blocker. It’s interesting that LSU paired this visit with Ahmad Hudson’s. If LSU can keep Hudson committed and flip Howard, it could create one of the most dangerous tight end duos in the country. Their future quarterback will be on campus this weekend as well.
Lane Kiffin and company aren’t finished recruiting wide receivers either. Despite already having three committed receivers and continuing to pursue Easton Royal, LSU is also bringing in Gary Burney Jr. this weekend.
Burney is currently committed to Houston. The 6’2″, 185-pound receiver from Bossier City is a 3-star prospect who holds offers from Houston, Cincinnati, Pitt, and Louisiana Tech. Burney committed to Houston at the end of May and received an LSU offer around the same time.
This visit will give him an opportunity to get to know the new LSU staff better, something he recently discussed with On3’s Shea Dixon.
LSU will also host several uncommitted prospects. One of the biggest is 4-star linebacker Theo Wilson. Wilson is a 6’2″, 220-pound linebacker from Tampa who ranks as the No. 27 linebacker in the nation and a top-350 overall prospect.
North Carolina currently appears to be the team to beat. Wilson recently visited Chapel Hill and nearly shut down his recruitment. However, according to Shea Dixon, after speaking with his mother, the decision was made to continue taking visits. LSU will have its work cut out to gain ground on the Tar Heels this weekend.
Once again, LSU’s focus on the line of scrimmage is evident. The Tigers just landed three offensive linemen this week, including one commitment in the 2028 class. That momentum continues with the visit of Miller Westerfield from Roswell, Georgia.
Westerfield is a 6’7″, 275-pound offensive tackle who is rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals and a 3-star prospect by ESPN and 247Sports. Don’t focus on the stars—look at the offer list. He has offers from virtually every major Power Four program in the country, including Georgia, USC, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee.
Georgia hoped Westerfield would commit during his recent visit and shut down his recruitment, but that didn’t happen. Now he’s on LSU’s campus. Offensive line coach Eric Wolford will have his work cut out for him, but considering what he’s already accomplished on the recruiting trail, it’s far from impossible.
The final prospect expected on campus is Jayden Anding, the younger brother of current LSU defensive back Aidan Anding. Like his brother, Jayden attends Ruston High School and is teammates with Ahmad Hudson.
Anding is a 4-star safety who measures 5’11”, 170 pounds. He can cover sideline to sideline and has tremendous ball instincts. He sees the football and attacks it. If someone is carrying the football, he’ll attack them the same way. He is currently being heavily recruited by both LSU and Ole Miss, but having his brother already in Baton Rouge should be a major advantage for safeties coach Jake Olsen.
LSU has a busy weekend ahead, with opportunities to strengthen commitments and potentially add new names to the class. How many of the six prospects currently not committed to LSU do you think the Tigers can land after this weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos