Jonesboro (Ga.) four-star defensive back Cortez Redding is rapidly climbing the recruiting rankings, emerging as a top priority for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers. Redding, a Top-15 safety in the nation, had a standout junior season that put him on the radar of elite college programs. As his recruitment heats up, LSU has made its interest clear, with safeties coach Jake Olsen visiting Redding in January to discuss his future and what he’s looking for at the collegiate level.
However, Redding has no shortage of options. He recently unveiled his Top-8 schools, which include LSU, Ole Miss, Florida, Indiana, Miami, Auburn, Florida State, and North Carolina State. The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back is now focused on scheduling official visits for the summer, with LSU heavily in the mix. Defensive backs coaches Corey Raymond and Jake Olsen have been aggressively recruiting top talent this offseason, building on their success in the 2025 class, which included landing the nation’s No. 1 cornerback, DJ Pickett.
LSU’s 2026 recruiting class is already off to a strong start, currently ranked in the Top 5 nationally and No. 1 in the SEC. The Tigers are looking to solidify their class during the critical spring and summer months. Here’s a breakdown of LSU’s current 2026 commitments:
### **LSU’s 2026 Commitments (6)**
**Richard Anderson: No. 2 DL in America**
Anderson, a dominant defensive lineman, committed to LSU in 2024 after a stellar junior season at Edna Karr, where he led his team to a state championship. He recorded 44 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 18 QB hurries, two interceptions, and a touchdown, earning 5A All-State honors. Anderson is the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana and the No. 23 overall player in the nation.
**Aiden Hall: No. 4 Safety in America**
Hall, a versatile defensive back, committed to LSU during his junior season. He finished the year with 38 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, four interceptions, 11 pass breakups, four blocked punts, and two fumble recoveries. Hall is ranked as the No. 4 player in Louisiana and a Top-75 prospect nationally.
**Brysten Martinez: 4-Star Offensive Tackle**
Martinez, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive tackle from Gonzales (La.) East Ascension, committed to LSU on February 13. He chose the Tigers over several SEC programs, including Alabama, Texas A&M, and Georgia. Martinez is ranked as the No. 8 offensive tackle and a Top-160 overall prospect in the 2026 class.
**Kenny Darby: 4-Star Wide Receiver**
Darby, a dynamic wideout, had a breakout junior season with 100 receptions for 1,764 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning 5A All-State honors. The 6-foot, 175-pound receiver is known for his speed and explosiveness. He is ranked as the No. 7 prospect in Louisiana and the No. 2 wide receiver in the class.
**Jakai Anderson: 4-Star Wide Receiver**
Anderson, another elite receiver from Louisiana, earned 4A All-State honors after a standout junior year. He recorded 57 catches for 972 yards and 14 touchdowns, along with 151 rushing yards and four scores on 16 carries. Anderson is ranked as the No. 8 player in Louisiana and a Top-200 prospect nationally.
**Jalan Chapman: Coveted Offensive Lineman**
Chapman, a three-star prospect from New Orleans (La.) Warren Easton High, committed to LSU last summer over offers from Alabama, USC, Georgia, and Tennessee. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound lineman has been a standout since his sophomore year and continues to develop as a key piece of LSU’s 2026 class.
With a strong foundation already in place, LSU is poised to build one of the nation’s top recruiting classes for 2026, led by elite talent like Cortez Redding and their current commitments.
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