The LSU Tigers own a proud tradition of college football excellence. But even across the decades of excellent LSU talent, some players were just a little bit more special. Three Tigers won Heisman Trophies, so you know all three of those guys stand out. But there are so many more: All-Americans, state champions, and legendary Tigers who are all worth mentioning.
Here are the 10 top LSU players of all time. From the old days to Jayden Daniels‘ Heisman run, it’s all here.
Top 10 LSU Football Players of All-Time
10. Odell Beckham Jr., WR (2011-2013)
After a couple of solid seasons, Beckham took off in 2013. He snagged 59 passes for 1,152 yards and eight touchdowns. He also led the SEC in yards per kickoff return and emerged as one of the most elusive and explosive players in Tiger history. His handful of elite NFL seasons was no surprise to LSU fans who had watched him grow up on the field.
9. Tommy Hodson, QB (1986-1989)
Hodson remains the top passer in LSU history with 9,115 passing yards. Yes, Joe Burrow needed only two seasons to approach him, but Hodson retains the record, and he set that mark in a time before the rules were as pro-offense as they are now. Hodson isn’t the most glamorous player on this list, but he was one of the most effective.
8. Ja’Marr Chase, WR (2018-2019)
Chase is included on this list because of the magical 2019 season. As the receiving half of the Burrow and Chase passing duo, he caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He had played sparingly the previous year and opted out of the COVID season the following year. But for one season, Chase was the best receiver in the nation for a national-title-winning LSU team.
7. Patrick Peterson, DB (2008-2010)
A lockdown defensive back, Peterson was a unanimous All-American in 2010. Peterson had seven interceptions, including a pick-six in his three seasons for the Tigers. His statistics only tell part of the story because opposing offenses learned to stay far away from Peterson. With 200 NFL starts under his belt, Peterson is still a star.
6. Tommy Casanova, DB/RB/RET (1969-1971)
Casanova is unique in being a three-time All-American pick during his LSU career. He even returned a pair of punts for touchdowns in a 1970 game. Again, Casanova’s numbers won’t tell the story, but he was an elite defender and a dangerous return man. After a solid NFL career, he served as a member of Congress in Louisiana.
5. Kevin Faulk, RB (1995-1998)
Faulk was stuck on some bad LSU teams, but he’s still the Tigers’ all-time leading rusher. He racked up 4,557 yards and 46 touchdowns on the ground. Faulk topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his last three seasons and went on to have a solid pro career. He was one of the most consistent players in LSU history.
4. Glenn Dorsey, DT (2004-2007)
A force up front for the Tigers, Dorsey was a two-time All-American. He was elite up front in 2006 and 2007, helping LSU to a national title in his senior season. Dorsey ended up with 179 tackles, including 27 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. He was a massive man who made plays at the biggest times for some stout LSU defenses.
3. Jayden Daniels, QB (2022-2023)
In just two seasons, Daniels passed for 6,725 yards (fourth on the LSU list) and won the 2023 Heisman Trophy. In those two seasons, he played with LSU rank third and seventh on LSU’s single-season passing records. Daniels was responsible for 78 LSU touchdowns, second on the Tigers’ all-time list.
2. Joe Burrow, QB (2018-2019)
Burrow put up video game numbers in 2019 en route to the Heisman and a national title. He broke Tim Couch’s 21-year-old mark for passing yards in the SEC and bested it by nearly 1,500 yards. Burrow threw for 8,565 yards, second best in LSU history. His 76 passing touchdowns are a school record. That 2019 season is the stuff of legend.
1. Billy Cannon, RB/DB/RET (1957-1959)
The legend of Cannon is bigger than numbers. He led the Tigers to a national title and was the program’s first Heisman winner. His Halloween punt return to beat Ole Miss is one of the most famous plays in college football history. Cannon could and did do it all: pass, run, catch, and even play defense. His legend is as big as any in the storied history of the SEC.
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