The LSU Tigers have a way of bringing in talent—great talent. And not only that, but talent that wins championships, breaks records, and brings Tiger Stadium to its feet. LSU has brought in some of the most highly valuable recruit players in the country over the years. From freak players to NFL legends in the making, here’s a glance at the top 10 recruits who created the Tigers’ legacy.
The 10 Recruits of the LSU Tigers Who Made History on The Court
1. Leonard Fournette, RB (2014) – The Hometown Hero
Leonard Fournette was the top recruit in the nation in 2014 and lived up to all the hype. New Orleans native Fournette was a wheeled bulldozer. He pounded for an unbelievable 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns as a sophomore, the latter an LSU single-season high.
The star athlete was an All-American by consensus and the LSU football face while in Baton Rouge. Injuries partially tainted his junior year, but his legacy was in place. Fournette was the No. 4 overall choice in the 2017 NFL Draft. Well, he was instrumental in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV championship.
2. Russell Shepard, WR (2009) – The Versatile Playmaker
Russell Shepard was a Texas standout who came to LSU as a five-star dual-threat quarterback but left his mark by converting to wide receiver. While his college career never produced him as an offensive standout that everyone had envisioned, Shepard showed a team-first mentality and athleticism throughout his time at LSU.
He finished his LSU career with more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. Shepard played in the NFL primarily as a special-teams player and reserve receiver, having a good professional career.
3. Derek Stingley Jr., CB (2019)—Shutdown Corner as a Freshman
Derek Stingley Jr. arrived with sky-high hopes—and then proceeded to do one better. The Baton Rouge native was the top-rated cornerback in the 2019 class, and his initial year was nothing short of elite.
He accounted for six interceptions, helped spearhead LSU’s record 2019 national championship campaign, and was a first-team All-SEC selection. Injuries plagued his final college seasons, but his NFL potential never faltered. The Houston Texans drafted him No. 3 overall in 2022.
4. Early Doucet, WR (2004) – The Reliable Target
A five-star from St. Martinville, Louisiana, Early Doucet was a dependable, productive receiver in an era when LSU was becoming a national force. With more than 1,700 receiving yards in his career and 20 touchdowns, Doucet was a reliable cog in the offense. His sure fingers and precise route-running were rewarded with a third-round draft choice by the Arizona Cardinals. That’s where he played a few seasons in the league.
5. La’el Collins, OT (2011) – Anchor of the Line
Arguably the most sought-after lineman in the country, La’el Collins stayed home and became the cornerstone of LSU’s offensive line. A 6-foot-5, 321-pound bundle of muscle, Collins was a first-team All-SEC selection and helped open holes for LSU’s dynamic run game.
While he was left unprotected in 2015 due to off-field trouble later cleared up, Collins was able to secure a starting spot with the Dallas Cowboys and subsequently the Cincinnati Bengals, proving that he was indeed pro-worthy.
6. Patrick Peterson, CB (2008) – The Human Highlight Reel
Known as Patrick Johnson from the start, the five-star Florida recruit went beyond simply altering his name when he came to LSU—he transformed the game. Peterson was an overpowering defensive back and a threatening return specialist.
In 2010, he was the Jim Thorpe Award (best DB) and Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player) winner. He was a top-five NFL Draft choice and consistent Pro Bowler for the Arizona Cardinals because of his unusual combination of size, speed, and instincts.
7. Anthony Johnson, DT (2011) – “The Freak” Up Front
Also referred to as “The Freak,” Anthony Johnson was a five-star defensive tackle from New Orleans who burst off the line into the trenches. During his time at LSU, he made 77 tackles and 22 tackles for loss and emerged as a force to be reckoned with against the run and pass.
While his NFL stint wasn’t exactly all that, Johnson’s presence in the middle of the defense was the driving force behind LSU’s defensive style while he was in Baton Rouge.
8. Arik Gilbert, TE (2020)—The What-Could-Have-Been Star
Arik Gilbert was set to be a difference-maker. The highest-rated tight end recruit in LSU history, Gilbert joined LSU with the class of 2020. As a true freshman, Gilbert demonstrated incredible potential with 35 catches for 368 yards.
But his story changed. Gilbert left LSU, went to Nebraska, and then Georgia. He never settled and was arrested on burglary charges in 2023. While never called into question about his ability, his road has served as a cautionary tale of things that can happen away from the game.
9. Tristen Keys, WR (2026) – The Future Face
Already being compared to LSU legends while still in high school, Tristen Keys has already made a name for himself. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound wide receiver from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is the No. 16 recruit in the 2026 class and signed with LSU in March 2025.
In his junior season, Keys totaled 58 receptions for 1,275 yards and 14 touchdowns to get his team into the 6A state title game. He’s among the latest evidence that LSU recruiting steam won’t soon subside.
10. Ryan Perrilloux, QB (2005) – The Cautionary Tale
Ryan Perrilloux came to LSU as a quarterback prospect who could not be overlooked out of Reserve, Louisiana. He certainly possessed the talent, but off-campus issues foiled what could have been a career worthy of Hall of Fame-type consideration.
Perrilloux was cut from the team in 2008 after moments of brilliance, though a monumental performance in the 2007 SEC Championship Game flew quickly by. He drifted between lower divisions but never reached the expectations of most.
KEEP READING: Top 10 LSU WRs of All-Time Include Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr.
From Fournette’s dominance to Peterson’s defensive masterfulness, LSU’s top talent has solidified the program’s championship legacy. Some fulfilled the expectations and became household names; some did not, but even they contributed to LSU’s story in important ways.
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