Here's a look at LSU's watch list for the upcoming season

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen have been named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America announced Tuesday.

The two seniors are among 68 defensive standouts under consideration for the award, which annually recognizes the nation’s top defensive player.

Former defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is the only LSU player to win the Nagurski Trophy. He earned the honor in 2007 while helping lead the Tigers to the BCS national championship.

Weeks enters his fourth and final season at LSU with 205 career tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. The Tigers are 17-5 in his 22 career starts.

After missing five games because of an injury last season, Weeks enters the 2026 campaign healthy. He recorded 31 tackles and three tackles for loss during his junior year, with LSU posting a 6-2 record in games he played.

Weeks enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2024, leading LSU and finishing second in the Southeastern Conference with 125 tackles. He was twice named SEC Defensive Player of the Week and earned first-team All-SEC honors.

Umanmielen begins his first season with LSU after transferring from Ole Miss, where he helped the Rebels finish 13-2 and reach the College Football Playoff semifinals during the most successful season in program history.

He earned third-team All-SEC honors in 2025 after ranking third in the conference with eight sacks and eighth with 13 tackles for loss. Umanmielen arrives in Baton Rouge with 38 career appearances, 20 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.

The Nagurski Trophy winner will be selected from a field featuring some of the country’s most accomplished defensive players, with Weeks and Umanmielen representing LSU among the preseason contenders.