Top 10 LSU Tigers(Football) of All Time

LSU football has produced an extraordinary lineage of stars who didn’t just dominate Saturdays in Baton Rouge, but shaped the sport nationally. From early legends who defined Southern football to modern icons who powered championship runs, this list celebrates the ten greatest Tigers in program history—ranked by dominance, impact, and legacy.

10) Ja’Marr Chase

Ja’Marr Chase’s LSU career was brief but unforgettable, highlighted by one of the greatest single seasons ever produced by a wide receiver. During LSU’s historic 2019 national championship run, Chase set the school’s single-season receiving records with 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns, consistently torching elite defensive backs with his combination of physicality, route precision, and elite ball skills. What separated Chase from most collegiate stars was his ability to elevate his play in the biggest moments. Nowhere was that more evident than in the national championship game against Clemson, where he exploded for 221 receiving yards, routinely overpowering future NFL corners in man coverage.

Chase wasn’t just a beneficiary of Joe Burrow’s brilliance—he was a matchup nightmare that forced defenses to abandon coverage schemes. His decision to opt out of his junior season and enter the NFL Draft limited his counting stats, but his peak was so overwhelming that his legacy remains secure. Had he returned for another season, Chase might rank even higher. Even so, his 2019 campaign stands as one of the defining seasons in LSU history.

The Biletnikoff Award Winner | Ja’Marr Chase LSU Highlights ᴴᴰ

9) Glenn Dorsey

Glenn Dorsey was the emotional and physical centerpiece of LSU’s defense during one of the program’s most dominant eras. Playing from 2004 to 2007, Dorsey was the rare interior defensive lineman who could completely alter offensive game plans. His senior season in 2007 was especially historic, as he swept nearly every major defensive award in college football. Dorsey won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy, the Lombardi Award, and the Lott Trophy, an unprecedented collection that cemented his place among the greatest defensive linemen in college football history.

Dorsey was a two-time First-Team All-American and a relentless force against both the run and the pass, routinely commanding double teams and freeing teammates to make plays. His performance in LSU’s 2007 national championship season defined defensive dominance in the modern SEC. While injuries hampered his NFL career, his college résumé is unimpeachable. Few players in LSU history have ever controlled games from the interior the way Glenn Dorsey did.

LSU Football – Glenn Dorsey

8) Y.A. Tittle

Before LSU was a national powerhouse, Y.A. Tittle helped put the Tigers on the football map. Playing in the late 1940s, Tittle was a two-time First-Team All-SEC quarterback at a time when the Wing-T offense and run-heavy schemes dominated college football. Despite the era’s limitations on passing, Tittle stood out as a poised, intelligent leader with exceptional toughness and command of the offense.

Tittle’s importance to LSU extends beyond statistics. He represented one of the program’s earliest examples of quarterback excellence and later became a bridge between college and professional greatness. He was inducted into LSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1958, just one year after graduation, underscoring his immediate impact on the program. His legendary NFL career with the Giants—where he became an MVP and Hall of Famer—only enhances his LSU legacy. Tittle remains a foundational figure in Tiger football history, symbolizing LSU’s early rise on the national stage.

Remembering Y.A. Tittle | 2x MVP, 4x All-NFL, & Pro Football Hall of Famer | NFL Legend

7) Leonard Fournette

Leonard Fournette arrived at LSU as one of the most highly touted recruits in college football history, and for much of his career, he lived up to the hype. A rare combination of size, power, and long-speed, Fournette was the engine of LSU’s offense during his tenure from 2014 to 2016. His sophomore season in 2015 was particularly dominant, as he rushed for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns, setting LSU single-season records in both categories.

Injuries during his junior season prevented Fournette from becoming LSU’s all-time leading rusher, but he still finished fourth in program history despite playing just three seasons. Fournette’s presence alone altered defensive alignments, forcing opponents to stack the box and open opportunities elsewhere. While his LSU career lacked a championship moment, his sustained dominance against SEC defenses earns him a place among the program’s elite. At his peak, few players in college football were more physically imposing.

Ultimate Leonard Fournette Highlights | HD

6) Tyrann Mathieu

Few players in LSU history were as electrifying—or as disruptive—as Tyrann Mathieu, better known as the “Honey Badger.” Over two seasons (2010–2011), Mathieu redefined defensive playmaking, impacting games from nearly every position on the field. He finished his LSU career with 133 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 4 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles, and 8 fumble recoveries, numbers that only hint at his influence.

Mathieu won the 2011 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, a rare feat for a defensive player. His knack for creating turnovers changed momentum instantly and made LSU’s defense one of the most feared units in the nation. Though his career ended prematurely due to dismissal for violating team rules, his peak was undeniable. Mathieu’s impact transcended statistics—he was chaos incarnate, and LSU has never quite seen another defender like him.

Tyrann Mathieu LSU Sophomore Year Highlight [2011]

5) Kevin Faulk

Kevin Faulk is the gold standard for longevity and versatility in LSU football history. From 1995 to 1998, Faulk was the Tigers’ offense, finishing his career as LSU’s all-time leading rusher with 4,557 yards and 46 rushing touchdowns. His 6,833 all-purpose yards remain an SEC record, a testament to his ability to contribute as a runner, receiver, and returner.

Faulk was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 1995 and followed that with three consecutive First-Team All-SEC selections. In an era when LSU struggled for national relevance, Faulk carried the program on his shoulders and laid the foundation for future success. His consistency, durability, and leadership make him one of the most important players the Tigers have ever produced.

1995 Kevin Faulk Independence Bowl

4) Tommy Casanova

Tommy Casanova remains one of the most versatile and accomplished players in LSU history. The only three-time All-American in program history, Casanova excelled as a defensive back, running back, and return specialist from 1968 to 1971. His all-around brilliance earned him the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1971, where he was labeled “The Best Player in the Nation.”

One of Casanova’s most iconic performances came in 1970 against Ole Miss, when he returned two punts for touchdowns, a feat that still stands as an SEC record. His combination of athleticism, football intelligence, and competitiveness made him a matchup nightmare. Casanova’s legacy is that of a true football player—someone who could change a game in any phase.

Tommy Casanova, LSU defensive back for LSU in 1969, 1970 and 1971

3) Patrick Peterson

Patrick Peterson may be the most complete defensive player LSU has ever produced. As a cornerback and return specialist from 2008 to 2010, Peterson dominated on defense while also providing explosive special teams value. He finished his LSU career with 135 tackles, 22 pass breakups, 7 interceptions, 1,350 return yards, and two kickoff return touchdowns.

Peterson won SEC Defensive Player of the Year, was a Consensus All-American, and received significant Heisman Trophy consideration, rare for a cornerback. His ability to erase elite receivers while flipping field position on special teams made him invaluable. Peterson set the standard for modern lockdown corner play in college football.

Patrick Peterson – All of The Lights

2) Billy Cannon

Billy Cannon is one of the most iconic figures in LSU football history. A two-time SEC Player of the Year, Cannon led LSU to its first national championship in 1958 and became the first Tiger to win the Heisman Trophy. His legendary Halloween Night run against Ole Miss remains one of the most famous plays in college football history.

Cannon’s No. 20 is one of only three numbers retired by LSU, underscoring his importance to the program. A powerful runner with speed and versatility, Cannon excelled as both a rusher and receiver, making him arguably the most complete player LSU has ever had. His legacy is foundational—without Cannon, LSU football history looks very different.

Billy Cannon LSU football highlights (video courtesy LSU Sports Information)

1) Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow’s 2019 season is the greatest single season in college football history. Leading LSU to a 15–0 national championship, Burrow shattered records across the sport, winning the Heisman Trophy by the largest margin ever. He set NCAA records for passing touchdowns (60), touchdowns responsible for (65), total offense (6,039 yards), and passing efficiency (202.0).

Burrow completed 76.3% of his passes, threw for 5,671 yards, and led LSU to victories over seven top-ten opponents, including a dominant national championship win over Clemson. It wasn’t just production—it was command, poise, and precision at a level never seen before. One season was enough. Joe Burrow is the greatest Tiger of all time.

Billy Cannon LSU football highlights (video courtesy LSU Sports Information)