LSU tight end preview: TreyDez Green returns, depth to watch
The LSU tight end preview starts and ends with TreyDez Green: his return gives the Tigers a mismatch target and a clear alpha in the passing game. This article breaks down Green’s role and numbers, recruiting movement (including Ahmad Hudson), a full depth chart with sizes and class years, and what to watch this season.
Quick take: LSU tight end preview
TreyDez Green returning is the position-group storyline. The 6-7, 237-pound junior led LSU with seven receiving touchdowns last season and brings rare size that forces defensive game-planning. Beyond Green, the room is young with a mix of receiving candidates and blocking specialists; how the staff deploys those pieces will shape personnel packages.
TreyDez Green: role and numbers
Trey’Dez Green (listed 6-7, 237, JR) is the most proven option. He totaled 433 receiving yards last season and led the team with seven receiving touchdowns.
Green’s length and red-zone usage create clear matchup advantages on seams and jump-ball targets. Expect Brian Kelly’s staff to use more two-tight-end and 12-personnel packages to either present Green as an inline threat or split him out to isolate coverage matchups.
Recruiting update and incoming targets
Ahmad Hudson, a 5-star tight end from Ruston, committed to LSU in early May. Hudson told On3 he was “strong in his commitment,” though he also left a small degree of uncertainty by not shutting down his recruitment entirely (On3).
Dandy Don has reported ongoing buzz around Monshun Sales and the broader class; that coverage also noted recent pledges such as Jayden Anding that pushed LSU to 16 commitments (Dandy Don). Dandy Don quoted a scout saying, “I envision a young man who has everything skills-wise,” reflecting optimistic but still speculative chatter around some targets (Dandy Don).
Ruston’s schedule includes a high-profile game at the Caesars Superdome — Ruston vs. Edna Karr on Sept. 13 — a useful live look for evaluators tracking Hudson and nearby recruits.
LSU tight end depth chart
Listed tight end roster (size and class):
Trey’Dez Green — 6-7, 237, JR
Malachi Thomas — 6-3, 242, JR
Zach Grace — 6-2, 236, RsJR
JD LaFleur — RsFR
JC Anderson — 6-6, 256, FR
Role notes (per Dandy Don reporting):
Malachi Thomas: Played 13 games last season with 13 catches for 192 yards and two scores; projects as a secondary receiving option and situational threat (Dandy Don).
Zach Grace: Known primarily as a blocking tight end during his time at Oregon; expect him to handle in-line run-game and short-yardage work early on (Dandy Don).
JD LaFleur: Redshirt freshman with special-teams upside and developmental timeline toward offensive snaps.
JC Anderson: A high-upside freshman (listed 6-6, 256) who could work as a move tight end opposite Green if his transition to college play is smooth (Dandy Don).
What to watch this season
Key games and storyline moments that will shape tight end usage:
• Ruston vs. Edna Karr, Caesars Superdome, Sept. 13 — live look at Ahmad Hudson and other Ruston commits (game date noted in recruiting calendars and local reporting).
• Third-and-short and red-zone packages — monitor how often LSU deploys Green in jumbo or 12-personnel looks versus lining him out wide as a slot mismatch.
• Opponents that force two-tight-end sets — snap-share swings will be telling if Malachi Thomas or Zach Grace begin to take on heavier run-game responsibilities.
There’s draft and national-buzz to track, too: Dandy Don’s coverage highlights mentions from draft analysts and national scouts, including references to analysts such as Todd McShay and Sam Leavitt in early top-five chatter about prospects tied to LSU (Dandy Don).
Defensively, turnovers can change offensive game-planning; for context, safety Dashawn Spears’ 58-yard interception return last season earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week and illustrates how sudden shifts can affect play-calling (Dandy Don).
What comes next
August camp reports and preseason practice notes will clarify snap distributions and whether incoming recruits reaffirm commitments. If Ahmad Hudson publicly reaffirms, that meaningfully alters the room’s long-term outlook; if not, LSU will lean on incremental development from its current roster and freshmen signees (On3; Dandy Don).
Key takeaways
- TreyDez Green returning gives LSU a clear red-zone mismatch and the room’s top receiving threat.
- Depth behind Green is young; blocking specialists like Zach Grace will be important early in the year.
- Recruiting — Ahmad Hudson and other targets — could reshape the position group if commitments hold.
FAQ
Is TreyDez Green returning to LSU this season?
Yes. TreyDez Green is listed as a returning junior (6-7, 237) and figures to be LSU’s primary tight end target (Dandy Don).
Is Ahmad Hudson locked in to LSU or still open?
Ahmad Hudson is committed to LSU and described his stance as “strong in his commitment” to On3, but he stopped short of fully closing his recruitment, leaving a small margin of uncertainty to monitor (On3).
Who is listed on the LSU tight end depth chart?
The room lists Trey’Dez Green (6-7, 237, JR), Malachi Thomas (6-3, 242, JR), Zach Grace (6-2, 236, RsJR), JD LaFleur (RsFR) and JC Anderson (6-6, 256, FR) in current reporting (Dandy Don).
Sources: Dandy Don’s LSU coverage (https://www.dandydon.com/2026-07-09/) and On3 reporting on Ahmad Hudson. Image candidates and suggested alt text for editorial use: https://www.dandydon.com/wp-content/themes/dandydon/images/Scott_May_11_2026.png — “LSU tight end room overview”; https://www.dandydon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/jay-ole-miss-use-e1776083437883-3.jpg — “Recruiting and roster context images”.
