5 Best LSU NFL Players
Saturday nights in Death Valley have launched a long line of pro careers. These five LSU Tigers are ranked on their college work, from record breaking seasons to plays that live in Louisiana folklore.
1. Joe Burrow
Quarterback · 2018 to 2019
Burrow put together maybe the best season a college quarterback has ever had. In 2019 he threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns, won the Heisman by a record margin, and took LSU through a brutal schedule to a title. He was accurate, calm, and fearless on third down.
2. Billy Cannon
Halfback · 1957 to 1959
Cannon won LSU its first Heisman in 1959 and delivered the most famous play in school history, an 89 yard punt return against Ole Miss on Halloween night. He was a two way star with sprinter speed at a time when few backs had it.
3. Ja'Marr Chase
Wide Receiver · 2018 to 2019
Chase won the Biletnikoff Award in 2019 with 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He beat press coverage, tracked deep balls better than anyone in the country, and turned short throws into long gains. He then sat out 2020 and still went fifth overall.
4. Patrick Peterson
Cornerback · 2008 to 2010
Peterson won the Thorpe Award and the Bednarik Award in 2010. Teams simply stopped throwing his way, so he made his mark on returns instead, taking two punts back for scores. Size, speed, and technique in one package.
5. Glenn Dorsey
Defensive Tackle · 2004 to 2007
Dorsey swept the awards circuit in 2007 with the Outland, Lombardi, and Nagurski trophies. He ate double teams all season and still found the backfield. LSU won a national title that year in large part because nobody could run at him.
Others Worth Naming
Odell Beckham Jr., Tyrann Mathieu, Jamal Adams, Leonard Fournette, and Justin Jefferson all made noise in Baton Rouge. Mathieu might be the most fun player on this whole page to watch on tape. The five above edged them out on awards and overall impact.
The Death Valley Effect
LSU recruits a talent rich state and plays home games in one of the loudest buildings in sport. Young players learn to handle chaos early. That is part of why so many Tigers look ready the moment they step into a pro locker room.
Test Yourself on LSU Players
Reading about them is one thing. Naming them on sight is another. CollegeGuessr shows you an NFL player and asks which college he came from. Build a streak, post your score on the Big Board, and see how your football knowledge holds up.