LSU landed a dedication Wednesday from Pensacola (Fla.) Catholic five-star Trenton Henderson, the highest uncommitted edge rusher within the 2026 class. He provides coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers a significant enhance within the cycle and a key SEC recruiting win over Florida and Texas.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound prospect ranks because the No. 4 edge rusher and No. 28 total prospect within the 2026 class in line with 247Sports. He’s LSU’s second Top247 five-star dedication within the 2026 class, becoming a member of Hattiesburg (Miss.) large receiver Tristen Keys, who stays on flip watch as different packages proceed to push for a late swing.
Henderson is the twelfth total dedication within the 2026 class for the Tigers, however simply the third for the reason that starting of Might. LSU strikes as much as No. 12 nationally within the crew recruiting rankings with Henderson now on board.
Ought to Henderson finally signal with LSU, it will be the second consecutive cycle the Tigers added a five-star prospect from the Sunshine State. Final 12 months, Zephyrhills (Florida) five-star cornerback DJ Pickett was the highest-rated recruit in LSU’s 2025 class.
Henderson narrowed his provide record to Florida, LSU and Texas in June. Based on 247Sports’ Tom Loy, he was as soon as anticipated to decide to USC this summer season, however distance finally turned an element. Now, Henderson is ready to remain nearer to residence, with Baton Rouge a couple of four-hour drive from Pensacola — roughly an hour nearer than Gainesville, regardless of being in a unique state.
As a junior, Henderson posted a formidable stat line with 50 whole tackles, together with 18 for loss with 10 sacks, 20 quarterback hurries, six move breakups, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration in 10 video games, serving to lead Pensacola Catholic to the Florida 2A playoffs. He adopted up a powerful sophomore marketing campaign in 2023, when he totaled 39 tackles, 4 sacks and two pressured fumbles.
Henderson provides LSU a much-needed win — on the recruiting path and in optics — as stress builds on Kelly heading right into a pivotal 2025 season. LSU hasn’t made a School Soccer Playoff look since its 2019 nationwide championship run, and every of the three head coaches earlier than Kelly gained a title throughout their time in Baton Rouge.
The scrutiny hit a excessive level final November when LSU misplaced No. 1 total recruit Bryce Underwood to Michigan simply weeks earlier than the early signing interval. Whereas touchdown Henderson helps regular momentum, the same consequence with Keys would ship one other important blow to the Tigers’ efforts to carry on to elite expertise.
The Tigers stay a significant participant within the NIL house — with Kelly even pledging to personally match as much as $1 million in donations to LSU’s fund — however warding off different main packages stays essential if LSU hopes to reestablish itself as a nationwide title contender.
