The LSU Tigers secured a major commitment in their 2026 recruiting class on Thursday, as four-star offensive tackle Brysten Martinez announced his pledge to Brian Kelly’s program. Martinez, the No. 32 overall prospect in the ESPN Junior 300, becomes the highest-rated recruit in LSU’s next cycle and continues the Tigers’ early in-state recruiting success.
Elite Talent Stays Home
At 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, Martinez already possesses the size and athleticism to be a dominant force at the collegiate level. The Gonzales, Louisiana native is ranked as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country and the third-best prospect in his talent-rich home state for the 2026 class.
Martinez chose LSU over an impressive list of suitors, including Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida, Texas A&M, and Penn State. His commitment is a testament to the Tigers’ ability to keep Louisiana’s top talent at home, a crucial factor in building championship-caliber teams.
Building a Foundation
With Martinez on board, all six of LSU’s current commits in the 2026 class hail from the Pelican State. This group includes five prospects ranked in the latest ESPN Junior 300:
- Aiden Hall – No. 118 overall, Safety
- Jakai Anderson – No. 161 overall, Athlete
- Richard Anderson – No. 181 overall, Defensive Tackle
- Kenny Darby – No. 275 overall, Wide Receiver
The Tigers have now secured pledges from half of Louisiana’s top 12 prospects in the 2026 cycle, providing a strong foundation for Brian Kelly to build upon as he looks to return LSU to national prominence.
The Road Ahead
While landing Martinez is a significant victory for LSU, the Tigers still have their sights set on several other elite offensive line prospects. Chief among them is five-star tackle Lamar Brown, the No. 2 player at his position and Louisiana’s top overall recruit in 2026.
Brown, who attends University Lab School on the LSU campus, is believed to be leaning towards the Tigers. However, they will face stiff competition from Alabama, Miami, Florida State, and Texas A&M for his services.
LSU is also in the mix for four-star tackles Darius Gray (No. 70 overall) and Immanuel Iheanacho (No. 9 overall). Landing either of these elite prospects would further solidify the Tigers’ offensive line for years to come.
A Bright Future in Baton Rouge
The commitment of Brysten Martinez is a clear indication that Brian Kelly and his staff are building something special at LSU. With a strong in-state recruiting base and the ability to attract top national talent, the Tigers are poised to compete for SEC and national titles in the near future.
As the 2026 cycle progresses, look for LSU to continue its aggressive pursuit of elite prospects on both sides of the ball. If the Tigers can land a few more big fish, they could be assembling a class that rivals their historic 2025 haul, which was headlined by five-star offensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
For now, Tiger fans can celebrate the addition of Brysten Martinez, a potential cornerstone left tackle who could one day be protecting the blindside of a future Heisman Trophy winner in Death Valley. The future is bright in Baton Rouge, and the best may be yet to come.
