Dec 31, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks (40) defends in coverage against the Baylor Bears during the first half at NRG Stadium. The Tigers defeat the Bears 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
LSU linebacker Whit Weeks has earned a well-deserved spot on the prestigious 2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team, being named to the Second Team by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. This national recognition, announced on July 1, signals a vote of confidence in Weeks’ elite play and promises to thrust both him and the LSU defense into the national spotlight as the season approaches .
A Georgia native from Watkinsville and a product of Oconee County High, Weeks joined LSU in 2023. Even as a true freshman, his immediate impact was evident—appearing in 11 games, starting three, and compiling 50 tackles and a sack . But it was the 2024 season, as a sophomore, that marked his true arrival. Weeks led the Tigers with an outstanding 125 tackles, ranking second in the SEC and ninth in the nation, a single-season total that now ranks eighth in LSU history.
His consistency and dominance were recognized with First-Team All-SEC honors and twice being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. In LSU’s dramatic overtime victory over Ole Miss, Weeks turned in a career-high 18 tackles, including two for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble—one of those unforgettable efforts that shifted the course of the game. A week later, against Oklahoma, he notched 17 tackles and a sack, setting the tone for a season of sustained excellence .
What makes those performances even more impressive is the stage on which they occurred: prime-time games, historic rivalries, and high-pressure moments. In the season opener against Alabama, Weeks recorded 17 tackles and a pass deflection. Against South Carolina and South Alabama, he again reached double-digit tackles. He added 15 stops against Arkansas and delivered a monstrous 15-tackle outing—including a sack and forced fumble—against Oklahoma, capping a season of remarkable consistency .
Through just 24 career games, Weeks has amassed 174 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks . While those numbers already cemented him as one of college football’s premier defensive performers, they also set the stage for why the Walter Camp Foundation selected him as a preseason All-American. It’s a national platform that acknowledges both excellence and potential heading into the 2025 season.
Weeks will be entering 2025 coming off surgery to repair a broken fibula and dislocated ankle sustained in the Texas Bowl Yet, the fact that his selection to the second team came even amid recovery speaks volumes to how much respect he commands across college football. LSU head coach Brian Kelly and defensive coordinator Blake Baker affirmed the plan for him to be fully cleared and ready for fall camp, emphasizing that his physical tools and instincts are too valuable to rush
The timing is ripe: LSU lost standout linebackers Greg Penn III to graduation and saw Harold Perkins Jr. head to the NFL after an ACL injury sidelined him for much of 2024. That leaves Weeks to become the anchor of a retooled linebacker corps alongside emerging talent like Dahvon Keys and West Weeks . His value only deepens given LSU’s national ambitions; the Tigers open the season August 30 at Clemson in a Top‑10 showdown. A dominant performance there could shift expectations for the entire LSU squad.
The Walter Camp selection also ties Weeks into a legacy of elite LSU defenders who have earned All-America recognition. LSU had five Walter Camp first-team All-Americans in the 2019 national championship season, including Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Grant Delpit, Derek Stingley Jr., and Glenn Dorsey . A Second Team nod in 2025 adds Weeks to that lineage and elevates him in the eyes of NFL scouts, as pre-season All-America distinctions often precede future award watch-lists and draft projections.
What sets Weeks apart isn’t just statistical output, but game-changing presence. In LSU’s win over Ole Miss he forced a turnover inside the red zone that changed momentum late in the first half. In crunch time, he forced a sack on Ole Miss’ final play of regulation, freezing them short of a game-tying field goal and pushing the contest into overtime . Against Arkansas, he deflected a pass, intercepted it, and dropped a sack—all in the same game . That level of playmaking in high-stakes moments is rare and highlights his rare football IQ and reliability.
Fans and analysts have taken note. One CFB Reddit thread dubbed him “a menace all night long,” praising his gamesmanship against Ole Miss . Another thread, despite disappointment in LSU’s overall defense, cited Weeks as a bright spot . On r/Saints, an NFL fan called him “a DAWG!!!” and speculated about pro-grade potential, pointing to his tackling, coverage instincts, and game speed .
As Weeks enters fall camp, LSU’s coaching staff places heavy emphasis on how he and Perkins—once both healthy—could form a potent 1‑2 punch in the linebacker room. Baker noted their chemistry and complementary styles, comparing their interplay to a “yin-yang” combo . Weeks’ high energy fuels aggressiveness, while Perkins’ discipline balances the group, suggesting that LSU’s defense may look very different once all pieces are in place.
The road ahead, however, is not without challenges. Weeks’ recovery status will remain under close watch. The rigors of fall camp and the opener against Clemson will test both his physical readiness and mental capacity to lead. LSU’s defense, under Baker’s 3–4 scheme, relies heavily on playmaking linebackers—roles Weeks must fill at an All-America level.
Yet all signs point to readiness. Weeks reportedly practiced within full team drills in June and has been cleared for contact. His work ethic, leadership, and relentless play style make him a natural fit for a defense in need of a vocal and high-energy leader. If he returns fully healthy, LSU gains a foundational piece capable of anchoring not just a position group, but an entire defensive identity.
Strategically, his presence allows LSU to balance run and pass defense with equal aggression. His ability to shed blocks, read run-pass keys, and drop into coverage gives Baker flexibility in playcalling. Weeks’ growth in pass coverage—demonstrated by his deflected passes, interception, and sack tally—also adds depth to his portfolio, making him a multi-dimensional linebacker rather than a one-trick run-stuffer.
Nationally, Weeks’ preseason recognition will have ripple effects. He’s expected to be on watch lists for major awards like the Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski, and Lombardi, following in the footsteps of Harold Perkins, Mekhi Wingo, and others from recent LSU defenses (l. He may even rank in projections for All-American consensus spots by season’s end depending on performance.
Furthermore, his draft stock is in full bloom. NFL scouts prize linebackers with strong tackle counts, high football IQ, leadership qualities, and the versatility to excel in multiple defensive fronts. Weeks fits that mold and with another standout season, he could be poised for early-round consideration in next year’s draft.
Weeks’ preseason honor also elevates LSU’s defensive reputation as a whole. LSU has frequently been known for offensive firepower—especially highlighted in 2019 when Joe Burrow led a Heisman-winning season—but 2025 presents a chance for the defense to earn similarly national attention. Weeks is central to that narrative. His performance will define not just his legacy, but LSU’s identity under defensive coordinator Baker.
Behind the scenes, Brian Kelly has publicized his optimism. Kelly believes once healthy, Weeks and Perkins collaborating will create a unique energy and synergy that cannot be replicated by two standalone players . The coach’s trust in Weeks as a foundational piece is clear, and if that trust results in another dominant statistical season, LSU’s defense may emerge as one of the nation’s best.
When LSU faces Clemson on August 30, the national media spotlight will shine brightly—and if Weeks can deliver a performance similar to the one he produced against Ole Miss on a larger stage, it could set the tone for a chase toward College Football Playoff contention. For Weeks, it’s no longer just about personal accolades—it’s about stepping into the kind of leadership role required of a future All-American and potential pro.
In conclusion, Whit Weeks’ Second-Team designation on the 2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Team is as much an recognition of past excellence as it is a barometer for future expectations. His statistical achievements, critical game impact, injury recovery, and leadership potential all position him as a focal point for LSU’s defense next season. LSU fans, college football observers, and NFL scouts alike will be watching the Watkinsville native closely as the Tigers march toward fall camp, season openers, and national prominence—all led by the linebacker who refuses to rest: Whit Weeks.
