LSU loses Da'Shawn Spears to season-ending ACL tear
The short version
- Da'Shawn Spears tore his ACL in LSU's Week 3 loss to Ole Miss and is out for the season
- Spears played the star role, seeing time at nickelback, linebacker and safety
- Jhase Thomas earned LSU's top PFF grade (78.6) filling in against Ole Miss
- TaMarcus Cooley is expected to take on the star role after Jimcoily's initial replacement stint
- LSU faces Texas A&M next, an opponent that relies on downfield passing plays
LSU defensive back Da'Shawn Spears will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL suffered in the Week 3 loss to Ole Miss, forcing defensive coordinator Blake Baker to reshuffle his personnel.
LSU defensive back Da'Shawn Spears will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL, the program confirmed Sunday. Spears was injured during the Tigers' Week 3 loss to Ole Miss and had to be helped off the field before the diagnosis was confirmed.
Spears had become a central figure in Blake Baker's defense, lining up at the star position. That role asked him to handle duties at nickelback, linebacker and safety, and he even took occasional reps rushing the passer off the edge. A four-star signee in the 2024 class, Spears was developing into one of the SEC's top defenders.
LSU initially turned to sophomore linebacker CJ Jimcoily against Ole Miss, but the coaching staff adjusted during the game. Safety Jhase Thomas moved into a traditional safety role, while TaMarcus Cooley and sometimes Ty Benefield handled the star spot. The Tigers performed better with that alignment.
Cooley, listed by PFF at 6 feet and 208 pounds, has extensive box experience, with 226 snaps there last season and 46 through three games in 2026. He has produced only three combined pressures at LSU, so it remains to be seen whether Baker keeps blitzing from the position.
Thomas took advantage of his opportunity against the Rebels, posting LSU's best PFF grade at 78.6 with three stops. His range will be important going forward as Baker's aggressive scheme leaves the back end responsible for preventing big plays.
