- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
LSU Football Loses Four-Star Defensive End to Torn ACL
Redshirt sophomore Gabe Reliford's season is in jeopardy after suffering a major knee injury in spring practice.
Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:33pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
LSU defensive end Gabe Reliford, a key contributor on the Tigers' defensive line, has suffered a torn ACL during spring practice, putting his entire 2026 season in jeopardy. Reliford, a four-star recruit, played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2024 and was expected to be a major part of LSU's defensive rotation this fall.
Why it matters
Reliford's injury is a significant blow to an LSU defense that is already losing several key contributors from last season. As the Tigers look to reload on the defensive line, Reliford's size, strength, and experience would have been valuable assets. His absence will force LSU to rely more heavily on newer faces like transfers Jordan Ross and Princewill Umanmielen.
The details
Reliford, a redshirt sophomore, was absent from practice on Saturday, raising concerns about his status. The Advocate has now confirmed that he suffered a torn ACL, an injury that typically requires 6-9 months of recovery time. Reliford played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2024, recording 10 tackles. He played the first four games last season before sitting out the rest of the year with a torn rotator cuff.
- Reliford suffered the torn ACL injury during LSU's spring practice sessions in March 2026.
- Reliford played in all 13 games as a freshman for LSU in the 2024 season.
- Reliford played the first four games of the 2025 season before sitting out the rest of the year with a torn rotator cuff.
The players
Gabe Reliford
A redshirt sophomore defensive end for the LSU Tigers who suffered a torn ACL injury during spring practice, putting his 2026 season in jeopardy.
Jordan Ross
A defensive end who transferred to LSU from another program and is expected to contribute to the Tigers' pass rush this season.
Princewill Umanmielen
Another defensive end transfer who joined LSU and is known for his pass rushing abilities.
What they’re saying
“This is a significant blow to an LSU defense that is already losing several key contributors from last season. Reliford's size, strength, and experience would have been valuable assets.”
— Alexis Yoder, Author
What’s next
LSU will need to rely more heavily on its new defensive end transfers, Jordan Ross and Princewill Umanmielen, to help fill the void left by Reliford's injury. The Tigers will also look to other returning players on the defensive line to step up and contribute.
The takeaway
Reliford's torn ACL is a major setback for an LSU defense that was counting on him to be a key contributor this season. The Tigers will have to adjust their plans and lean on newer faces to try and offset the loss of Reliford's size, strength, and experience on the edge.
