LSU Targets Top Texas Running Back Recruit

Landen Williams-Callis, a four-star running back from Richmond, Texas, is being heavily recruited by LSU and other top programs.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:36pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a high school football player in motion, with their jersey number partially visible but face obscured, rendered in the cubist style with sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of Richmond (Tex.) Randle's star running back Landen Williams-Callis, whose dynamic play has made him a top national recruit.Richmond Today

Landen Williams-Callis, a highly touted four-star running back from Richmond, Texas, is emerging as one of the top offensive prospects in the 2027 recruiting cycle. The 5-foot-7, 190-pound back is ranked as the No. 3 running back in the country and the No. 1 running back in Texas after a dominant junior season where he rushed for 3,502 yards and 59 touchdowns. Williams-Callis has offers from top programs like Texas A&M, Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Michigan, Alabama, Ohio State, and Florida, but LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin are making a strong push to land the elite running back recruit.

Why it matters

Landing top-tier talent like Landen Williams-Callis is crucial for LSU as they look to rebuild their program under Lane Kiffin. The Tigers are hoping to make a splash on the recruiting trail and secure commitments from elite prospects in talent-rich Texas. Securing Williams-Callis would be a major coup for LSU and a significant step forward in their efforts to return to national prominence.

The details

Williams-Callis is coming off a monster junior season where he rushed for 3,502 yards and 59 touchdowns on 324 carries. He also had 24 receptions for 266 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his versatility as a back. LSU hosted Williams-Callis on an official visit this past weekend, where he got to experience the game day atmosphere in Baton Rouge. The Tigers are going all-out in their pursuit of the elite Texas running back, hoping to beat out other top programs like Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State for his commitment.

  • Williams-Callis had a dominant junior season in 2025, rushing for 3,502 yards and 59 touchdowns.
  • LSU hosted Williams-Callis on an official visit this past weekend (April 19, 2026).

The players

Landen Williams-Callis

A four-star running back from Richmond, Texas who is ranked as the No. 3 running back in the country and the No. 1 running back in Texas for the 2027 recruiting class. He had a monster junior season, rushing for 3,502 yards and 59 touchdowns.

Lane Kiffin

The head coach of the LSU Tigers, who is leading the charge in recruiting Landen Williams-Callis and other top prospects to Baton Rouge.

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What they’re saying

“Williams-Callis was a one-man wrecking crew as a junior, finishing the Texas high school football season with 3,502 yards on 324 carries while finding the end zone a whopping 59 times.”

— Rivals

What’s next

LSU will continue to make Williams-Callis a top priority in their 2027 recruiting class. The Tigers will look to host him on additional visits and build a strong relationship in hopes of landing his commitment.

The takeaway

LSU's pursuit of Landen Williams-Callis, one of the top running back recruits in the country, is a critical part of their efforts to rebuild the program under Lane Kiffin. Landing elite talent like Williams-Callis from talent-rich Texas would be a major coup for the Tigers and a significant step forward in their quest to return to national prominence.