BATON ROUGE, La. – LSU’s prized linebacker and in-state legacy Whit Weeks has flipped his commitment from the Tigers to the Alabama Crimson Tide, announcing his decision Monday evening via social media. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound sophomore, widely regarded as the next great linebacker in the purple and gold pipeline, cited Kalen DeBoer’s “NFL-style vertical passing attack and aggressive defensive scheme” as the deciding factor.
Weeks, younger brother of current LSU standout linebacker West Weeks and son of former Tiger great Whit Weeks Sr., had been verbally committed to LSU since June 2024.
A Baton Rouge native and Catholic High product, he was the emotional centerpiece of Brian Kelly’s 2026 class, ranked as the No. 2 inside linebacker and No. 28 overall prospect nationally by the 247Sports Composite.
His film violent tackles, sideline-to-sideline range, and elite coverage instincts — drew comparisons to Devin White and Patrick Queen.
The flip came suddenly. Sources close to the recruitment told 247Sports that Alabama began making a hard push in early January after linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler and DeBoer himself visited Weeks at home.
During that visit, DeBoer reportedly showed Weeks how he would be deployed as a modern “money” linebacker in Alabama’s new 3-4 scheme — blitzing off the edge, covering slot receivers, and playing in space — the same role Micah Parsons plays for the Dallas Cowboys under former DeBoer assistant Mike Zimmer.
“Coach DeBoer laid out exactly how I fit in his defense attacking downhill, playing in the slot, rushing the passer on third down,” Weeks said in a statement posted to Instagram. “It’s an NFL-style vertical offense that forces defenses to play fast and aggressive. I want to be developed for the next level, and Alabama’s track record of sending linebackers to the league in the first round is unmatched. This was the hardest decision of my life, but I have to do what’s best for my future.”
The loss is devastating for LSU. Weeks was not only the highest-rated defensive pledge in the Tigers’ 2026 class but also the spiritual leader of Louisiana’s top prospects.
His flip drops LSU’s class from No. 4 to No. 11 nationally and leaves a massive hole at a position of desperate need following the departures of Harold Perkins (NFL Draft) and Greg Penn III (eligibility).
Alabama, meanwhile, lands its biggest recruiting coup of the DeBoer era. Weeks joins five-star edge Zion Grady, five-star safety Ivan Taylor, and top-100 linebacker Anthony Hill (Texas flip) in a defense that now projects as the most talented unit in college football. With Weeks and returning All-SEC standout Deontae Lawson patrolling the second level, the Crimson Tide suddenly boast the nation’s best linebacker duo before either has taken a snap under the new staff.
Reaction in Baton Rouge has been visceral. Death Valley erupted in boos when the news broke during LSU’s basketball game against Arkansas.
Brian Kelly addressed the flip briefly after the game: “We wish Whit nothing but the best. He’s a tremendous young man from a great family. Sometimes the grass looks greener. We’ll keep recruiting Louisiana the right way.”
“DeBoer just stole LSU’s soul,” one prominent Tide message board posted. “Whit Weeks in crimson? That’s a dynasty move.”
Weeks will enroll early at Alabama in January and participate in spring practice. His arrival gives DeBoer an immediate playmaker for a defense that ranked 78th nationally in yards per play in 2025 and desperately needed an injection of speed and instincts.
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