Ali Gaye Announces Return to LSU

LSU got a head start celebrating the New Year when junior defensive end Ali Gaye tweeted he would be returning to the program for a second season.

Of all the potential players that were on the fence about returning to school or pursuing the NFL, Gaye had to be the highest priority. Gaye was second-team All-SEC after racking up 38 tackles and four sacks in 2020.

Gaye came to LSU as one of the highest ranked JUCO players in the 2020 class and had a spectacular debut against Mississippi State. Gaye had 11 total tackles, added an additional nine hurries and batted down a pair of passes. He ended 2020 on a high note against Ole Miss. Gaye made six tackles, sacked Matt Corral twice, picked off Corral and forced the game-ending fumble in the fourth quarter.

With Gaye planning on returning, LSU ought to have one of the better defensive lines in the country. A front four (three?) of Gaye, BJ Ojulari, Jaquelin Roy and Maason Smith looks awfully good on paper.

Gaye is the second player of impact that’s decided to return to LSU. Center Liam Shanahan tweeted on Christmas Eve he would be taking advantage of the extra year of eligiblity the NCAA granted to all fall athletes.