Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones emerges as a potential LSU running-back contributor
Dilin Jones is a Wisconsin transfer who joined LSU’s 2026 football roster as part of Lane Kiffin’s new-look offense. Before LSU’s season opener against Clemson, reporting identified the running back as a possible contributor in an effort to improve the Tigers’ ground game, although his exact workload and game production were not established in the available reports.
Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones emerges as a potential LSU running-back contributor
Jones was added to LSU’s running-back room after transferring from Wisconsin, according to Sports Illustrated. The report described him as a balanced and consistent runner who could bring a different style to a position group LSU was trying to strengthen.
LSU Sports also listed Jones among the running backs brought in through the transfer portal, alongside Stacy Gage. The Tigers were returning Harlem Berry and Caden Durham, giving the team several options in the backfield for the 2026 season, according to LSU Sports.
The need for improvement came after LSU averaged 104 rushing yards per game the previous season, the lowest figure in the SEC, according to Sports Illustrated. That report said Jones had performed well in protection, displayed strong vision and footwork, and had been effective running the ball during his time in Baton Rouge.
Why LSU viewed the transfer as a possible Week 1 factor
Sports Illustrated characterized Jones as an underrated addition who could become an “X-factor” against Clemson. Its assessment was based on his reported progress during LSU’s preparations and on the potential for the Tigers to attack a reworked Clemson defensive front.
The report specifically noted that Clemson had lost defensive linemen Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart to the NFL, as well as rotational player Stephylan Green. It presented those personnel changes as a possible opening for LSU’s rushing attack, but it did not report that Jones had already taken advantage of them in a game.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin also praised Jones during the spring, saying the running back had been good in pass protection, vision, footwork and ball carrying, according to the same report. Those comments support the view that Jones had earned attention within the offense, but the supplied reporting does not establish whether he would start, lead the backfield in carries or play a major role against Clemson.
The LSU-Clemson opener was delayed by weather
LSU’s season opener against Clemson was scheduled for Saturday night at Tiger Stadium as the first game of Kiffin’s tenure. LSU Sports initially listed kickoff for 6:49 p.m. Central on ABC and the LSU Sports Radio Network.
Lightning and heavy rain delayed the start, according to LSU Sports. The report said a 90-minute pregame and warmup period began at 7 p.m., with kickoff rescheduled for 8:40 p.m. Central.
The available reports establish Jones as a transfer addition and a potential part of LSU’s running-game plans, but they do not establish his final role or any statistics from the Clemson game. They also use different spellings of his first name: Sports Illustrated uses “Dilin”, while LSU Sports uses “Dillin”.