Top LSU, Louisiana performers in NFL Divisional Playoffs

The Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs was largely unkind, from a win-loss perspective, to the top remaining former LSU stars — with one notable exception.

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels was once again among the headliners of another weekend of action to help the Commanders stun top-seeded Detroit.

But he and Buffalo long snapper Reid Ferguson and backup lineman Will Clapp were the only former Tigers on active rosters to advance to next week’s conference championship games.

Here are notes on seven of the most notable LSU performances, five by other Louisiana natives and one other notable former Louisiana college standout who helped assist the Daniels effort.

Jayden Daniels (LSU)

The Commanders’ young quarterback has only continued to improve upon an already-historic rookie season to push the franchise back to a stage in the NFC Championship where it hasn’t been not only in his lifetime, but in that of nearly the entire roster. Only five of Washington’s current players were alive for the Super Bowl run to cap the 1991 season. Daniels completed 22 of his 31 passes (71.0%) for 299 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions — his second-highest passing yardage total thus far — and rushed 16 times for another 51 yards. And his once-again clutch performance late included another three fourth-down conversions: one run and a two passes, all of which helped keep alive eventual touchdown drives.

Reid Ferguson (LSU) and Will Clapp (Brother Martin, LSU)

The aforementioned LSU duo in Buffalo participated in special teams in its 27-25 survival of Baltimore. Ferguson, the Bills’ longest-tenured player, handled snapping duties on three punts, three extra-points and two fourth-quarter field goals. And Clapp, who was again elevated from the practice squad before the game, served as an extra blocker on the five kicks.

Tre’Davious White (Green Oaks, LSU)

The veteran corner was the weekend’s seventh-highest graded defensive player overall and third-highest coverage grade, according to Pro Football Focus, among those who played at least 10 snaps. The Shreveport native and former LSU leader allowed two catches for 9 yards and finished with a tackle in Baltimore’s tough loss to his former team, Buffalo. White’s defensive and coverage grades were among his few highest of the past four years since dealing with major injuries.

Danielle Hunter (LSU)

Another former LSU standout who was a bright spot in a tough AFC loss, Hunter was the eighth-highest graded defensive player of the weekend, according to Pro Football Focus. The Texans’ edge rusher finished with four tackles, two quarterback hits on Patrick Mahomes and another hurry in a 23-14 loss to the Chiefs.

Derek Stingley Jr. (Dunham, LSU)

Following Stingley’s electric performance in last week’s Wild Card matchup, the Chiefs appeared to learn from the Los Angeles’ Chargers mistakes and appeared to largely avoid the former Dunham and LSU star. Mahomes and company picked apart the middle of the field the bulk of the afternoon to avoid the Texans’ corners. Stingley was targeted just twice with no completions, according to Pro Football Focus.

Omar Speights (LSU)

The rookie linebacker was second on the team with seven tackles, including four solo stops and a sack, in the Rams’ 28-22 loss at Philadelphia in the snow. The contest ended a great debut season for the undrafted free agent and earned the league’s sixth-highest pass-rush, 11th-highest tackling and 13th-highest coverage grades of the weekend from Pro Football Focus.

Justin Reid (Dutchtown)

Reid led the Chiefs with seven tackles, five solo stops, a quarterback hit and a pass defended as the two-time champions managed to hold off the Texans and keep their hunt alive to become the first-ever team to win three straight Super Bowls.

O’Cyrus Torrence (St. Helena, Ragin’ Cajuns)

The second-year offensive lineman earned the second-highest overall grade and second-highest run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus of his young career in Buffalo’s win. The pass-blocking was less of a highlight with PFF docking him for three pressures allowed. But the Bills survived and advanced to their first AFC Championship Game since 2020.

Kevin Dotson (Plaquemine, Ragin’ Cajuns)

Another Louisiana native with a similar performance, Dotson earned a solid run-blocking grade from PFF, but was charged with a handful of pressures allowed as the Rams struggled to slow down Philadelphia’s pass-rush. The veteran lineman wasn’t as fortunate on the final scoreboard, though, as the Eagles survived Los Angeles down the stretch.

DeVonta Smith (Amite)

Sunday was far from one of Smith’s bigger-number performances as the Eagles leaned on their run game and defense in the snow. But the lone Louisiana native on Philadelphia’s active roster caught all four of his targets for 21 yards, showing efficiency with his opportunities in the adverse conditions. Running back Tyrion Davis-Price (Southern Lab, LSU), safety André Sam (Iowa, LSU) and cornerback Parry Nickerson (West Jeff, Tulane) advance as well as members of the team’s practice squad.

Irv Smith Jr. (Brother Martin)

The former Catholic League standout earned one of the Texans’ top pass-blocking grades in his 22 snaps as the team’s second tight end and caught his first pass of the season for a quick 2-yarder.

Trent Scott (Grambling State)

The Grambling State alumnus isn’t a Louisiana native, but deserves a nod here as a former college standout in the state who provided a notable assist to Daniels in the Commanders’ win. The veteran offensive lineman came off the sideline with right guard Sam Cosmi exited with an injury, and Scott went on to finish as the team’s highest-graded pass-blocker with no pressures allowed.