With three seconds left in regulation, sophomore linebacker Whit Weeks sacked Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart to send the game to overtime.

He stood over Dart who was down on the turf, and showed the energy he had all game.

“I think that was my first college sack I’ve ever had, I mean, solo sack I’ve ever had,” Weeks said. “I was really excited to get that play, for sure.”

That’s what LSU’s defense sought to find for two years: energy.

Luckily for the Tigers, Weeks is full of it.

Being the second born of three boys, Weeks plays the stereotypical role of a middle child: a happy-go-lucky kid whose energy you can feel from a mile away. 

“More of a free spirit and that kind of flies by the seat of their pants at times,” said Ben Hall, Weeks’ former head coach at Oconee County High.

On the field, Weeks’ energy comes from his immense love for football, so much that he’d almost play through anything.

In his senior year of high school in Watkinsville, Georgia, Weeks suffered a broken hand. It was an injury that he could have been sidelined from, but he didn’t let that happen. Instead, he played with a broken hand and continued to be productive while doing so.

During that same season, Weeks had a bruise on his thigh that made it difficult for him to even walk. 

But again, he played through the pain.

“He was nowhere close to 100%, but he battled through it,” Hall said. “There aren’t many kids that would play through the discomfort that that kid would.”

While his love of the game contributes to his energy, his resilience and toughness stem from his loyalty. 

He played through his senior year injuries not just because of his love for football, but his loyalty to his teammates.

“He was such an intense player,” Hall said. “He never wanted to let his teammates down.”

Weeks treats his teammates like family. But when he got to LSU as a member of the Tigers’ 2023 class, one of his family members became a teammate.

Weeks’ older brother West arrived at LSU for the 2022-23 season as a transfer from the University of Virginia. West, also a linebacker, had valuable college experience coming to LSU, as he totaled 31 tackles, a sack and five pass deflections in 11 games with the Cavaliers.

Through Weeks’ recruiting process, the fact that his brother was in Baton Rouge was not a deciding factor. But it didn’t make playing alongside him any less of a dream.

“Coming down and playing college football with him has been a dream of ours come true,” Weeks said. “Actually getting out there together on the field some, too, has been amazing for us and our family.”

Weeks’ first season at LSU was a productive one, as he finished with 50 total tackles, including a nine-tackle game against Ole Miss, and an eight-tackle game in the ReliaQuest Bowl win over Wisconsin.

With the defensive staff overhaul that took place in the offseason, the Tigers looked for a clean slate on defense. However, they didn’t want to eliminate the bright spots that shined through the darkness, and Weeks was one of them.

“Whit is a phenomenal football player, extremely hard worker, never takes a play off. His effort is second to none,” LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker said. “He’s very inquisitive. He’s always wanting to know what he can do better. He’s really improved his game.”

Weeks was named captain in LSU’s home opener against Nicholls. It was a moment that Weeks worked tirelessly for, especially while being part of a defense that struggled the season prior.

Fittingly enough, West was named captain as well.

“Those two I know are best of friends,” Hall said. “It’s fun to watch those two guys play together.”

With six tackles in each of LSU’s first two games, Weeks finished with 11 in LSU’s 36-33 win over South Carolina. 

He followed that up with a seven-tackle game against UCLA and nine against South Alabama, which included a critical stop on 4th-and-goal.

“The energy; he changed the complexion of the game with the goal line stand,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “He’s an outstanding player.”

After finishing with a career-high 18 tackles along with a sack, a forced fumble and a crucial pass breakup, Weeks’ energy was at an all-time high.

Between the thrilling finish and students and fans rushing the field, it was a moment Weeks will never forget. 

“I was yelling from that goal line, all the way to this goal line,” Weeks said. “I was just getting excited and enjoying the moment, because these moments don’t come often in life.”

Everyone in Tiger Stadium matched his energy. And while Weeks’ energy is at an all-time high, his love for football is too.