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TAMPA, FL — LSU football linebacker TJ Dottery was clear that he enjoyed playing for Ole Miss the past two seasons, and he felt well taken care of in Oxford.
He was also clear that he feels being at LSU is different in a good way.
"I had a great time at Ole Miss and the resources there were awesome," Dottery said July 23 at SEC Media Days. "They made them available to me whenever I needed. I think LSU is just another step, another step up, in having a lot of resources."
Dottery was one LSU's three player representatives. He followed former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin to LSU after the conclusion of Ole Miss' 2025 season.
It was his second time at SEC Media Days after serving as a representative for the Rebels in 2025.
What, specifically, makes LSU a step up over Ole Miss? Dottery pointed to a few things, including virtual reality technology LSU uses as part of training for its football players. It's a supplemental way for players to experience game situations.
"From film, to the virtual reality thing, to be able to get reps in," Dottery said. "We have a lot of people to be able to help you with reps. From a recovery standpoint, just being able to maintain your body through these hard offseason workouts."
Dottery is one of four former Rebels who followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge in the offseason. Star defensive end Princewill Umanmielen, offensive lineman Devin Harper and wide receiver Winston Watkins also made the jump.
Dottery said he's gotten closer with those four players because of their shared move, and he pointed to Umanmielen in particular.
"I think the relationship, that it's grown with Princewill," Dottery said. "We played on the same side of the ball last year. Our relationship has grown so much, from outside football and in football. We push each other. We're in there watching film together. Growing a lot."
Dottery led the Rebels with 98 total tackles in 2025. He started all 15 games, including the three College Football Playoff games. He said he was not considering jumping to LSU until after the CFP run ended in the Fiesta Bowl.
"I really wasn't focused on it until we lost vs Miami," Dottery said. "That entire playoff run and time, I devoted everything to the team. I put the team first and focused week by week, day by day on trying to win and get to the national championship."
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why TJ Dottery said LSU is 'step up' over Ole Miss football after transfer
Continue reading...
He was also clear that he feels being at LSU is different in a good way.
"I had a great time at Ole Miss and the resources there were awesome," Dottery said July 23 at SEC Media Days. "They made them available to me whenever I needed. I think LSU is just another step, another step up, in having a lot of resources."
Dottery was one LSU's three player representatives. He followed former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin to LSU after the conclusion of Ole Miss' 2025 season.
It was his second time at SEC Media Days after serving as a representative for the Rebels in 2025.
What, specifically, makes LSU a step up over Ole Miss? Dottery pointed to a few things, including virtual reality technology LSU uses as part of training for its football players. It's a supplemental way for players to experience game situations.
"From film, to the virtual reality thing, to be able to get reps in," Dottery said. "We have a lot of people to be able to help you with reps. From a recovery standpoint, just being able to maintain your body through these hard offseason workouts."
Dottery is one of four former Rebels who followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge in the offseason. Star defensive end Princewill Umanmielen, offensive lineman Devin Harper and wide receiver Winston Watkins also made the jump.
Dottery said he's gotten closer with those four players because of their shared move, and he pointed to Umanmielen in particular.
"I think the relationship, that it's grown with Princewill," Dottery said. "We played on the same side of the ball last year. Our relationship has grown so much, from outside football and in football. We push each other. We're in there watching film together. Growing a lot."
Dottery led the Rebels with 98 total tackles in 2025. He started all 15 games, including the three College Football Playoff games. He said he was not considering jumping to LSU until after the CFP run ended in the Fiesta Bowl.
"I really wasn't focused on it until we lost vs Miami," Dottery said. "That entire playoff run and time, I devoted everything to the team. I put the team first and focused week by week, day by day on trying to win and get to the national championship."
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why TJ Dottery said LSU is 'step up' over Ole Miss football after transfer
Continue reading...
