LSU will be without offensive lineman DJ Chester for the first half against Ole Miss next weekend. He was ejected from the college football game against Southeast Louisiana on Saturday because of a targeting penalty on a play that did not even count.
Brian Kelly hopes the rule will change during the offseason.
Chester serves as the swing man in the Tigers’ offensive line rotation. This latest college football controversy forces him to miss two quarters of his next game as a consequence for his actions.
DJ Chester doesn’t know how to tackle!
As far as I can tell, Chester has not played on defense since at least middle school.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound lineman played offensive center, guard and tackle in high school. He started every game at center for LSU as a redshirt freshman last season and returned to that role in 2025.
Although Chester was ultimately replaced by Braelin Moore, he still plays an important role for the Tigers as the sixth man in the rotation. His number could be called at any moment.
Just not in the first half next weekend.
DJ Chester will be suspended because he does not know how to tackle. His lack of experience on the defensive side of the ball proved costly against the Lions when he was forced to make a tackle.
Was it targeting?
Chester was in the game on special teams to block for a field goal. The field goal was short.
Southeast Louisiana decided to advance the kick with a pretty solid return.
The Lions’ kick returner evaded five would-be tacklers before he cut back toward the center of the field around the 50-yard-line. Chester was there waiting for him and tried to lay the wood.
However, the return man somehow managed to escape.
LSU OL DJ Chester has been ejected for targeting trying to tackle SELU player on a field goal return.
— Matthew Brune (@MatthewBrune_) September 21, 2025
The play did not even count due to a defensive penalty.
He will be out for the first half against Ole Miss. pic.twitter.com/kDnZkWU2ur
Southeast Louisiana was called for a penalty on the return so the result did not stand. Meanwhile, SEC officials reviewed a potential targeting foul on Chester.
It was ruled that he led with the crown of his helmet because he did.
Chester was removed from the contest because of the attempted tackle. The targeting call will force him to sit out the first half against Ole Miss.
Brian Kelly was not thrilled with the decision.
“It’s an offensive lineman who we don’t work any time with tackling,” the head coach said. “And it’s a runner, and he might not have had the best form on the play, but he wasn’t looking to target or knock somebody out of the game. He was trying to hold on for dear life.”
Fair point. DJ Chester still committed targeting as it is written in the rulebook but I understand the frustration. LSU will be without him for two quarters next weekend.