Notable Alumni: 8 Famous People Who Attended LSU

Check out the stars who went to LSU!

#1) Shaquille O'Neal

Class of 2000 - Bachelor of Arts

Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, best known as "Shaq", is a 2017 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. The 7-foot-1-, 325-pound basketball legend is regarded as one of the greatest Centers ever. He played three seasons with LSU before entering the NBA Draft as the Number One Overall pick in 1992. In 2005 Shaq earned his MBA Degree at the University of Phoenix and his Doctorate of Education Degree at Barry University in Miami in 2012.

College Stats - Averaged 21.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game. The 1992 Southeastern Conference Player of The Year and two-time First Team All-American.

Pro Stats - Rookie of The Year in 1993, 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, Four-time NBA Champion, Eight-time All-NBA First Team, the 2000 NBA MVP,   and three-time League Finals MVP. During the 19 years of his 19-year pro-basketball career, Shaq played for six teams over and won four NBA championships.

#2) Joe Burrow

Class of 2020 - Masters Degree Liberal Arts

2019 - Manning Award, Heisman Trophy, Lombardi Award, Maxwell Award, First Team All-Sec and SEC Offensive Player of The Year, Unanimous All-American, Sporting News College Football Player of The Year.

2021 - NFL Completions Percentage Leader, NFL Comeback Player of The Year.

2022 - Pro Bowl

#3) Odell Cornelious Beckham Jr.

Odell Cornelious Beckham Jr. better known as OBJ, attended and played football at LSU from 2011 - 2013 before being drafted in 2014 by the NFL. The famous Wide Receiver was the number one draft pick for the New York Giants. Beckham is known for tremendous athleticism and ability to make incredible plays. In 2021 he became a Super Bowl LVI Champion.

He also holds multiple NFL records like the most one-hand catches in a season, 10 or more touchdowns in a season, Fourth rookie in NFL history to have 2,000 receiving yards in a season, and being the only rookie to have at least 90 receptions and more. Today, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native is playing with the Baltimore Ravens.

#4) Edwin Edwards

Class of 1949 - Juris Doctor Degree

Edwin Washington Edwards served as the 50th Louisiana Governor for four terms (1972–1980, 1984–1988, and 1992–1996.) An influential figure in Louisiana politics, Edwards was born on a sharecropper’s farm in Avoyelles Parish. He attended Louisiana State University for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy.

He served his country as an aviation cadet during World War II. When he returned home, he finished his education at LSU received a law degree in 1949, and practiced law in Crowley, LA. In 1954 he was elected to the Crowley City Council where he served for more than three decades. From time to time, Edwards would perform ad hoc city court judge duties before serving in the Louisiana State Senate from 1964 to 1965.

Edwards is the only political leader in the U.S. to serve in all three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) and all levels of government (local, state, and national.) He was elected governor in 1971 and served two consecutive terms. In 1983 he was elected to a third term and in 1991 won a fourth term as governor.

In 2001, he was found guilty of scheming to rig Louisiana's riverboat casino licensing process during his fourth and final term in office. Edwards was 75 years old when he was charged with racketeering and sentenced to ten years in federal prison. He was released after eight years in 2011 at the age of 83.

#5) Betty DeGeneres

Betty DeGeneres has an unusual, but very familiar last name. That's because the journalist, speech and language therapist, and LGBTQI+ rights activist is the mother of celebrated Talk Show host and actress Ellen DeGeneres. Betty has her claim to fame outside of being Ellen's mom and biggest supporter. She is the author of two successful books: Love, Ellen: A Mother Daughter Journey, and Just a Mother.

Mrs. DeGeneres went to LSU and returned to obtain her Master's in Speech Pathology at age 50! Before that, she battled breast cancer and won. So, she's a pretty tough cookie. Out of love and support of Ellen, Betty became the first straight spokeswoman for the National Coming Out Project, and an active member of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

#6) John Bel Edwards

John Bel Edwards was the 56th governor of Louisiana and served two non-consecutive terms. A member of the Democratic Party, Edwards began his political career on the City Council in the town of Crowley in 1954. He then served as the Democratic leader of the Louisiana House of Representatives for two terms as well.

In 1972 he won the Governor seat and help from organized labor and Black voters realizing their civil rights-era strength. He appointed more African Americans to policy-making positions than any previous governor.

Edwards left office in 1980 but returned years later in January 2011. He easily defeated incumbent David C. Treen, the state’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction.

#8) Sha'Carri Richardson

Olympic track superstar Sha'Carri rose to fame as a freshman at LSU in 2019.
An American track and field sprinter who competes in the 100 meters and 200 meters. Richardson running for LSU finished the 100m in 10.75 seconds, breaking the NCAA Division.

She was only 19 when she became one of the ten fastest women on earth. This winning time made her one of the ten fastest women in history at 19 years old. Sha'Carri made the U.S. Olympic team but fell from grace and was disqualified for testing positive for marijuana. A crushing blow as she was grieving the untimely death of her mother.

The Pan American U20 Champion would suffer several setbacks in her career, but she never gave up on her relentless pursuit of greatness. The Diamond League Meeting Winner has weathered the storm and triumphantly worked her way back to the stage of elite competition.

Now an NCAA and National Champion, the former LSU Tiger has proven that hard work, determination, and the desire for excellence have paid off. Her journey is a testament that it's not how you fall, it's how you get up that matters! And just in case you don't BELIEVE, she is the best in the world after this race in winning this race in August.

Among her many accolades, Sha'Carri Richardson is now a World Champion and the fastest woman on the planet! We are so proud of you. Congratulations. I'm so glad that you didn't give up. Make sure you check back often. In the coming days look for this list to grow with even more famous LSU Alumni!