After a relatively slow start, LSU has picked up significant momentum in the transfer portal. The 247Sports Composite currently ranks the Tigers’ class as the second-best in the country. That’s a great sign for LSU, as the Tigers are in the process of a complete rebuild on the offensive side of the ball. LSU has seen 30 players enter the transfer portal. Lane Kiffin has addressed some critical positions of need at this point. But the biggest issues, such as quarterback and offensive line, have not been resolved yet.
Don’t panic just yet, however, about these positions. The transfer window isn’t closed until January 16th. Besides, players from playoff teams get more time once their season is over. As Kiffin continues to push for Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt, the recruiting news is nowhere close to slowing down for LSU.
LSU in the Transfer Portal
Big Play Wide Receivers
The headliners among the incoming wide receivers are Kansas State’s Jayce Brown and Eugene “Tre” Wilson III from Florida. Brown has been as consistent as they come during his time at Kansas State. He has over 40 catches in each of the past two seasons. He’s a versatile player who the Wildcats used all over the field and also returned kicks. Wilson flashed the potential to be one of the more dynamic slot receivers in the SEC while at Florida. Injuries heavily impacted his production in Gainesville.
The next name isn’t as likely to be as familiar to most, but we won’t be surprised if he’s just as impactful. Hawaii’s Jackson Harris is a big body on the outside at 6’3” and excels at using his 200-pound frame to box out defenders in red zone situations. However, he’s more than a possession receiver. He averaged roughly 20 yards per catch and was one of only two players in FBS with four catches that went over 70 yards each.
Former Old Dominion wideout Tre Brown also brings big-play ability to the room. Brown’s speed stands out immediately when watching him on the field. He easily got separation on downfield routes, but he also showed polish and nuance in his intermediate routes. Brown’s catch radius is impressive, as he made several acrobatic catches to help his quarterback and keep drives alive in 2025.
Cherry Picking on Defense
LSU doesn’t have to replace as much on defense, but it lost an All-American safety in AJ Haulcy. Boise State’s Ty Benefield will immediately help at the position. Benefield is a physical presence in the secondary and led his team in tackles. He’s ranked second at his position as a transfer, so LSU has now acquired an elite safety in two consecutive transfer cycles.
The Tigers lost two major contributors at defensive tackle, so the staff had to address the defensive line. Stephiylan Green of Clemson and Malik Blocton of Auburn are now on board to help on the interior. Blocton was disruptive during his time on the Plains with eight tackles for loss and two sacks.
LSU made big waves on the edge with Tennessee’s Jordan Ross and South Carolina’s Jaylen Brown. Ross was a five-star prospect as a high school recruit in 2024. The 6’5”, 245-pound sophomore has the burst and athleticism to be the pass rusher LSU was missing at defensive end. Of course, that’s only if his actual play approaches his potential.
The All-Important Offensive Line
Besides quarterback, the offensive line is easily the most concerning position group for LSU. Help is on the way, but time will tell how effective the new help will be. First, North Carolina-Central’s Ja’Quan Sprinkle signed on as an interior offensive lineman. Louisiana native JaKolby Jones signed shortly after Sprinkle, then Tennessee’s William Satterwhite signed on Saturday, January 10th.
While the Tigers have created some momentum, more help is needed. All of the current signees are interior prospects, so tackles are a high priority. Overall, LSU still needs established players on the line, but more players have become available as more playoff teams have ended their seasons. The new line is far from done, but this staff has proven to be a competent group in terms of evaluating and closing.
Running backs Raycine Guillory and Rod Gainey exhibited blind faith in the staff by committing before any offensive linemen were added. Guillory is a former Utah Ute and a freshman at the position. Running backs coach Kevin Smith recruited him at the high school level, which is a reminder of the importance of maintaining relationships. Gainey is more of a bruiser than the shifty Guillory and had 74 carries as a redshirt freshman at Charlotte. The duo brings LSU to only three scholarship running backs, so the staff is not done at the position.
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