It was a year ago, when LSU football coach Brian Kelly told WAFB-TV sports director Jacques Doucet, “We’re not in the market of buying players.”
But that philosophy changed when Michigan stole the nation’s number one high school quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU with a reported eight-figure NIL deal.
Kelly and the coaching staff learned that you could have a great and long relationship with a high school recruit, but that can’t beat a lucrative name, image and likeness deal.
Underwood signing with Michigan also came after the Tigers went 8-4 in the 2024 regular season. That’s not good enough for a head coach with a 10-year contract, worth over 100 million dollars.
Kelly changed his strategy and put his own money on the line to help build up the NIL budget so the Tigers can be aggressive in the transfer portal and out pay other teams for players.
On paper the strategy appears to have worked, as the Tigers signed 18 players out of the transfer portal, twice as many as they signed last year. And it’s not just quantity, it’s quality too.
Seven of LSU’s 18 transfers are ranked among the top 100 players who entered the transfer portal in December.
Receiver Nic Anderson, receiver Barion Brown, defensive lineman Bernard Gooden, center Braelin Moore, edge rusher Patrick Payton, edge rusher Jack Pyburn, and guard Josh Thompson.
LSU put the finishing touches on this number one transfer portal class by getting a commitment from a player who entered the portal during the spring, A.J. Haulcy.
Haulcy is ranked as the number one safety in the portal after receiving first-team All-Big 12 honors at Houston. Haulcy is 6-0, 215 pounds and had 74 tackles, seven passes defensed and five interceptions last season.
Haulcy started his college career at New Mexico and became an impact player for the Lobos, recording 87 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
He transferred back to his hometown after his freshman season, and he’s been a big part of the Cougars defense.
Haucly is likely a starter in the defensive secondary for the LSU Tigers in 2025. But there’s plenty of competition.
LSU also signed Tamarcus Cooley from North Carolina State. There’s also returning starter Jardin Gilbert, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and will not be playing with one arm this season.
Javien Toviano is looking to be a breakout player and there’s also youngsters Dashawn Spears and Joel Rogers.
With a returning starter at quarterback and Kelly entering his fourth season, the Tigers have done what they can to put themselves in position to make the 12-team playoff in 2025.
But the real work begins soon with offseason workouts and when the summer heat blankets Louisiana, the pressure will continue to build on Kelly to deliver on the massive effort that’s taken place over the last six months to improve the roster.
