The state’s top prospect for the Class of 2024 signed with the LSU Tigers on National Signing Day. Acadiana High’s Dominick McKinley is a consensus five-star prospect and considered one of the best defensive tackles in the country. It’s a position of need for the Tigers, with Mekhi Wingo, Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson heading to the NFL.
That leaves Jacobian Guillory, Jalen Lee, junior-college transfer Shone Washington, three-star freshman De’Myrion Johnson and McKinley as the only defensive tackles on the team.
Coach Brian Kelly says they still plan to add to that position group.
“We’re vigilant,” said Kelly. “We’re on it. We know where we need to continue to build depth, and we like the guys we have on campus. We know where we need to continue to grow.”
The transfer portal will fill up when another window opens April 15-30. But there is an SEC rule that says after February 1st players cannot transfer to another SEC school.
There are also possible internal solutions to build depth at defensive tackle. Kelly said it’s possible they could move a few offensive linemen to the defensive side of the ball for spring ball that begins March 5th.
On Wednesday, LSU also announced six new transfers. Three defensive backs, Austin Ausberry (Auburn), cornerback Jyaire Brown (Ohio State) and safety Jardin Gilbert (Texas A&M).
The other three players are on offense, including quarterback AJ Swann (Vanderbilt). Kelly likes that Swann has experience in the SEC. He started a dozen games for the Commodores in two years and threw for 2,731 yards this past season.
“AJ Swann with 22 touchdown passes in 2023, Jayden Daniels had 19 in his first year, so you are bringing in someone that you feel real good about that could generate offense at the quarterback position.” said Kelly.
The other two new additions are receivers. Zavion Thomas (Mississippi State) and CJ Daniels (Liberty).
“We needed to add some offense back into an offense that lost some prolific weapons,” said Kelly.
Thomas was a star at John Ehret High School and caught 40 passes for 503 yards and a touchdown last season. He also returned a punt and kick for a touchdown during his time at Mississippi State. He received Freshman All-America honors as a return specialist in 2022.
Daniels had 1,067 receiving yards, 55 catches and 10 touchdowns for a Liberty squad that went 13-1 last season.
LSU will begin spring practice on March 5th. The Spring Game is April 13.