LSU coach Brian Kelly has put more emphasis on recruiting high school players and developing them. Kelly has used the transfer portal to fill holes, but made it known before the last game of the regular season the Tigers plan to aggressive in the portal.
NIL dollars once dedicated for five-star high school recruits who decommitted from LSU are now available to lure talented players out of the transfer portal.
The winter transfer portal opens Monday, and it will close December 28th. This is a time when college football players can enter the portal and they can commit to a school anytime, even after the portal closes on December 28th. If a player wants to transfer, they must enter the portal by December 28th or wait for the spring transfer portal period in April.
Since we know LSU will be aggressive, here’s a breakdown on positions that LSU will target.
Quarterback
We are expecting starter Garrett Nussmeier to return next season, but I still expect the Tigers to sign a QB out of the transfer portal. You want to add a quarterback to your roster every year. LSU thought five-star signal caller Bryce Underwood would arrive on campus in December, but he signed at Michigan instead. Also, third-string QB Rickie Collins will reportedly enter the transfer portal.
Running back
An experienced running back out of the transfer portal is a priority for LSU. Caden Durham looks like your feature back next season. Hopefully, Kaleb Jackson can contribute more next season, if he himself doesn’t enter the transfer portal.
There’s a lot of hype around incoming freshmen Harlem Berry and JT Lindsey. Also, there’s the possibility Trey Holly will rejoin the team once his criminal case concludes for a shooting that occurred in his hometown of Union Parish earlier this year.
With Josh Williams out of eligibility it would be nice to have a veteran presence in the running back room.
WR/TE
Tight end Mason Taylor is headed for the NFL, so is leading receiver Kyren Lacy, who is out of eligibility. CJ Daniels is reportedly entering the transfer portal. That means LSU must replace three of its top four receivers. This makes wide receiver and tight end a transfer portal must for the Tigers.
Texas Tech five-star true freshman wide receiver Micah Hudson will reportedly enter the transfer portal and the Tigers have been named a team to watch.
LSU should be able to find a quality tight end, Brian Kelly’s offenses are known to feature the tight end and Taylor had a stellar three-year career with the Tigers.
Before a wide receiver looks at LSU, they have to know if Nussmeier is coming back and is the plan to keep Joe Sloan as the offensive coordinator.
Offensive Line
This is another position of need. If Emery Jones enters the NFL draft early, LSU will need to replace four starters on the offensive line. Center DJ Chester would be the lone returning starter, but LSU could still looking for a starting center in the transfer portal, so they can move Chester to guard.
Defensive line
The injury to fifth-year defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory early in the season, gave LSU a chance to play young defensive tackles. The Tigers are hoping former five-star recruit Dominick McKinley will become a dominant defensive tackle and Guillory is expected to return for his senior season.
But beefing up the defensive tackle position will continue to be a priority for LSU.
The Tigers certainly need defensive ends as the Tigers top two pass rushers, Bradyn Swinson and Sai’vion Jones are headed to the NFL. Also, young edge rusher Da’shawn Womack is also reportedly entering the transfer portal.
Linebacker
If LSU can convince Harold Perkins to return for his senior season, linebacker will not be a huge priority in the transfer portal. Whit Weeks, West Weeks and Davhon Keys, along with Perkins would be a good group of linebackers.
Secondary
LSU’s starting safeties Sage Ryan and Jardin Gilbert could return next season, but I can see the Tigers looking to upgrade this position. The Tigers are also losing a pair of safeties to the transfer portal in Jordan Allen and Kylin Jackson.
Cornerback Zy Alexander is headed for the NFL, but the Tigers feel good about Ashton Stamps, PJ Woodland and incoming five-star prospect DJ Pickett. But I could see the Tigers signing a veteran cornerback out of the portal.
Punter
Black Ocshendorf is out of eligibility, and I don’t think Brian Kelly is completely comfortable with Peyton Todd after averaging 42 yards a punt. Expect LSU to once again bring in a veteran punter to compete with Todd.