The NCAA's spring transfer portal window opened on April 16 and will remain open until April 30, giving the LSU Tigers 14 days to be active.
Brian Kelly and his guys have set up this program that will be active during the first period of the winter and will do everything in its power to add defensive linemen over the next two weeks.
Now, the fun begins with LSU looking to get under the scholarship numbers while adding depth on the defensive line.
The Tigers currently have 87 scholarship players on their roster and must reach 85 or fewer by fall. It's clear there will be a roster rebuild going on with this program in the coming weeks.
Transfer portal tracker:
Period from December to January
LSU has 14 players enter the NCAA transfer portal following the 2023 season, with several joining the offensive line, but the Tigers are solely focused on adding defensive players this time around. .
Offensive entry: Running back Armoni Goodwin (UAB), running back Logan Diggs (Ole Miss), running back Tre Bradford (North Texas), wide receiver Jaylen Brown (Florida State), tight end Jackson McGaughan (Wisconsin), offensive lineman Marlon Martinez (Mississippi State University) and offensive lineman Lance Hurd (Tennessee State).
Defensive entry: Defensive Tackle Bryce Langston (FAU), Defensive Tackle Tysy Hill (Oregon State), Defensive Tackle Fitzgerald West (Louisiana), Defensive End Quency Wiggins (Colorado) Cornerback Laterance Welch (Arizona State), Cornerback Deuce Chestnut (Syracuse), cornerback Denver Harris (UTSA).
Additions: Vanderbilt quarterback AJ Swan, Liberty wide receiver CJ Daniels, Mississippi State wide receiver Zavion Thomas, Texas A&M safety Jardine Gilbert, Auburn safety Austin Ausberry, Ohio State corner. Back, Gyre Brown.
Current period (April 16th to April 30th)
LSU lost EDGE Jackson Howard to the NCAA transfer portal, with his name officially entered Tuesday morning.
Howard, a former four-star recruit and Minnesota's No. 1 prospect for the 2023 cycle, will be leaving Baton Rouge after one season with the program.
The highly coveted recruit appeared in five games as a freshman and shined in LSU's spring game last year with four tackles and one sack. During his only season in the South, he recorded two tackles and one quarterback rush in 2023.
Brian Kelly's thoughts on the defensive line moving forward:
“You can move (defensive end) Bradyn Swinson inside, you can move Paris Shand inside, you can move Dashawn Womack to the edge, you can move (linebacker) Harold Perkins to the edge. It's a different configuration. I think some defensive linemen can run the team and be really dynamic. On first down and second down, you have to work really hard to get after the quarterback. But in terms of stopping that run. So, Jacobean Guillory was outstanding. In terms of what we wanted from Bo Davis, he was outstanding. We've got to find another guy. That's what we're looking for. We're trying to develop a second player and have some depth behind them.”
With Howard out, LSU already has one player available, Wisconsin DL Gio Paez. The veteran interior defensive lineman joins after four years with the Badgers and will add depth to the program.
LSU will lose several players through the NCAA transfer portal in the coming weeks.
Plan: Add defensive tackle
Brian Kelly stated during spring football that the program would only target defensive linemen through the portal during this period. That means LSU is almost certain to return redshirt freshman running back Trey Holly, who has missed so much of the offseason due to off-the-field issues.
Many believed it was imperative for the Tigers to add a running back as they only had two scholarship backs in spring football, but now there are intentions to bring back Horry, giving LSU a better advantage be able to stand in a position. Not to mention top-150 four-star RB Kayden Durham arriving in Baton Rouge this summer.
Now the plan is clear.With a strong attack on the portal to strengthen the depth of the defensive line and one already added, the Tigers at least Two more this offseason.
NCAA Spring Transfer Portal notes:
“Under Southeastern Conference rules, players who transfer within the league during the NCAA Spring Transfer Portal must wait until one year before play. You will follow the rules.”
The spring period lasts 14 days, but once a student-athlete officially joins the portal, there is no need to rush into a decision, as long as they are properly enrolled in their new facility in time for fall camp. No commitment is required within the two week period. Graduate transfers like Paes can enter the portal at any time. ”
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