The NCAA transfer portal has reshaped college football in recent years, providing players with the opportunity to explore new schools and gain a fresh start. LSU Football, under head coach Brian Kelly, has been particularly active in this domain, bolstering their roster through the transfer portal to contend for championships and improve their depth. Here are three key things to know about LSU Football’s transfer portal class, focusing on its impact on the team, its strategy, and notable players.
1. The Transfer Portal Strategy Under Brian Kelly
When Brian Kelly took over as head coach of LSU in 2022, he inherited a program that needed to be rebuilt both in terms of recruiting high school players and developing transfers. The transfer portal became an immediate tool to accelerate that process, and Kelly’s philosophy has been to use the portal strategically, targeting players who can make an immediate impact.
One of the core principles behind Kelly’s approach to the portal is the focus on team balance and immediate need. Unlike some programs that dive headfirst into bulk transfers, LSU’s strategy revolves around addressing specific positions and improving depth without sacrificing future talent development. This balance was evident in the way the Tigers filled key gaps in their roster, especially in positions that needed veteran leadership or increased competition, such as quarterback, defensive line, and wide receiver.
Kelly has made it clear that the portal is a tool to enhance the team’s success but is not meant to undermine the traditional high school recruiting process. By blending traditional recruiting with savvy portal additions, LSU is aiming to build a sustainable, championship-caliber program. Kelly has also emphasized the importance of culture, making sure that new portal additions fit into LSU’s locker room dynamic and culture of hard work and discipline.
The 2024 transfer portal class has seen LSU continue this approach, with a focus on filling needs while maintaining a clear emphasis on team chemistry and long-term success. LSU’s active involvement in the portal highlights their commitment to staying competitive in the SEC, one of the toughest conferences in college football.
2. Key Transfer Portal Additions for LSU Football
In the 2024 cycle, LSU made several key acquisitions via the transfer portal that are expected to have a significant impact on both sides of the ball. While the full list of transfers is still evolving, here are some of the notable players who have joined the program and could be game-changers for the Tigers:
Quarterback: Jayden Daniels (Arizona State)
One of the most high-profile additions from the transfer portal for LSU Football was quarterback Jayden Daniels, who transferred from Arizona State in 2022. Daniels immediately made his mark as the starting quarterback for the Tigers and played a pivotal role in LSU’s resurgence under Brian Kelly. His mobility and ability to make plays with both his arm and legs have provided LSU with an offensive spark.
While Daniels had already played a key role in LSU’s 2023 season, his decision to return for the 2024 season bolstered LSU’s quarterback room. With an additional year of experience in Kelly’s system, Daniels enters 2024 as one of the premier quarterbacks in the SEC and could lead LSU to even greater success.
Defensive Back: Denver Harris (Texas A&M)
LSU has also shored up their secondary with the addition of Denver Harris, a former five-star recruit from Texas A&M. Harris, who transferred after a freshman season that showed flashes of elite potential, is expected to provide immediate help in the secondary, a critical area for LSU’s defense.
Harris’s combination of size, speed, and cover skills makes him an intriguing addition to an LSU defense that has often relied on physicality and aggressive play. If Harris can adjust to LSU’s defensive schemes and improve his consistency, he could be a star in Baton Rouge and add depth to the Tigers’ defensive backfield.
Wide Receiver: Kyren Lacy (Louisiana)
LSU added depth and explosiveness to their wide receiver group with the addition of Kyren Lacy, who transferred from Louisiana. Lacy has demonstrated impressive ability to stretch the field and provide big-play potential, which is something LSU needed to complement their existing pass-catching corps.
Lacy brings experience and skill to an LSU wide receiver room that already includes talented players like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. His ability to contribute immediately as a deep threat or possession receiver will give LSU’s offense more versatility and put added pressure on opposing defenses.
Defensive Line: Oluwaseun Oni (Mississippi State)
A major area of concern for LSU’s defense in recent years has been the defensive line, particularly in terms of depth and interior push. To address this, LSU added Oluwaseun Oni from Mississippi State. Oni is known for his physical presence and ability to disrupt the pocket from the interior, providing LSU with a reliable option to rotate into the defensive line rotation.
With his size and strength, Oni should complement the established playmakers on LSU’s defensive front and give the team additional depth as they seek to improve their ability to stop the run and get after opposing quarterbacks in 2024.
Offensive Line: Tyler Steen (Alabama)
While LSU has a solid offensive line unit, the transfer of Tyler Steen from Alabama to LSU adds experience and versatility. Having played for one of the top programs in college football, Steen’s skill set should bring stability to the line and potentially allow the Tigers to bolster their protection for Jayden Daniels, who is a key piece of LSU’s offensive attack.
Steen’s leadership and experience in high-pressure SEC games will help LSU’s offensive line maintain its competitiveness, and his arrival in Baton Rouge also addresses the issue of developing depth along the line.
3. The Impact of the Transfer Portal on Team Chemistry and Recruiting
While the success of LSU’s transfer portal class can be measured by the players’ on-field performances, there is also a significant focus on how these transfers mesh with the existing players and affect team chemistry. Building a cohesive unit is crucial, especially in a high-profile program like LSU, where expectations are high and the pressure to succeed is intense.
Brian Kelly has emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy locker room environment, even with the influx of transfers. This is why LSU’s portal additions are not only focused on talent but also on the players’ character and fit within LSU’s culture. LSU’s transfer portal process involves thorough evaluations of character, work ethic, and attitude to ensure that each player fits within the established culture.
This process is especially important in the SEC, where maintaining chemistry and ensuring that transfers buy into the program’s vision is key to long-term success. Players who transition well from other programs are more likely to thrive at LSU, contributing to both individual and team success. Kelly’s attention to detail in this aspect of the process cannot be overstated.
Additionally, the success of LSU in the transfer portal helps recruit future classes. When high school recruits see that LSU is able to consistently land top-tier talent from the portal and integrate them successfully into the program, it sends a strong message that the program is serious about competing at the highest level. The results from portal classes like 2024 bolster LSU’s reputation and draw in even more talent from both the high school ranks and the transfer portal.
