LSU’s Transfer Portal Exodus: Key Departures and Where They’re Heading
As the dust settles after a dramatic few weeks of roster turnover, LSU football has made a statement in the new era of college football’s transfer portal system. Head coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers have been widely recognized for their ability to capitalize on the portal, landing the top-ranked Transfer Portal Class in the country in December. While LSU has successfully added veteran talent like Patrick Payton, Mansoor Delane, and Nic Anderson, the flip side to that success has been a notable exodus from the program. The LSU Tigers saw 19 players from their 2024 roster depart for the portal, marking a significant reshuffling of their roster in the months following their New Year’s Eve bowl appearance.
The transfer portal officially opened on December 9 and closed on December 28. Players who participated in postseason games had an additional five-day window to declare for the portal following their bowl games, which meant LSU players had until January 5 to make their decision about leaving Baton Rouge. With the portal window now officially closed until the spring, LSU is left to navigate the departures and integrate their incoming transfers into the program as they prepare for the 2025 season.
Brian Kelly’s Perspective on the Transfer Portal
Throughout the tumultuous transfer portal period, Brian Kelly was vocal about his approach to the process, emphasizing that LSU’s future success would rely not only on cultivating young talent but also on adding seasoned veterans who could contribute immediately. LSU’s program has been one of the best at developing young talent, and with a strong recruiting foundation, Kelly made it clear that bolstering his roster with impactful transfers was a priority.
“We have a strong young nucleus in our program, but now it’s time to add to that,” Kelly said in December. “Those that have moved on, we wish them the best, and now we feel like we’ve put ourselves in a position where we can put together an SEC Championship roster.”
Indeed, the 2024 class was already shaping up to be one of LSU’s most talented in recent years, and Kelly’s decision to lean on the portal was necessary to create immediate depth and experience in certain areas of need. However, this approach also meant that some of LSU’s players, who had been part of the program under previous coaching staffs or were buried on the depth chart, would choose to seek fresh opportunities elsewhere.
LSU’s Transfer Portal Exit: The Players Who Left
The departure of 19 players from LSU’s roster is significant, but it’s also not unusual in the modern college football landscape where the transfer portal has become a fixture of roster management. While the Tigers added some of the best available talent to their roster, they also saw several key players leave.
Some of the most prominent departures from LSU include:
- Jalen Lee (DT) – The veteran defensive tackle, who previously transferred from Florida, will seek a new home for his final year of eligibility. Lee’s exit comes after limited playing time in 2024, especially with the emergence of young defensive linemen like Ahmad Breaux and Dominick McKinley. Lee’s next stop will be his third program, and his size and experience make him a desirable target for teams looking to bolster their interior defensive line.
- Kimo Makaneole (OL) – Another key departure, Makaneole’s exit will create a gap in the offensive line. LSU’s offensive line depth was already a bit thin, and Makaneole’s departure places further pressure on the Tigers’ ability to retain experienced linemen.
- De’Myrion Johnson (DE) – Johnson’s departure adds to the reshuffling of LSU’s defensive line. The Tigers are hopeful that younger players like Sage Ryan and Jacobian Guillory can step into larger roles, but Johnson’s absence is certainly a hit to the team’s depth.
- Jay’Vier Suggs (DB) – Suggs was part of LSU’s defensive backfield depth in 2024 but struggled to find consistent playing time. With LSU’s secondary adding multiple transfers, Suggs’ exit was not entirely surprising. He will likely find a program that can offer him more opportunities to develop.
- Quarterback Myles Brennan – Brennan’s departure was one of the most high-profile exits. After several years of trying to carve out a starting role at LSU, the veteran signal-caller chose to enter the portal, looking for an opportunity to start at another school.
- Wide Receiver Chris Hilton – Hilton, once a highly ranked recruit, decided to leave the Tigers, likely seeking a better chance at consistent playing time. His departure adds to LSU’s list of wideouts moving on from Baton Rouge.
- Linebacker Micah Baskerville – Baskerville was a solid contributor to LSU’s defense, but after multiple seasons, he decided to pursue other opportunities for his final year.
Where Are the LSU Transfers Headed?
As the LSU roster gets reshaped, these players will be seeking fresh starts and opportunities elsewhere. Some will likely stay within the SEC, while others could be heading to programs in different conferences. Here’s a look at where some of LSU’s departing players might land:
- Jalen Lee (DT): With his experience and size, Lee could be an attractive option for teams in need of immediate help along their defensive front. Programs like Mississippi State, South Carolina, or Auburn could be destinations for the former Tiger.
- Kimo Makaneole (OL): Offensive linemen are always in high demand, and Makaneole’s experience will give him a strong chance at finding a new home. Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee could be potential suitors for the former LSU lineman.
- De’Myrion Johnson (DE): Like many LSU transfers, Johnson will likely look for a program where he can see more playing time. Schools in the Pac-12 or ACC with needs on the edge could be possible landing spots.
- Jay’Vier Suggs (DB): Suggs’ departure could see him follow in the footsteps of several other former Tigers by transferring to an AAC or Conference USA program where he can make an immediate impact.
- Myles Brennan (QB): Given his experience and pedigree, Brennan could land at a mid-major school in a starting quarterback role. Teams in the Sun Belt or Conference USA would likely pursue him.
- Chris Hilton (WR): Hilton could seek out a school where he has the opportunity to compete for a starting role. Schools in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) or Sun Belt would likely make a push for the speedy wideout.
- Micah Baskerville (LB): Baskerville will have no trouble finding suitors as a linebacker with a lot of experience. Schools in need of a veteran presence at linebacker in conferences like the Big Ten or ACC could make a move for him.
LSU’s Strategy Moving Forward
As LSU navigates the departures, they continue to focus on recruiting and portal acquisitions to ensure that the roster remains competitive. While the loss of 19 players is significant, the Tigers have brought in some of the best talent available, and the staff has clearly positioned the program for continued success.
Among the transfers joining LSU are players like Patrick Payton (FSU), Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech), and Nic Anderson (Oklahoma)—all of whom bring experience and skill to positions of need for LSU. This balance of high school recruits and impactful transfers ensures that LSU’s program continues to be competitive at the highest levels of SEC and national football.
Ultimately, while the roster changes may seem chaotic at first, they represent LSU’s adaptability in the new world of college football, where flexibility and savvy roster management are essential to staying competitive. With Brian Kelly at the helm, the Tigers are well-positioned to make a deep run in 2025, balancing veteran leadership with emerging young talent.
