LSU Still Seeking to Add Three Positions to Their Transfer Portal: What You Need to Know

The LSU Tigers football program, known for its rich history and competitive prowess, is continuously adapting and evolving to maintain its status as one of the premier programs in college football. With the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics and the growing importance of the transfer portal, LSU is working diligently to strengthen its roster ahead of the 2025 season. As of January 2025, LSU is actively pursuing three specific positions to bolster their squad, and the recruitment process is heating up.

What Is the Transfer Portal?

Before delving into LSU’s current roster and its transfer portal needs, it is important to understand the role of the transfer portal. The NCAA transfer portal was created in 2018 to give athletes more control over their college careers. The portal is an electronic database where athletes can declare their intent to transfer to another school. This development has made it easier for student-athletes to explore new opportunities, while also providing schools with the ability to recruit talent directly from the portal.

For programs like LSU, the transfer portal is a vital tool for replenishing and enhancing their rosters. The portal allows teams to address gaps in their lineup, find players with specific skill sets, and even add experienced contributors who can make an immediate impact.

LSU’s Focus: The Three Key Positions

In the 2025 offseason, LSU is focused on three key areas of their roster: wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker. Each of these positions presents a unique challenge for LSU’s coaching staff, as they attempt to recruit players who will provide an immediate boost to the team’s depth, performance, and competitiveness.

1. Wide Receiver: The Quest for More Playmakers

One of the most significant gaps in LSU’s current roster is at the wide receiver position. While LSU boasts a strong tradition of producing elite wide receivers—many of whom have gone on to enjoy successful careers in the NFL—the Tigers have experienced some turnover in this area in recent years.

In 2024, LSU saw several key contributors depart, leaving a void that the team is eager to fill. The Tigers are looking for a combination of experience and playmaking ability to provide balance in their passing game. LSU’s offense under head coach Brian Kelly is dynamic, and wide receiver plays a crucial role in making it all come together.

A strong wide receiving corps is essential for LSU, especially with the quarterback situation being a top priority. The team’s offense is centered around maximizing the potential of their quarterback, and a talented set of wide receivers can make a significant difference. Wide receivers are expected to be fast, elusive, and able to create separation from defenders in order to stretch the field and allow the passing game to thrive.

In the transfer portal, LSU is targeting wide receivers who have proven themselves at the collegiate level. Ideally, the team is looking for players who can step in and make an immediate impact in the offense. LSU’s coaching staff is particularly focused on finding a deep threat receiver, someone who can stretch the defense and create opportunities for the team’s quarterbacks to attack downfield.

LSU has a history of developing wide receivers into NFL-caliber talent, and they are looking for players who can continue that legacy. Names like Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and Odell Beckham Jr. come to mind, and LSU hopes to find the next playmaker who can help them compete for SEC and national titles.

2. Cornerback: Strengthening the Secondary

Another key area that LSU is focused on is the cornerback position. The Tigers’ secondary has had some ups and downs in recent years, and the team recognizes that they need to improve this area to contend at the highest levels. A strong secondary is critical in the modern era of college football, where passing offenses are becoming more potent and prolific.

LSU’s defensive philosophy under Brian Kelly is to create a balanced, aggressive defense that can stop both the run and the pass. However, the cornerback position remains an area where LSU needs more talent and depth. The Tigers are looking for cornerbacks who can lock down opposing wide receivers, provide coverage on deep routes, and add versatility to the defense.

There are several areas where LSU is looking to improve. First, the team needs cornerbacks who can cover speed and finesse. With the SEC being home to numerous high-powered offenses, the Tigers need to recruit cornerbacks who can keep up with fast, physical wide receivers. Additionally, LSU is seeking players who can play both man-to-man and zone coverage, as defensive schemes in the SEC require versatility.

Moreover, LSU is in need of cornerbacks who can contribute immediately, which is why they are focusing their attention on experienced players in the transfer portal. These players could help to provide instant depth, whether by being immediate starters or by allowing LSU to rotate their defensive backfield to keep players fresh throughout a long season.

3. Linebacker: Rebuilding the Defensive Front

The linebacker position is another critical area that LSU is seeking to reinforce. Linebackers serve as the backbone of the defense, often tasked with stopping the run, covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game, and being leaders on the field. LSU is looking to add depth and talent to its linebacker corps, which has experienced turnover and challenges in recent seasons.

In 2024, LSU saw some key contributors leave the linebacker position, creating opportunities for the Tigers to strengthen the unit. The team is searching for linebackers who have a combination of speed, strength, and football IQ. Ideally, LSU is targeting players who can be three-down contributors—linebackers who are capable of stopping the run, rushing the passer, and covering pass plays.

Defensive coordinator Matt House, who joined the team in 2022, is focused on creating a fast, aggressive defense. This philosophy requires versatile and fast linebackers who can cover ground quickly, read plays efficiently, and make crucial tackles in both the running and passing game. LSU is targeting transfer portal linebackers who are capable of fitting seamlessly into this scheme and bringing a heightened level of intensity to the defense.

The linebacking unit plays an essential role in LSU’s overall defensive performance. By bringing in experienced players from the transfer portal, LSU hopes to build a stronger defensive front capable of competing against some of the toughest teams in the SEC. Players with proven production at the collegiate level are a priority for LSU, as they look for immediate contributors who can make a difference from day one.

How LSU’s Transfer Portal Strategy Works

LSU’s strategy for utilizing the transfer portal is to be methodical and deliberate. The Tigers are not simply adding players for the sake of adding players; rather, they are focused on filling specific needs with quality recruits. The coaching staff at LSU has built strong relationships with high school and college coaches across the country, allowing them to target transfer portal candidates who fit the team’s culture and style of play.

The key to LSU’s success in the transfer portal will be finding players who can blend seamlessly with the current roster, while also bringing a new level of skill and leadership to the team. LSU is known for its competitive atmosphere, and the players they bring in need to be capable of stepping into that environment and thriving.

While LSU is prioritizing these three positions, they are also keeping an eye on other areas that may need reinforcement as the offseason continues. The Tigers will continue to monitor the transfer portal for additional talent and opportunities, ensuring that they have the depth and quality needed to compete at the highest level.