LSU’s Secondary in the Aftermath of the Transfer Portal: A Comprehensive Analysis
The Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers football team has long been known for its tradition of strong, physical defenses. In recent seasons, however, the secondary has faced its share of challenges and changes. The 2024 season, in particular, stood as a pivotal moment for LSU’s secondary, with significant additions and subtractions via the NCAA Transfer Portal. This essay aims to explore where LSU’s secondary currently stands following a transformative season and to analyze the impact of the transfer portal on the unit’s overall performance and future trajectory.
The State of LSU’s Secondary Heading into 2024
LSU’s secondary entered the 2024 season with a mixture of expectations and uncertainties. The team had an interesting combination of returning starters, new faces, and freshmen coming in with high expectations. The Tigers’ defensive backfield was led by a veteran coaching staff, but after a disappointing 2023 season in which LSU allowed over 300 passing yards per game, significant changes were inevitable.
In terms of personnel, LSU’s secondary was a mixture of upperclassmen who had shown flashes of brilliance and younger players still finding their footing in the college ranks. However, the vulnerability of the secondary during the 2023 season forced LSU’s coaching staff to look toward the transfer portal to bolster the unit. The defensive backfield, in particular, had become a weak spot for LSU, one that needed immediate improvement in order to keep pace with the high-flying offenses in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
The Transfer Portal Impact: A Game-Changer for LSU
The NCAA Transfer Portal has significantly reshaped college football rosters in recent years, and LSU has been an active participant in this new era of recruiting. The Tigers have utilized the portal to acquire talent that immediately elevates the level of play, and in 2024, this strategy was particularly focused on the secondary. LSU’s coaching staff understood that improvements were necessary to compete at the highest level in the SEC and nationally, and the transfer portal provided an avenue to make those improvements quickly.
Several key players were added to LSU’s secondary through the portal, and these players were expected to make an immediate impact. Among the notable transfers were defensive backs from high-level programs who had the ability to come in and contribute immediately due to their experience and skillsets. Some transfers came in with a wealth of game experience from top-tier programs, while others brought a high upside with athleticism and the potential to develop into major contributors.
Notable Transfers to LSU’s Secondary in 2024
- DB – Jalen Washington (Transferred from Alabama)
Washington was one of the most highly coveted transfers in the SEC during the 2024 offseason. Known for his ball-hawking skills and physicality, Washington provided immediate help to LSU’s defensive backfield. His familiarity with SEC-level competition gave him an edge over other incoming transfers, and his ability to lock down top receivers was expected to bolster LSU’s defense. - S – Caleb Harris (Transferred from Michigan State)
Harris, a seasoned safety with exceptional range and tackling ability, was another key addition. His experience in the Big Ten made him well-prepared for the rigors of SEC football, and his ability to play both in coverage and against the run provided LSU with versatility in its secondary. Harris brought leadership qualities as well, which were necessary in a secondary that had been criticized for its lack of cohesion in previous seasons. - CB – Terrell Green (Transferred from Oklahoma State)
Green had established himself as one of the top corners in the Big 12, and his addition to LSU’s secondary was seen as a game-changer. Green’s ability to cover elite receivers and his knack for creating turnovers were traits that immediately made him a standout player. As a transfer, Green’s quick adaptation to LSU’s defensive scheme was pivotal in turning around the secondary’s performance.
These additions not only helped solidify LSU’s secondary but also gave the coaching staff greater flexibility in how they could deploy different personnel packages. With these transfers, LSU could match up better against the explosive offenses they would face in the SEC, particularly in high-stakes matchups against teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss.
LSU’s Returners: Balancing Experience and Development
While the transfer portal played a significant role in reshaping LSU’s secondary, the returning players were also crucial to the defense’s success. A few of the Tigers’ returning defensive backs showed significant improvement and played pivotal roles during the 2024 season. Key returners included:
- CB – Mekhi Garner
Garner had developed into one of LSU’s most reliable cornerbacks in previous seasons. Known for his physical style of play and ability to disrupt passing lanes, Garner was expected to continue building on his performances and take on a leadership role in the secondary. - S – Major Burns
Burns, a returning safety, had earned a reputation as a playmaker and leader in the secondary. His experience in the LSU defense, along with his instincts in both coverage and run support, made him an essential piece of the defensive puzzle in 2024.
These returners, along with the influx of talent from the transfer portal, created a healthy balance between experience and youthful potential. LSU’s defensive backfield now had a mixture of players who could execute in high-pressure situations while still bringing fresh, exciting playmaking potential.
On-Field Results: Defensive Performance in 2024
The transformation of LSU’s secondary was immediately noticeable during the 2024 season. The Tigers’ defense took a marked step forward, as their secondary improved both in coverage and in tackling. LSU’s defensive backs were able to shut down passing attacks more effectively, and the addition of turnover-forcing players helped boost the overall defense’s productivity.
By the end of the regular season, LSU’s secondary had vastly improved in several key statistical categories. They allowed fewer passing yards per game, forced more turnovers, and improved in pass coverage, especially on third downs. The defensive backfield’s ability to lock down wide receivers, along with improved safety play, created a more well-rounded defense.
While there were still areas to improve upon — such as consistency in coverage against high-tempo offenses and deeper pass routes — LSU’s secondary had solidified itself as a formidable unit within the SEC. The experience and playmaking ability of the transfer portal additions, combined with the growth of returners, made LSU’s secondary one of the most improved units in the country.
Looking Ahead: Future of LSU’s Secondary
As LSU’s 2024 season concluded, the impact of the transfer portal was undeniable. The Tigers had successfully addressed their most glaring weakness in the secondary, and the results on the field reflected this improvement. However, the work is far from done.
In the years to come, LSU’s coaching staff will need to continue to develop their secondary players, both through recruiting high school talent and utilizing the transfer portal for immediate needs. As long as the SEC remains one of the most competitive conferences in college football, LSU will need to maintain a strong secondary capable of shutting down high-powered offenses.
Additionally, continued player development and the ability to recruit top-tier talent, both from the high school ranks and through the transfer portal, will be essential for LSU to remain competitive in the SEC and beyond. The challenge for LSU moving forward will be to maintain the high level of play they have established in the secondary while continuing to develop younger players and integrating new transfer talent.
