LSU general manager Billy Glasscock and head coach Lane Kiffin have brought in nearly 30 players through the transfer portal so far. They've done a great job addressing LSU's biggest needs when revamping the Tiger roster for Kiffin's first season in Baton Rouge.
Former LSU QB TJ Finley makes transfer decision to join seventh college team
With that being said, there are still some top playmakers they missed out on.
WR Cam Coleman, Auburn
Cam Coleman immediately became the top WR on the market when he announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. Coleman is ranked as the No. 1 WR in the portal by Saturday Blitz, and would have made for a great addition for Kiffin's first team at LSU. Despite poor QB play at Auburn over the last 2 seasons, Coleman emerged into a bonafide star. He's racked up 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns in his career, and is coming off a season in which he totaled 56 catches for 708 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Coleman has spectacular playmaking ability, and would have been a great WR1 in Kiffin's offensive scheme. However, Coleman passed on LSU and chose to join the Texas Longhorns. Entering his junior season, Coleman has a legitimate chance to push Jeremiah Smith for status as the best wide receiver in all of college football. Kiffin has added plenty of other WR talent by signing 6 receivers through the portal so far, but getting Coleman would have been a match made in heaven.
QB Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati
Former Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby was Kiffin's first target at the quarterback position in when the portal opened up. Sorsby visited Baton Rouge, and his decision came down to LSU or Texas Tech. He ultimately chose Texas Tech, which left Kiffin to look for other options. He found Sam Leavitt, and after plenty of ups and downs during his recruitment, was able to sign the former Arizona State gunslinger earlier this week.
Missing out on Sorsby didn't end up to be a catastrophic miss for Kiffin and the Tigers, as Leavitt has a legit chance to compete for the Heisman Trophy. However, there are some injury concerns, which could be why Kiffin first went after Sorsby. Leavitt suffered a season-ending foot injury against Houston on October 25, and underwent surgery in early November. He appears to be on schedule in his recovery, but there's still a chance his spring practice time could be impacted. Tiger fans are hoping LSU's new QB1 maintains full health throughout the 2026 season.
OL Jaccarius Peak, NC State
LSU's offensive line is in the process of a substantial rebuild. A total of 7 Tiger offensive linemen entered the portal following the 2025 season, including 4 starters. NC State's Jaccarius Peak was ranked as the top OL transfer recruit available by Saturday Blitz, and was the top target for teams across the country looking for OL help. After allowing just 2 sacks in 486 pass blocking snaps this season, including zero pressures in his last 4 regular season games, Peak earned All-ACC Honorable Mention honors in 2025.
Peak would have been a great get for leading LSU's revamped offensive line in 2026, but he signed with South Carolina during his visit to Columbia. LSU still signed William Satterwhite, Darrin Strey, and Ja'Quan Sprinkle through the portal, and has 4-star prospect Brysten Martinez and 3-star recruit Ryan Miret incoming as a part of the 2026 recruiting class. But Peak's experience and proven talent would have made him a Day 1 starter in Baton Rouge.