We're rapidly approaching the unofficial start to the offseason as players have already begun announcing their plans to enter the transfer portal. After what was a disappointing season for the LSU Football team the Tigers will need to be active players in the Transfer Portal after they hardly used it last season. Brian Kelly addressed this on Monday by saying we'll likely see LSU's biggest transfer class yet.
"We will be very aggressive. We weren't in the transfer portal last year. Put together a Defensive Line with minimal resources. We stayed, to use a term loosely, well under the cap. We're also bringing in 16 mid-years (Freshmen) and maybe the largest transfer portal class as well."Brian Kelly
The Tigers don't need to go into the transfer portal for a massive class of players but, they will need to grab the right players. Given what LSU will lose this offseason and where they missed in the recruiting class there are a few glaring needs.
After losing Bryce Underwood to Michigan, LSU likely won't land a quarterback in this year's recruiting class. In recruiting you like to bring in a Quarterback every offseason as it gives you options in the room and insurance in case of injury. We'll likely see LSU bring in a quarterback that can push Garrett Nussmeier while also giving LSU a clear plan after Nussmeier leaves campus. If Garrett Nussmeier decides to enter the NFL Draft we'll quickly see that approach change to LSU bringing in a top tier quarterback that can start right away.
At Wide Receiver, LSU is going to lose its most productive player as Kyren Lacy will leave for the NFL Draft. Aaron Anderson will return as will CJ Daniels but, you'd like to see LSU go out and get an elite wide receiver that can be Garrett Nussmeier's top target. The wide receiver position is one of the easiest to land impact players at in the transfer portal which makes it a great market for LSU.
Garrett Nussmeier will likely lose his other top target if tight end Mason Taylor enters the NFL Draft. Where LSU will miss Taylor isn't his play as a receiver as they have capable pass catchers in Trey'Dez Green and Ka'Morreun Pimpton. The Tigers will miss Taylor's blocking as he's become a massive piece of LSU's rushing attack. We'll likely see LSU dip into the transfer portal to land a solid blocking tight end who can give them some plays as a receiver as well.
The position we'll see LSU lose the most talent is on the offensive line as they'll lose both starting guards Garrett Dellinger and Miles Frazier as well as the starting tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr unless they return rather than entering the Draft. LSU has a ton of talent in the room but, realistically you can't enter the year with four first time starters on the line. The transfer portal is a tough place to land SEC Caliber offensive linemen but, you'd like to see the Tigers land a player or two with playing experience.
On the defensive line LSU will lose both edge rushers Bradyn Swinson and Sai'Vion Jones as well as defensive tackles Paris Shand and Gio Paez. LSU has a ton of pieces like DaShawn Womack, Gabe Reliford, Dominick McKinley, and a massive freshmen class coming in but, the Tigers should be active in bringing in pieces for the defensive line rotation.
In the secondary LSU will lose Major Burns, Zy Alexander, Sage Ryan, and they may lose Jardin Gilbert. As Corey Raymond brings in a loaded class of Freshmen cornerbacks, we'll likely see the playing time at cornerback go to the freshmen. Where you'd like to see LSU go get a massive piece is at safety as it has been a position LSU has lacked impact players at for a long time.