The Tigers have went out and spent like a program hungry to win a National Championship nabbing top transfers at nearly every position of need. The Tigers have gone from a team that would've been pretty good in 2025 to a team that has one of the most talented rosters in the Country. Now that Brian Kelly has his most talented roster of his LSU tenure, it's up to him to prove he's among the elite head coaches by getting this team to gel reaching its full potential.
It all starts with player retention and for the most part, LSU got nearly everyone it needed back into the fold. There wasn't a shocking massive loss taken by the transfer portal and the Tigers then got Garrett Nussmeier and Harold Perkins to pass up the NFL Draft returning for one more season. Add in returnees like Whit Weeks, Aaron Anderson, Caden Durham, and Trey'Dez Green among others and the Tigers bring back an impressive group.
The Tigers would have been fine at wide receiver with what was being brought back with the likes of Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton Jr, Kyle Parker, Zavion Thomas, Jelani Watkins, and Kylan Billiot. Instead, the Tigers decided fine wasn't enough and added Nic Anderson, Barion Brown, and Destyn Hill.
Nic Anderson is the massive target on the outside that LSU was missing with Kyren Lacy departing and based on what he did in 2023, could be a 1,000 yard receiver. Barion Brown is a player that can do it all, he can beat opposing defenses deep, he can take a screen pass the distance, and he's one of the best kick returners in the Country. Destyn Hill is a long-term developmental piece but, if he's able to recover from his ACL injury he'll be an incredible addition to the room.
The offensive line loses four of five starters as Will Campbell, Emery Jones Jr, Miles Frazier, and Garrett Dellinger. The Tigers used the transfer portal to supplement the young pieces by adding interior offensive linemen Braelin Moore and Josh Thompson. Moore and Thompson are instant plug and play starters on the interior offensive line which will help as LSU will have two new starters at both tackle positions.
Trey'Dez Green emerged at the Texas Bowl but, LSU still needed to add bodies to a tight end room that has lost Mason Taylor, Ka'Morreun Pimpton, and Mac Markway since the start of the season. Brian Kelly's first transfer addition came as he landed Bauer Sharp who led Oklahoma in receiving and will help in replace Mason Taylor as a capable and willing blocker. The Tigers then added Donovan Green a high upside player making his way back from injury who could end up being one of the biggest transfer additions if he's able to return to his Freshman form.
The story of the Brian Kelly era has been abysmal defenses as the Matt House tenure was brutal likely costing Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr a College Football Playoff birth. The Tigers have gone out and added the pieces to make this a defense good enough to win with.
As Bradyn Swinson and Sai'Vion Jones are off to the NFL, the staff needed to replace it's edge rush production. The Tigers started off by landing Jack Pyburn and Jimari Butler two defenders that have pass rush upside but, are solid defenders against the run. Even after adding two edge rusher, Patrick Payton entered the transfer portal and the Tigers jumped on it landing a player with 10+ sack potential.
As Bo Davis continues to rebuild the interior defensive line he went out and brought in Sydir Mitchell a defensive tackle he recruited to and coached at Texas who can be a rotational piece up front.
The area where LSU has struggled the most is in the Secondary which is why Corey Raymond was brought back to LSU last season. Thus far Corey Raymond has made a great push on the recruiting trail to bring back the "DBU" standard.
Raymond landed a cornerback he's familar with in Ja'Keem Jackson, a former top recruit Raymond coached at Florida. Jackson was a starter for the Gators to start the year but, an injury derailed his season. If Jackson can reach the form he was expected to play at this season, he's an instant starter and a massive upgrade for the Tigers.
The same can be said for cornerback Mansoor Delane who LSU brings in from Virginia Tech. This season, Delane recorded 54 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions. On his resume, Delane has a Freshman All-American nod and All ACC honors as he's put together three impressive seasons.
The biggest addition for LSU may be their final addition as they landed NC State Safety Tamarcus Cooley. Safety was far and away the Tigers biggest need and they went out and landed the 2nd ranked transfer safety. This season, Cooley recorded a 80.8 defensive grade and a 81.8 coverage grade according to PFF which are solid numbers. Adding Cooley gives LSU a plug and play safety while allowing the returning pieces to compete for the final role.
The pieces are in place for Brian Kelly, the roster is now filled with players he and his staff have brought in and the excuse of a decimated roster from Coach Orgeron's firing are no longer an excuse. This team has built up an incredible roster and the standard is College Football Playoff or bust which should be the case most seasons under the new expanded playoff.