The LSU Football team has brought a ton of players in via the transfer portal thus far landing 13 transfers 11 of which who will play significant roles. The one position that LSU hasn't been able to address is the safety position which is a need. The Tigers have brought in Tawfiq Byard who is still taking visits and Zechariah Poyser who committed to Miami.
The Tigers have a need at safety as veterans Major Burns and Sage Ryan move on leaving two starting jobs open with Burns out of eligibility and Sage Ryan transferring to Ole Miss. While LSU looks for external replacements, they may be able to find another option internally.
As the Tigers prepare for the Texas Bowl against Baylor, LSU has moved defensive back Javien Toviano from cornerback to safety. At the end of the week, Brian Kelly had high praise for Toviano and how he's adjusting to the position.
"We're really pleased. He's a half safety and we're really pleased with him at that position. He's got corner skills playing the safety position. He's excited, he's happy, getting first team reps there and couldn't be more happy with the work we're getting from him. He'll stay there moving forward. He gives us a really good tackler, he's athletic, can play the No. 2 wide receiver and that's his position in the NFL."Brian Kelly
Moving Toviano to safety is a massive move and likely one that should've been made earlier as it's always seemed like his true position. Toviano played a ton at cornerback as a freshman appearing in 13 games and starting three at cornerback. This season Toviano moved to the star position where he was behind Major Burns but, he now moves all the way back to safety and will likely fit best there.
Toviano has cornerback skills but, he's always made his impact for LSU as a great blitzer and a solid tackler. Moving Toviano now brings a ton of competition to the safety room between Toviano, DaShawn Spears, Jardin Gilbert, Joel Rogers, and Austin Ausberry.
The Texas Bowl should be a great proving ground and could vault a player like Toviano or Spears into the starting role heading into Spring practice. The Tigers have a few safeties on the roster capable of starting in the SEC and if they can prove it on the field, LSU will be able to solve its issue at safety.