The LSU running back room has plenty of depth heading into the 2026 season. Lane Kiffin retained both Caden Durham and Harlem Berry, who figure to make for a dynamic 1-2 punch in the Tiger backfield. Kiffin also utilized the transfer portal to bring plenty of depth, adding Raycine Guillory from Utah, Rod Gainey Jr. from Charlotte, Dilin Jones from Wisconsin, and Stacy Gage from UCF.
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Redshirt sophomore Kaleb Jackson has spent the last 3 years with LSU, but he entered the transfer portal back in early January. Now, he has announced his commitment to his new team.
Kaleb Jackson commits to North Carolina through the transfer portal
According to Pete Nakos of On3, Jackson has committed to play for Bill Belichick at North Carolina next season. Jackson is a Baton Rouge native and racked up 331 yards and 4 touchdowns on 82 carries in 3 seasons with the purple and goal. He appears in just 4 games this season, and has 2 years of eligibility remaining.
LSU running back Kaleb Jackson has signed with North Carolina, @On3 has learned. https://t.co/NUVZtWmlXP pic.twitter.com/Yxsjln0S1M
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) January 19, 2026
Jackson was originally a 4-star prospect out of Liberty Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, and chose to stay local and play for the Tigers under Brian Kelly. He was ranked as the No. 189 overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting class according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
With Durham and Berry both coming back, it would've been difficult for Jackson to carve out a bigger role in the LSU rushing attack in 2026. Jackson joins Ju'Juan Johnson (Syracuse), JT Lindsey (Ole Miss), and Malachi Lane (UT-Rio Grand Valley) as former Tiger running backs to seek new opportunities in the portal for 2026.
The college football transfer portal was open from January 2-16, but there is no deadline to commit once players enter. As it stands, Kiffin has brought in 38 transfers while LSU has lost 37 transfers through the portal.