As Lane Kiffin takes over the LSU Football program, Tiger fans are eager to see how the utilizes the transfer portal. Kiffin has used the portal heavily over the last several seasons at Ole Miss, leading the Rebels to their best-ever regular season in 2025. LSU fans are hoping that success translates to his first season in Baton Rouge.
College football insider has the perfect QB fit in mind for Lane Kiffin and LSU
LSU also utilized the portal heavily last offseason, most notably bringing in several impact playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Offense tends to be Kiffin's calling card, but it's imperative that he and defensive coordinator Blake Baker find the right playmakers to add to LSU's strong defensive performance from this past regular season.
One player who could fit right in is Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard.
Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard plans to enter the portal, and LSU could be a great fit
On Wednesday, On3's Hayes Fawcett reported that Byard plans to enter the transfer portal. The talented safety figures to be one of the top safeties on the market.
BREAKING: Colorado starting Safety Tawfiq Byard plans to enter the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports⁰⁰The past 2 seasons he’s totaled 140 Tackles, 16.5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 2 FF, & 2 INT⁰⁰2 years of eligibility left ⁰⁰https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/OkKJFjz7Gx
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 17, 2025
Byard transferred to Colorado after spending two seasons at South Florida in 2023 and 2024. In what turned out to be an extremely underwhelming season for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, Byard put together a strong 2025 campaign.
The sophomore safety led Colorado with 79 tackles, including 7.5 for a loss. He was by far Colorado's best defensive player, and seemed to always be making timely plays in the biggest moments.
Still with two years of eligibility remaining, Byard plans to enter the portal in January. He figures to be one of the most coveted safeties on the market.
LSU brought in several transfers to bolster its defensive backfield last offseason, most notably landing cornerback Mansoor Delane and safety AJ Haulcy. Both had tremendous seasons in Baton Rouge, with Delane being a Consensus All-American and Haulcy was named a First-Team All-American. Could Byard be the next impact playmaker?