LSU's defense just got a whole lot better.
With his latest transfer portal addition, Lane Kiffin has added Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery to LSU's 2026 roster. Dottery has played a vital role in the Rebel defense over the last 2 seasons, and is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he led the SEC in tackles with 98 (48 solo). He also collected a pair of forced fumbles, a pair of pass breakups, and 1.5 sacks.
Brother of LSU superstar is Baton Rouge bound in Lane Kiffin's latest portal add
Dottery comes to Baton Rouge after one season with Clemson and 3 seasons with Kiffin at Ole Miss. He sat out the 2023 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but took on a large role in 2024. In his career, he's racked up 174 tackles (90 solo), 3 pass breakups, 3.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. The 6'2" 230-pound linebacker has one year of eligibility left, and brings a valuable skill set to Blake Baker's defense in 2026.
Committed to The Boot
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) January 17, 2026
Welcome to Baton Rouge TJ Dottery pic.twitter.com/FZQ5rEOJQ1
Star linebacker TJ Dottery follows Lane Kiffin from Ole Miss to LSU
Dottery's commitment to LSU came just after midnight on Friday night, right as the transfer portal window was closing. Dottery is the 35th incoming transfer for Kiffin and the Tigers, and the 3rd player Kiffin has poached from Ole Miss. He joins fellow Ole Miss transfers WR Winston Watkins Jr and OL Devin Harper, as well as incoming freshman OL Ryan Miret, who flipped his commitment from Ole Miss to LSU shortly after Kiffin was announced as LSU's next head coach.
Dottery figures to take on a significant role in Baker's defense in 2026. LSU lost Harold Perkins Jr. to the NFL Draft, and Dottery could be a perfect replacement for that role. Standout linebacker Whit Weeks is also back, and the Dottery/Weeks combination could yield tremendous results for LSU.
The combination gives LSU two of the best tacklers in the country heading into Kiffin's first season in Baton Rouge. Weeks finished 2nd in the SEC with 125 tackles in 2024, and Dottery led the conference with 98 tackles this past season.
Other returning linebackers also expected to contribute include Davhon Keys, Zach Weeks, Charles Ross, and Jaiden Braker.