The LSU Football team started off the transfer portal red hot landing nearly every transfer they pushed for quickly building one of the best transfer classes in the Country. Things have cooled off over the last week as LSU's needs slowly dwindled down to only needing offensive linemen and safeties.
The LSU Football team has filled another need, nabbing Northwestern transfer Josh Thompson filling another hole on the offensive line.
BREAKING: Northwestern transfer IOL Josh Thompson has Committed to LSU, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 27, 2024
The 6’5 300 IOL started in 11 games this season (played in all 13)
Ranked as a Top 5 IOL in the Portal (per On3)https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/8VIxX3EqUL
According to On3, Thompson is the 4th ranked transfer on the interior offensive line and the 52nd ranked player in the transfer portal. This is a massive addition for LSU as Tennessee was predicted to land Thompson earlier this week while Auburn was also making a massive push.
The #Vols have received a prediction to land Northwestern OL Josh Thompson.
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) December 24, 2024
He’s the No. 4 IOL in the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/Ur6GShI17Q
Landing Thompson is massive for LSU as he brings a ton of positional versatility to the offensive line room. In 2023, Thompson started 11 games at Right Tackle allowing just two sacks on the entire season against Penn State. This season, Thompson played guard and was the second ranked guard in the Big Ten according to Pro Football Focus.
Thompson is the second transfer LSU has brought in on the offensive line joining Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore. LSU has now brought in two transfers that are flexible with where they play which helps as LSU tries to replace four starters with no clear answers at any of the position. Depending how the younger players develop, LSU can either deploy Thompson at Guard or tackle as he's played well in both roles.
This is another great example of how LSU is going All In with the NIL deals they're handing out as of late. The Tigers are competing with other top programs at the top end of the NIL spectrum for the first time in this new model and it's exciting to see the program fully bought in. Given that LSU has gone all in getting Garrett Nussmeier back and loading up on massive transfers at wide receiver, it's important that LSU lands top offensive linemen.