The LSU Football team has been one of the most active teams in the transfer portal as they've already signed nine transfers. Among those nine transfers, LSU signed two edge rushers Nebraska's Jimari Butler and Florida's Jack Pyburn. While LSU has already signed the two edge rushers, the Tigers should be one of the team's that pursues Florida State transfer edge rusher Patrick Payton who entered the Portal on Wednesday.
BREAKING: Florida State EDGE Patrick Payton plans to enter the Transfer Portal, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 18, 2024
The 6’5 250 EDGE totaled 109 Tackles, 32 TFL, 16 Sacks, 12 PD, & 3 FF in 3 seasons with FSU
2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year
1 year of eligibilityhttps://t.co/nFgL128uVh pic.twitter.com/volHKtBAwQ
Jack Pyburn and Jimari Butler are both solid edge rushers but, they're more so players that are solid against the run combining for 3 sacks last season as starters for their respective teams. In Bradyn Swinson and Sai'Vion Jones, the Tigers need to replace 13 sacks as LSU's edge duo was dominant getting after the passer.
That's why adding Patrick Payton is such an appealing addition for LSU as he's a proven pass rusher. Payton had a down season this year recording just 4 sacks after recording 7 sacks in 2023 and 5 sacks in 2022. Patrick Payton faced LSU in 2023 and while he didn't record a sack, he had some impressive reps against Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr.
Payton has all the traits you'd like in an edge rusher: burst, bend, and length and under a Coach like Kevin Peoples, he could put it all together. This season, we saw Kevin Peoples get massive seasons out of Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones who had shown far less in their careers before his arrival.
#FSU EDGE Patrick Payton has had some eye popping flashes opposite of Jared Verse this season. Uses his length to his advantage as a pass rusher but has some hip fluidity and bend around the corner too.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 30, 2023
Desirable traits/size who could become a top flight pass rusher next cycle. pic.twitter.com/LSB2sQIHVU
Given that LSU has already added two edge rushers, it's hard to gauge whether or not they'll pursue Payton and how hard they'd push. Given that LSU is seemingly going All In via the transfer portal, it makes a ton of sense to pursue an experienced, proven pass rusher that can instantly help LSU while playing in a rotation with Pyburn and Butler.