While the offseason has given LSU a ton of new pieces whether they are instant starters or developmental pieces it has also taken a few players away. While in most cases the players likely wouldn't have played next season it is sometimes disappointing to see former top recruits leave without making a big impact like everyone thought.
Early on in the transfer portal cycle, Wide Receiver Shelton Sampson Jr entered the transfer portal after his second season at LSU. Given that Shelton Sampson Jr was such a highly touted receiver out of Louisiana it was disappointing to see him go.
After taking some time to make a decision, Shelton Sampson Jr will be staying in Louisiana as he committed to the ULL Ragin Cajuns.
God’s Plan ✝️ pic.twitter.com/NiaqGuL60h
— Shelton Sampson Jr. (@sampson_shelton) December 28, 2024
The move reunites Shelton Sampson Jr with his former Catholic High teammate quarterback Daniel Beale. The transfer also teams Shelton Sampson Jr with former LSU Tiger Walker Howard who transferred from LSU to Ole Miss and now lands at ULL where he'll look to finally start.
Sampson appeared in eight games this season after redshirting the 2023 season but, didn't record a catch.
While at times its hard to accept a player's choice in transferring, this is the perfect use of the transfer portal. Given what LSU has done this offseason bringing in transfers at wide receiver it's clear that Brian Kelly wasn't going to rely on unproven receivers. Shelton Sampson Jr instead lands somewhere where he'll get to play and he stays close to home like he did when he originally chose LSU.