The one position that LSU hasn't been able to quite fill out via the transfer portal thus far is the safety position. The Tigers have hosted several safeties on visits such as Zechariah Poyser and Tawfiq Byard but, both have committed to and signed with other schools. While LSU awaits more safeties to enter the transfer portal, they may need to find starters from within.
The Tigers will lose two starting safeties this offseason as Major Burns is out of eligibility while Sage Ryan chose to transfer to Ole Miss. The Tigers also lost Kylin Jackson who transferred to TCU who could've been an answer at safety.
The Tigers may already have Major Burns' star position filled with the news that Harold Perkins will return in 2025. Perkins was slated to start playing the star position and has some experience there but, his season ending injury kept Burns in the role rather than at safety.
As LSU prepares for the Texas Bowl, Major Burns won't be playing which opens up playing time for several of LSU's young safeties.
Major Burns is not playing in the Texas Bowl, so there will be some different players in LSU’s secondary. Chance for Dashawn Spears and Javien Toviano to get reps.
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) December 28, 2024
Given that Jardin Gilbert will be returning as the starter he will certainly stick in his role as one of LSU's starting safeties.
The other two positions will be up to LSU's younger safeties to fill and potentially earn their playing time long term. The players with the most to prove in the Texas Bowl are safeties DaShawn Spears and Javien Toviano.
Spears played a ton early on as a true freshman making some impressive plays early on but, once LSU got into the thick of SEC play, the staff chose to go with the veterans. Javien Toviano is a more interesting case as he played a ton at cornerback as a true freshman but, was moved to the star position but, hardly played. Brian Kelly mentioned that LSU has moved Toviano to safety full time where he'll stick going forward.
The two dark horses that could earn significant playing time are Austin Ausberry and Joel Rogers who haven't played a ton thus far but, could improve their stock with strong showings in the Texas Bowl. It'll be interesting to see what the staff does with Ju'Juan Johnson as he started the year at safety but, was moved to running back. Given that Caden Durham will return and that LSU adds two top-ten running backs this recruiting cycle it's hard to imagine Johnson will play a ton at running back.