7 Potential Defensive Tackle Targets for the LSU Tigers

The transfer portal officially opened Today and while most teams will look to add players at various positions Brian Kelly has made what he's looking for clear. Brian Kelly told the media that the team will only be pursuing players at defensive tackle after losing Mekhi Wingo, Maason Smith, and Jordan Jefferson to the NFL Draft. The Tigers have already landed a commitment from Wisconsin Transfer Gio Paez who committed in March but, they'll likely look to add two more tackles. It's early on in the transfer window but, here are a few early entrants to watch as LSU looks to add some depth at the defensive tackle position.

Stanley Ta'ufo'ou - USC Trojans

The veteran defensive tackle has entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer with one season of eligibility remaining. Ta'ufo'ou has played in four seasons recording 55 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and a sack. The addition would give Brian Kelly an experienced rotational piece as he looks to bolster the defensive line.

Jermayne Lole - Louisville

The Louisville defensive tackle will be one of the best tackles in the transfer portal as he looks for a new school with one year of eligibility. Lole spent three seasons at Arizona State before ending up at Louisville totaling 141 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 10 pass deflections, and 3 forced fumbles. Adding Lole would give LSU an instant starter at defensive tackle in 2024.

Anthony Dunn Jr. - Florida A&M

Anthony Dunn Jr of Florida A&M is the best long-term addition for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers in the transfer portal. Dunn Jr is coming off of an incredible Sophomore season with 40 tackles and 5 sacks while being named to the SWAC First-Team. The addition of Dunn would give the defense a high-caliber player with the possibility of filling the role beyond 2024.

Derrick Shepard Jr. - Cincinnati

Derrick Shepard was a four-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class before heading to Cincinnati where he redshirted and played one season before entering the transfer portal. Shepard will have three years of eligibility remaining after recording four tackles this season. Adding Shepard would give LSU a developmental player at defensive tackle who could become a rotational piece as soon as this season.

Chazz Wallace - Colorado

After starting his career at Old Dominion and transferring to Colorado, Chazz Wallace is in the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining. Through three seasons of College Football, Wallace has recorded 65 tackles, 5 sacks, and 10 tackles for a loss. Wallace isn't a high-end talent but, he could find himself in the rotation at LSU if the Tigers bring him in.

Phillip Blidi - Indiana

Indiana transfer Philip Blidi is a likely candidate to end up at LSU as he was in Baton Rouge for the Spring Game. Before the visit for the Spring Game, Blidi was heavily expected to land at Auburn or Oklahoma but, LSU may be firmly in the race. The Graduate transfer has recorded 70 tackles and 2.5 sacks across four seasons of college football. Blidi is a name to watch in the coming days as LSU looks to fill it's need at defensive tackle.

CJ West - Kent State

The Kent State defensive tackle will be one of the most coveted graduate transfers in the transfer portal with one season of eligibility remaining. West has started for three seasons racking up 109 tackles, 8 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection. Adding West would give LSU an instant starter at defensive tackle giving the team an experienced starter it desperately needs.

Would LSU consider any other positions?

While Brian Kelly has said that the Tigers will only look to add defensive tackles it's certainly possible, that they consider adding any elite talents that enter the transfer portal. After the defensive struggles in 2023, the LSU Tigers should without a doubt consider adding any SEC-caliber defensive starters that enter the transfer portal. Offensively the team has loads of talent but, if an experienced productive receiver enters the transfer portal it would certainly be worth a look.

Note: All Stats via ESPN