This offseason, LSU has gone out and has taken what would've been a good roster to the next level as they've gone out and landed massive impact players via the transfer portal. Most of these pieces will impact the team in 2025 while others stand out as long term developmental pieces. As LSU heads into 2025, here is how we Power Rank the transfer portal additions:
It's certainly exciting to see Destyn Hill return to Louisiana but, in 2025 he's likely not a top end impact player. Hill took two years off after high school, caught 6 passes in 2023, and tore his ACL missing 2024. The Tigers will need to develop Hill especially as he comes off of an ACL injury but, based on how loaded LSU's receiver room is Hill likely won't need to make an impact on day one.
This Spring, Sydir Mitchell may emerge as a top defensive tackle on the roster but, his relative inexperience makes his impact hard to judge. Mitchell was a highly touted recruit and a player Texas had a ton of hope for him but, he was stuck behind a loaded group of tackles. If Bo Davis is able to get the most out of Mitchell he'll be in the rotation at defensive tackle but, it's too early to tell what his impact can be.
This season was a down year for Jimari Butler who recorded 22 tackles and 2 sacks a year after racking up 34 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Under Kevin Peoples, Butler may be able to develop to the best of his ability. When it comes to edge rush evaluations, Kevin Peoples is the best and if he sees something in a player, everyone should take note. Butler and Patrick Payton are likely the two edges we'll see in pass rush situations while Jack Pyburn and Gabe Reliford make the most sense against the run.
When LSU landed Bauer Sharp it was a massive deal as LSU desperately needed to bring in tight ends as LSU lost three since the start of camp. Then in the Texas Bowl Trey'Dez Green was dominant and it quickly showed that Green needs to be the every down Tight End. In 2025, Sharp will likely now serve as the second tight end as a strong blocker and a capable receiver but, he'll be behind Green.
In a perfect world, Michael Van Buren only plays during mop up duty and in a few early season games that are blow outs. In the Oklahoma game we saw how bad the quarterback play was behind Garrett Nussmeier and landing an electric playmaker at Quarterback in Van Buren can ease a ton of those concerns. Michael Van Buren will come in and immediately bring competition to the room making everyone better while potentially being the Quarterback of the Future for LSU.
If the Tigers have struggled in one area the most its setting a solid edge and defending the run game well. In Florida transfer Jack Pyburn, LSU lands a player that will instantly upgrade the run defense. Pyburn as an edge rusher won't rack up a ton of sacks but, he'll be a tackling machine that brings an intensity and an edge to the defense that LSU has been missing.
This Spring, Ja'Keem Jackson has the most to gain by a strong showing during camp. Jackson was a starter at cornerback for Florida this year but, an injury kept him out for most of the year. Corey Raymond brought Jackson to Florida and coached him, and if he's able to recover from his injury he could be LSU's best cornerback in 2025.
This season, punting was a massive issue for LSU making offensive stalled drives even worse than they already were. After getting inconsistent results from two punters, the Tigers went out and landed one of the best freshman punters landing Chadwick who averaged 43.4 yard per punt which is more than Blake Ochsendorf (40.2) and Peyton Todd (41.3).
When Corey Raymond arrived back in Baton Rouge, the hope was that he'd bring LSU back to its DBU days of glory. Thus far, Raymond has brought the pieces in to achieve that goal and one of the best examples is landing transfer Mansoor Delane. In every mock draft you'd look at, Mansoor Delane was a 2nd to 3rd round pick so the Tigers get a player of that caliber into the defensive backfield. Delane is a solid tackler and can slot in immediately at cornerback but, his best fit may be at safety. Bringing in a cornerback with Delane's experience and skill set is one that instantly makes LSU's defense better.
Given the fact that LSU needed to replace four starters on the offensive line the Tigers needed to add a ton of experience. In Braelin Moore, LSU landed a multi-year starter at center and guard who will play right away for LSU. Not only will Moore help as a blocker but, his experience will be vital at the line of scrimmage as he can help in changing protections while it'll allow DJ Chester to move back to guard.
Landing Josh Thompson is massive for LSU as he brings a ton of positional versatility to the offensive line room which is tasked with replacing four starters in 2025. 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. If Thompson sticks at guard then the Tigers land an elite guard while at tackle, Thompson can be a high upside piece for the Tigers.
Not only is LSU getting a massive deep threat in Barion Brown but, there's no limit to the impact he can have in 2025. Brown is a player that you get the ball to early and often and watch him make highlight reel plays. Brown can beat opposing teams deep, he'll turn a screen pass into a massive gain, and he's one of the best returners in the Country. It'll be up to the staff to deploy Brown as best as possible but, the Tigers get a top end player in Brown.
After landing Barion Brown in the transfer portal, it was clear that LSU needed a receiver with size that they could put on the outside to replace Kyren Lacy. Not only did they get that with Nic Anderson but, they landed a potential 1,000 yard receiver. Anderson missed 2024 with an injury but, in 2023 he caught 38 passes for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns. Anderson is now in a much better passing attack and very well may lead a loaded LSU receiving room.
Even though LSU had already entered the transfer portal, it was clear that LSU needed to pursue Florida State transfer Patrick Payton. Payton comes with a ton of proven pass rush ability as he's recorded 16 sacks across three seasons of playing time at Florida State. His 2024 season was a let down but, if Kevin Peoples is able to take his game to another level like Peoples did with Bradyn Swinson then the Tigers are getting a potential 10+ sack player.