Last year, Brian Kelly famously said the LSU Football program "Wasn't in the market of buying players" referring to the demands in the Spring Transfer Portal. After a 9-4 season, LSU has flipped that mentality as Brian Kelly and his staff went out and recruited the biggest transfer class of Kelly's tenure to come to LSU. In the winter, LSU seemingly landed every transfer it made a run at leading into the spring where Kelly's staff is continuing to put that emphasis on transfers landing one of the Nation's top transfers.
The additions to the roster have taken LSU from a solid team to a roster worthy of competing for the SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff contender. After year's of struggling on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield, LSU checked both needs off. As Garrett Nussmeier returns as one of the best quarterbacks in the Country, LSU used it to its advantage bringing in 5 talented pass catchers. Nearly every piece LSU brought in this Spring will have a role on the team and a sizeable impact.
Ranking LSU's 17 transfers by their expected impact in 2025
17. Donovan Green - Tight End
The Tigers needed to add tight ends to the roster reloading the room which led LSU to take a chance on Donovan Green. Coming off of back-to-back seasons where he missed the year with a torn ACL and a year where he wasn't an impact player on offense, he was never expected to have a massive impact on offense. Where Green will need to make an impact is as a blocker as he is the best of the players in the room.
16. Grant Chadwick - Punter
One of LSU's biggest issues last season was with the special teams as the Tigers punters were inconsistent and holds on special teams were botched several times. LSU went out and added one of the best young punters in Grant Chadwick. This spring, Chadwick and Peyton Todd split reps, so heading into the summer, this is still a position battle.
15. Destyn Hill - Wide Receiver
While Destyn Hill flashed at time during the Spring, it'll be tough for him to make a massive impact in LSU's loaded wide receiver room. Hill could come in at times and give LSU an impactful play but, finding consistent playing time in this offense will be difficult.
14. Michael Van Buren - Quarterback
The LSU Tigers needed to add a quarterback after failing to sign a freshman which led the Tigers to grabbing Michael Van Buren from Mississippi State. LSU fans won't want to see Van Buren aside from in a blowout with how important Garrett Nussmeier is to this team. In Michael Van Buren the Tigers do get a more capable backup quarterback as LSU struggled when Nussmeier missed snaps with injuries.
13. Jimari Butler - Edge Rusher
Jimari Butler was the first edge rusher to jump on board but, as LSU also landed Patrick Payton and Jack Pyburn it brought competition to the room. Butler didn't have a bad spring but, the other edge rushers and Gabe Reliford were just more dominant which bumps Butler down the depth chart. Butler could make a jump this summer but, regardless he'll likely be a key piece of LSU's defensive line rotation.
12. Sydir Mitchell - Defensive Tackle
When Bo Davis brought Sydir Mitchell to LSU, he was a relative unknown as he hadn't played much at Texas. As Bo Davis left for the Saints, there was some fear that Mitchell may enter the transfer portal but, those fears never came to life. This spring, Mitchell outperformed expectations and he'll be in the defensive tackle rotation this season.
11. Ja'Keem Jackson - Cornerback
Corey Raymond went back to Florida to bring Ja'Keem Jackson to LSU, bringing the former top recruit back to his cornerback room. After suffering a season ending injury early on last season, Jackson didn't have the best spring but, he still may be dealing with his injury. Heading into the summer it may truly be a battle between DJ Pickett and Ja'Keem Jackson to start on the outside.
10. Nic Anderson - Wide Receiver
There's a lot of hope that Nic Anderson will regain his form from his outstanding freshman season, as it would give LSU an elite receiver with size on the outside. This spring, Anderson was still dealing with his injury while other receivers impressed, which gives him work to do this summer. If Anderson can flash again this summer, he'll have a great chance to earn the starting role on the outside.
9. Braelin Moore - Center
DJ Chester struggled in his first season at center which led LSU to going out and adding Virginia Tech center Braelin Moore. This spring, Moore didn't come in and take the role which leaves it up for battle heading into the summer. The hope for LSU is that Moore impresses and Chester continues to develop as the team could kick Chester out to guard.
8. Jack Pyburn - Edge Rusher
While Patrick Payton will need to lead LSU as a pass rusher, Jack Pyburn's biggest impact will be against the rushing attack. Pyburn sets a violent edge which will be massive for LSU after struggling to stop teams on explosive run plays. It'll be interesting to see if Kevin Peoples can help Pyburn take the next step as a pass rusher like he did with Bradyn Swinson as it'd make Pyburn a dangerous player.
7. Bernard Gooden - Defensive Tackle
The Tigers' lone addition of the spring thus far is USF defensive tackle Bernard Gooden, which is a massive addition for the Tigers. Gooden was the top ranked defensive tackle to enter the transfer portal giving the Tigers another key piece on the interior. Gooden can help give the Tigers some veteran experience on the inside while the younger defensive tackles continue to develop.
6. Bauer Sharp - Tight End
When LSU added Bauer Sharp from Oklahoma, Tigers fans were excited to add an experienced tight end, but, unsure if adding Sharp would hurt the offense keeping Trey'Dez Green off the field. This spring, Sharp showed that he can be a key playmaker for the offense, building solid chemistry with Garrett Nussmeier. The Tigers will need Sharp and Green to take the next step this summer as blockers, as it can give the offense the ability to run a ton of double-tight looks.
5. Josh Thompson - Guard
LSU is tasked with replacing 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen which made it important to add a talented veteran with experience. Thompson came to spring practice late finishing classes at Northwestern but, once he arrived it was clear why LSU went out and beat Tennessee to land Thompson. This summer the offensive line will start to shake itself out and Thompson may need a strong camp as the freshmen guards have impressed.
4. Tamarcus Cooley - Safety
After the safety position was a black hole the past few seasons, LSU fans were delighted to add a very solid safety in Tamarcus Cooley. The Tigers now have the playmaking safety in Cooley that they've needed for seasons and Cooley comes with some versatility. If LSU is able to add another safety, the Tigers can move Cooley to nickel which would take this defense to another level.
3. Barion Brown - Wide Receiver
Like his tape from Kentucky showed, Barion Brown is a big play threat any time he touches the ball whether its as a returner or a wide receiver. If Chris Hilton Jr stays healthy, opposing defenses are going to have nightmares trying to account for both of their speed while if Hilton suffers an injury LSU finally has a speed threat to replace him. LSU couldn't stretch the field last season when Hilton went down which allowed opposing teams to play closer to the line of scrimmage slowing LSU's rushing attack.
2. Patrick Payton - Edge Rusher
As Sai'Vion Jones and Bradyn Swinson head to the NFL, the LSU Tigers needed to add a proven pass rusher and got one in Patrick Payton. This Spring, Payton looked more like the player he was in 2023 where he had 7 sacks than he did in 2024 with just 4 sacks. Payton will be the Tigers top pass rusher and will need to have another massive season rushing the passer to help the Tigers take the next step on defense.
1. Mansoor Delane - Cornerback
When LSU brought in Mansoor Delane from Virginia Tech it was unclear whether he would play cornerback or safety. After spending most of the Spring at cornerback, it appears that Mansoor Delane will likely start on one side of the defense. The Summer will show us more about where Delane will play but, he's a welcome addition to a secondary that needed high end players with experience.