The LSU Football team has dominates the transfer portal and continues to make headway with several of the Nation's top recruits. One of the two outstanding needs is on the offensive line where LSU is tasked with replacing four out of five starters this offseason. The Tigers have already reeled in Virginia Tech Transfer Braelin Moore but, we may see the Tigers nab one more starter in Northwestern's Josh Thompson.
Thompson was heavily expected to land with Tennessee on Christmas eve however, it sounds like LSU has made a massive push on the NIL Front which may be the deciding factor.
Volquest's (Tennessee Affiliate for On3) Brent Hubbs went on 104.5 The Zone's Ramon, Kayla, and Will show to discuss why Tennessee may not land Thompson saying the following.
"And I think LSU has come in with a really, really high offer, because he's a big priority for them -- just as he was for Tennessee. And then I think the question is what's Tennessee's, you know, what's their counter? Is it going to be close to that? Or does Tennessee feel like they don't want to pay that much for a guard when they're looking at other things out there. I mean, this is true free agency, right? It's one of those deals where do you want to go versus who's offered you the most money?"Brent Hubbs
The best news for LSU is that Hubbs believes we may get official news as soon as Friday which would help LSU in knowing if it needs to continue its push for other offensive linemen.
"I think we'll hear that decision later [on Friday]. And if I were guessing right now, I think it's probably going to be LSU ultimately"Brent Hubbs
It's pretty clear that LSU has made NIL a massive priority, Brian Kelly made it one once LSU lost out on Bryce Underwood to Michigan. Kelly then put his money where his mouth was pledging to match donations up to raising $1 million and got another booster to join in meaning for every $1 donated $3 were being donated to the collective.
This transfer cycle has shown why being bought in on the NIL front is massive as LSU is assembling a star class of players with their new and improved NIL efforts. It is always funny however, that whenever a player picks your school its because of the staff and the school and never the money meanwhile when he goes elsewhere its only because of money.