During the Spring last offseason it was incredibly frustrating to see the LSU Tigers use or lack of usage of the Spring Transfer Window. The Tigers hired its new defensive staff way too late in the offseason and by the time the new staff was brought on the vast majority of the transfers that entered in the first window were committed.
During the Spring Transfer Window, the transfers from the SEC can't transfer within the SEC which limited LSU's options and drove up the prices of Non-SEC transfers. Brian Kelly uttered the phrase "We're not in the market of buying players" and it stuck with everyone while frustrating fans as everyone knew LSU needed defensive linemen and defensive backs.
After landing the biggest transfer class of his LSU tenure, Brian Kelly was asked about what the expectation is during the Spring Transfer portal to which he said the following:
"I think we go into this next portal window with no expectations of we need to get somebody out of the spring portal. It would have to be something that was a right fit for us."Brian Kelly
Based on what Brian Kelly said and the general outlook of the roster, the Tigers may not use the Spring Transfer Portal for several reasons.
Where are the needs?
When you look at LSU's roster there isn't a position that looks like a massive need where LSU needs to go out and add players to the room like it did at this point last season. The two biggest areas of concern for LSU may be on the offensive line after losing four of five starters and at safety after only adding Tamarcus Cooley.
On the offensive line its not likely that LSU adds anyone aside from potential long term players. The Tigers offensive line room is filled with highly recruited players and its unlikely a solid more proven piece enters the transfer portal. If a top tier offensive tackle enters the portal LSU will likely jump on it but, that's a rarity in the Spring Transfer Window.
At Safety, LSU added Tamarcus Cooley, returns starter Jardin Gilbert, had pieces in Javien Toviano and Dashawn Spears that everyone is excited to see develop, and landed several top recruits at the position. Like at offensive tackle, if one of those elite pieces enter the transfer portal LSU will pursue it but, LSU saw last Spring that SEC Caliber defensive backs don't transfer often.
Do you want to lose a younger piece for a potential one year starter?
Tying into the lack of needs and why LSU just won't add any player, every addition in the current era could lead to a departure. None of LSU's needs are glaring enough to the point that there may be a negative affect to adding a player that may only be a one year starter. The Tigers have the pieces to fill every role as long as they continue to develop and while there will likely be slight upgrades in veteran pieces they won't have the upside of LSU's younger players.
Transfer Asking Prices will only go up
The main factor behind some of LSU's hesitance last Spring was the fact that the asking prices from Spring transfers were over the top. As the players saw last Spring schools will overpay for needs they realize in the Spring. Part of that realization is why LSU attacked the fall transfer portal and why LSU will shy away from depending on the Spring Transfer Window. If the schools realize what the market price is at each position, then we'll see more teams treat the Spring Window like a viable option.