LSU Faces Roster Shake-Up as 16 Players Eye Transfer Portal Ahead of January Window
The NCAA Transfer Portal doesn’t officially reopen until January 2, but LSU’s football program is already feeling the tremors. Sixteen players have either declared their intention to enter the portal or are strongly expected to do so, signaling a significant roster shift as new head coach Lane Kiffin begins his tenure in Baton Rouge.
Among the most recent names to surface are redshirt sophomore offensive guard Paul Mubenga, who started six games this season, and junior reserve safety Austin Ausberry, the son of LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry. Mubenga, a product of Buford High School in Georgia, logged his 10th appearance of the season during LSU’s 38-35 loss to Houston in the Texas Bowl. Ausberry, meanwhile, saw limited action in 2025, appearing in just four games after playing in 12 primarily on special teams the previous year.
Kiffin Steps In, Portal Chaos Begins
Kiffin, fresh off a wildly successful run at Ole Miss, is no stranger to the transfer portal. His ability to reload rosters through the portal became a calling card during his time in Oxford.
From 2022 to 2025, Kiffin’s portal classes ranked second, second, first, and fourth nationally, respectively. That pipeline helped fuel a 55-19 overall record and a dominant 32-6 mark over his final three seasons with the Rebels.
But even the self-proclaimed “Portal King” sees flaws in the system.
“There are some good parts of it as a first-year coach when you come in and need to add pieces,” Kiffin said during an in-game interview at the Texas Bowl. “But in general, it’s gotten out of control.
It’s not good for college football. Something’s got to be fixed.”
Kiffin pointed out that players are already maneuvering for leverage before the window officially opens. “Our coaches today were saying, ‘All these guys are in,’ and I’m like, ‘It’s not even open.
They’re not in. They’re just leveraging this.’”
The New Normal: Leverage, Agents, and Uncertainty
Kiffin’s comments reflect a growing reality in college football: players are increasingly using the portal not just to transfer, but to test the market. And with agents now in the mix, the stakes are higher than ever.
“I don’t blame players,” Kiffin said. “They all have agents now, and the agents want to make them the most money.
Even if you want to stay, you’re still seeing guys go in. That’s kind of a newer thing.”
It’s a dynamic that’s forcing programs-and their fanbases-to get comfortable with discomfort.
“I tell fans and our own coaches, ‘You’re going to have to get used to being uncomfortable,’” Kiffin added. “These guys are going to go in or say they’re going in, and they still may re-sign.”
LSU’s Offensive Line Exodus
Mubenga’s decision adds to a growing list of LSU offensive linemen heading for the portal. He’s the fifth starter from this season’s unit to announce his intention to transfer in the past week. The others include:
- Tyree Adams, redshirt sophomore tackle
- Carius Curne, true freshman guard
- Coen Echols, redshirt freshman guard
- DJ Chester, sophomore center/guard
Adams and Echols both started alongside Mubenga in the Texas Bowl. Curne saw playing time, while Chester did not dress.
Kiffin acknowledged the upside of the portal in this context, especially for players seeking new opportunities or fresh coaching voices.
“It is one of the good things about the portal-different chances that players have to go to different places, get new coaching, and a fresh start,” he said during the ESPN broadcast.
Expect LSU to be aggressive in replacing those departures, especially up front. Offensive line depth is already a concern, and Kiffin has made it clear that the trenches will be a priority in this portal cycle.
The Ausberry Situation
Austin Ausberry’s future remains uncertain. If he does officially enter the portal, it would mark the second transfer of his college career. He originally signed with Auburn in 2022 before transferring to LSU, where he appeared in four games this season and four the year prior, recording just one career tackle.
His younger brother, Jaiden Ausberry, is currently a redshirt sophomore starting linebacker at Notre Dame.
What’s Next for LSU?
The Tigers finished the season 7-6 after the Texas Bowl loss, closing out a turbulent campaign under interim coach Frank Wilson, who went 2-3 after stepping in late in the year. Wilson has since joined Kiffin’s former staff at Ole Miss as running backs coach.
With Kiffin now officially at the helm and the portal window opening in just days, LSU is entering a pivotal stretch. The roster overhaul is underway, and while some of the 16 players currently eyeing the portal could ultimately return, the message is clear: change is coming fast.
And for Kiffin, who’s built a reputation on thriving in this chaos, the challenge is familiar-but now, it’s on a bigger stage.