As LSU gears up for another pivotal offseason, Lane Kiffin and his staff are already deep into their transfer portal strategy, with eyes firmly set on the January 2 opening. But unlike some position groups that may need a full rebuild, the Tigers' secondary is in a rare and enviable spot: it's built to reload, not restart.
That’s a testament to the foundation already in place - one that’s showing signs of natural succession, the kind you look for in a well-run program. When a standout like Mansoor Delane, one of the best cornerbacks LSU has developed in recent years, moves on to the NFL, the expectation isn’t panic or scrambling.
It’s the next man up. And in Baton Rouge, that baton is already being passed.
The same story is playing out at safety. A.J.
Haulcy, a high-impact transfer who brought stability and playmaking ability to the backend, is also headed to the pros. But like Delane, he leaves the position room in better shape than he found it - a sign of both smart recruiting and strong development.
Even with those two stars departing, LSU’s secondary remains arguably the most solid unit on the roster. And it starts at cornerback, where DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland are back to lead the charge.
These two aren’t just returning starters - they’re foundational pieces. Pickett, in particular, has quickly emerged as one of the SEC’s premier young corners.
The accolades are already rolling in for Pickett, who was recently named to the 247Sports All-Freshman team. At 6-foot-5, he’s a rare blend of length, athleticism, and instinct.
Scouts were intrigued by his upside coming out of high school, but any questions about how quickly he’d adjust to the college game were answered emphatically. Pickett didn’t just hold his own - he dominated.
Among SEC corners who were targeted more than 30 times this season, Pickett allowed the fewest yards: just 15 receptions for 188. That’s not just good - that’s elite.
He also added a pair of interceptions and broke up multiple passes, often being tested as teams avoided Delane’s side of the field. Woodland, too, saw plenty of action and responded with a strong season of his own.
Heading into 2026, Pickett and Woodland are the clear favorites to lock down the starting spots once again. But they won’t be alone.
The Tigers just added four-star signee Havon Finney and three-star Dez Ellis to the incoming class. Add to that a veteran like Ja’Keem Jackson, now entering his fourth year, and developing talents like Aidan Anding and Michael Turner - and LSU has a deep, layered cornerback room.
Of course, the transfer portal always introduces some uncertainty. Not all of those names may stick around, and the staff will need to be ready to supplement the room if necessary. But the core is there.
At safety, the picture is just as promising. With Haulcy moving on, Dashawn Spears is expected to take on a much larger role.
Tamarcus Cooley could also return, assuming he stays out of the portal, and that would give LSU another experienced presence on the back end. Behind them, there’s a wave of young talent ready to step in - Joel Rogers, Jacob Bradford, and Jhase Thomas are all names to watch.
And the future pipeline looks strong, too. Four-star Aidan Hall and three-star Isaiah Washington are part of the 2026 signing class, bringing more depth and versatility to the safety room.
What makes this all even more sustainable is the coaching continuity. Keeping secondary coaches Corey Raymond and Jake Olsen in place for 2026 could be a huge factor in maintaining this depth and development. With those two guiding the room, LSU might not need to go hunting for more than one or two portal additions - a far cry from the heavy portal reliance of the past two offseasons.
In short, this is what roster building looks like when it’s done right. LSU’s secondary isn’t just surviving turnover - it’s thriving through it.
Even with two future NFL players moving on, the Tigers look poised to field one of the SEC’s most complete defensive backfields once again in 2026. That’s not just good news - that’s the kind of stability that wins games in the SEC.