If the 2025 college football season reminded us of anything, it's that the sport is as unpredictable-and thrilling-as ever. Indiana’s stunning run to its first-ever national title was the kind of storyline that only the new era of college football could produce. With NIL deals and the transfer portal reshaping rosters faster than ever, the traditional power structure has been shaken up, and the door is wide open for programs ready to adapt.
One team stepping boldly through that door? LSU.
The Tigers are turning the page to a new chapter under Lane Kiffin, and the early signs point to a program on the rise. Kiffin’s arrival in Baton Rouge has already made waves, and LSU is getting national recognition to match. In one set of way-too-early Top 25 rankings for the 2026 season, LSU lands at No. 7-right in the thick of the national conversation.
Here’s how the rest of that top 10 shakes out: Texas sits at No. 1, followed by Oregon, Ohio State, Notre Dame, reigning champ Indiana, and Georgia. After LSU at No. 7, it’s Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Michigan rounding out the list. That’s elite company-and LSU looks like it belongs.
The end of the Brian Kelly era left a sour taste in Tiger fans’ mouths, but Kiffin is wasting no time in generating optimism. His first recruiting cycle in Baton Rouge has already delivered fireworks. LSU signed 14 players during the Early Signing Period, including two five-star headliners in Lamar Brown and Richard Anderson-instant impact talent that shows Kiffin’s recruiting chops are very much intact.
But where Kiffin has really flexed his muscle is in the transfer portal. Long known as the “Portal King,” Kiffin has lived up to the nickname and then some, bringing in a staggering 39 players through the portal so far. That haul has LSU’s transfer class ranked No. 1 in the nation by 247Sports, and it’s not hard to see why.
Leading the group is quarterback Sam Leavitt, a dynamic dual-threat who brings both athleticism and experience to the Tigers' offense. He’s the kind of quarterback Kiffin loves to build around-mobile, confident, and capable of extending plays when things break down. He’ll be surrounded by new weapons like wide receiver Jayce Brown, defensive end Jordan Ross, linebacker TJ Dottery, safety Ty Benefield, and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen-all of whom are expected to be key contributors right away.
And it’s not just about new faces. Kiffin has managed to keep some crucial pieces from last year’s team in place.
Tight end Trey'Dez Green, along with running backs Caden Durham and Harlem Berry, are all back, giving Leavitt a solid core of playmakers to work with. On defense, coordinator Blake Baker retains a strong nucleus, including linebacker Whit Weeks, corners DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland, and safeties Tamarcus Cooley and Dashawn Spears.
It’s been a while since LSU was in the College Football Playoff-2019, to be exact-but this version of the Tigers looks ready to make some noise. The talent is there.
The coaching staff is energized. And the schedule?
It starts with a bang. LSU opens the 2026 season at home against Clemson on Saturday, September 5-a heavyweight showdown that will give us an early look at just how ready this team is to contend.
There’s still a long road ahead, but make no mistake: LSU is back in the national spotlight. And under Lane Kiffin, the Tigers aren’t just looking to compete-they’re aiming to win it all.