LSU Football Eyes Transfer Portal Reload Under Lane Kiffin
BATON ROUGE - The College Football Playoff may be grabbing headlines, but for LSU fans, January 2 marks the beginning of something just as pivotal - the start of Lane Kiffin’s first transfer portal cycle as the Tigers’ head coach.
Known for his aggressive and savvy use of the portal during his time at Ole Miss, Kiffin earned a reputation as the "portal king" - and now he brings that same energy to Baton Rouge. With the NCAA’s new rule streamlining the transfer process into a single window, this two-week stretch from Jan. 2 to Jan. 16 will be a crucial period for LSU to reshape its roster.
What’s New in the Portal World?
Earlier this year, the NCAA made a significant change: there’s now just one transfer window for college football players. That window opens Jan. 2 and runs through Jan.
- Players can announce their intentions beforehand, but they can’t officially enter the portal until it opens.
Once they’re in, other programs are free to recruit them.
There’s no cap on how many players a team can bring in from the portal, which means LSU has the green light to be as aggressive as it wants - and with the current state of the roster, they’ll need to be.
LSU’s Portal Game Plan: Reload, Not Rebuild
Kiffin walks into a situation that demands immediate roster reinforcement. The Tigers are facing significant turnover on both sides of the ball, and the portal offers a fast-track solution.
Quarterback: It starts under center. With uncertainty at the quarterback position, LSU is expected to be in the market for a signal-caller who can step in and lead right away. Kiffin’s track record with quarterbacks - and his offensive mind - will be a major draw for any top-tier transfer looking for a new home.
Offensive Line: The trenches are thin. Three offensive linemen have already announced plans to transfer, and the unit was already short on experience and depth. Expect LSU to target multiple linemen who can bring stability and toughness to the front five.
Wide Receiver: The Tigers are also losing their top pass-catching threats to graduation. Kiffin will want to add explosive playmakers who can stretch the field and fit into his high-tempo, pass-heavy system.
Defense: On the other side of the ball, the front seven is in flux. The defensive line and linebacker corps are both losing key seniors, and those are positions where experience and physicality are critical. Look for LSU to prioritize plug-and-play defenders who can contribute immediately.
A Quick Refresher: How the Transfer Portal Works
Once a player enters the portal, they’re officially available to be recruited by other programs. While many players announce their intentions early, they can’t be contacted by other schools until they’re officially in the database starting Jan.
- The portal remains open for two weeks, closing on Jan.
- However, players already in the portal by that date can still commit to a new school afterward - they just can’t initiate the process after the window closes.
LSU’s Track Record in the Portal
LSU isn’t new to making waves in the portal. The program’s biggest portal win came in the form of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who transferred from Arizona State and went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2023 after two standout seasons in Baton Rouge.
More recently, cornerback Mansoor Delane transferred from Virginia Tech and emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the country. He finished the 2025 season as a unanimous All-American and is projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Other notable additions in recent years include wide receivers Aaron Anderson and Barion Brown, along with safeties A.J. Haulcy and Major Burns - all of whom played key roles for LSU.
What to Expect Next
With Kiffin now steering the ship, LSU is poised to be one of the most active programs in the portal. His ability to identify talent, sell his offensive vision, and plug holes quickly has already been proven. And with the Tigers facing turnover at nearly every level of the depth chart, there’s no doubt the portal will be a central piece of this offseason’s rebuild.
January 2 isn’t just a date on the calendar - it’s the unofficial start of the Lane Kiffin era at LSU. And if history is any indication, expect fireworks.