LSU Faces Roster Turnover Ahead of Texas Bowl Clash with Houston
As LSU prepares to face Houston in the Texas Bowl on December 27, the Tigers are navigating a flurry of roster changes and opt-outs that have become the norm in today’s college football postseason. With a new head coach waiting in the wings and several key players either injured, heading to the NFL, or entering the transfer portal, LSU’s lineup will look significantly different in Houston.
Lane Kiffin may be the future of LSU football, but he won’t be on the sidelines for this one. Interim head coach Frank Wilson will lead the Tigers for one final time before he departs for Ole Miss. That leaves LSU in a transitional moment-one bowl game to play, a new era looming, and a roster that’s already in flux.
Let’s break down who’s in, who’s out, and who’s still undecided heading into the Texas Bowl.
LSU Opt-Outs and Absences
Mansoor Delane - CB (NFL Draft)
LSU’s lone All-American this season won’t suit up for the Texas Bowl.
Delane, a projected first-round pick, has been battling a core injury for weeks and sat out one game before returning for the regular-season finale against Oklahoma. Given his draft stock and health status, it’s no surprise he’s shutting it down ahead of April.
Garrett Nussmeier - QB (Injury/NFL Draft)
Not technically an opt-out, but Nussmeier is officially out for the bowl game due to an abdominal strain that sidelined him for the final stretch of the season.
The senior quarterback wraps up his LSU career with 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the eighth-best QB prospect in the upcoming draft.
Colin Hurley - QB (Transfer Portal)
Hurley’s departure was expected after Brian Kelly’s firing. The freshman quarterback hadn’t seen the field in two seasons and will look for a fresh start elsewhere.
Kaleb Jackson - RB (Transfer Portal)
Jackson announced his intention to transfer on December 12. The sophomore running back rushed for 331 yards over three seasons, including 49 yards in limited action this year.
Jelani Watkins - WR (Transfer Portal)
Watkins is also on the move. The freshman wideout played in three games this season, recording two catches for 21 yards before entering the portal.
Kylan Billiot - WR (Transfer Portal)
A former four-star recruit, Billiot appeared in just one game during his time in Baton Rouge. He, too, is heading to the portal in search of more playing time.
Ashton Stamps - CB (Transfer Portal)
Stamps was a key contributor in 2024, leading LSU in passes defended.
But after losing his starting job to P.J. Woodland this year, he played in just three games and will now look for a new opportunity.
Wallace Foster - CB (Transfer Portal)
Foster wraps up his LSU career with three appearances and one tackle over two seasons. He announced his transfer decision on December 8.
LSU Players to Watch for Potential Opt-Outs
With the NFL Draft looming and several Tigers projected to be selected, there are a few names to keep an eye on in the days leading up to the bowl.
Harold Perkins Jr. - LB
Perkins has accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Bowl, a strong indicator that he’s leaning toward the draft. While he hasn’t officially opted out of the Texas Bowl, his draft stock (currently projected as a third-rounder) and future plans make his status worth monitoring.
Jack Pyburn - DE
Pyburn’s name came up early in bowl prep as a player LSU wanted to keep in the fold. No official decision has been made, but as of now, he’s expected to play against Houston.
Aaron Anderson - WR
Injuries have hampered Anderson throughout 2025, but he’s still managed to put together a career with over 1,300 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
He’s also accepted an East-West Shrine Bowl invite, though he still has a year of eligibility remaining. No word yet on his Texas Bowl status.
Chris Hilton Jr. - WR
Hilton is another Shrine Bowl invitee who hasn’t made a call on the bowl game.
The 6-foot, 190-pound receiver has 713 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his LSU career. Unless he announces otherwise, he’s expected to play.
A.J. Haulcy - S
Haulcy is out of eligibility and is heading to the NFL. He’s been listed among the top 60 draft-eligible prospects, and while he hasn’t declared an opt-out, all signs point to him suiting up one last time in the Texas Bowl.
Houston’s Notable Opt-Out
Demetrius Hunter - C
Houston’s offensive line will be without one of its anchors.
Junior center Demetrius Hunter, who made the Rimington Trophy watch list this season, has left the team. His absence is a big one for a Cougars offense that leaned on his experience and consistency in the trenches.
Final Thoughts
This year’s Texas Bowl is more than just a postseason matchup-it’s a snapshot of the modern college football landscape. Between coaching changes, NFL decisions, and the ever-spinning transfer portal, rosters are fluid and bowl games often serve as a final curtain call for players and programs in transition.
LSU enters this game with a patchwork roster and an interim coach, while Houston will look to capitalize on the Tigers’ uncertainty. But even with all the moving parts, one thing remains: the Texas Bowl is still a chance for younger players to step up, for veterans to leave their mark, and for both programs to set the tone heading into 2026.