LSU just added another piece to its rapidly growing 2026 puzzle - and this one keeps it in the family.
On Tuesday evening, the Tigers secured a commitment from North Dakota freshman linebacker Theo Grace, marking their 39th addition through the transfer portal this cycle. That leaves LSU just one shy of the 40-mark in what’s already shaping up to be one of the most aggressive portal hauls in the country.
Grace, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker, saw limited action during his freshman season with the Fighting Hawks, logging a tackle and a half tackle-for-loss in a single appearance against Valparaiso. While his on-field résumé is still developing, LSU clearly sees potential - and perhaps even more importantly, continuity.
Theo is the younger brother of Zach Grace, a redshirt sophomore tight end who transferred to LSU from Oregon just days earlier, on January 15. With both brothers now in Baton Rouge, LSU’s 2026 roster will feature three sets of siblings: Whit and Zach Weeks, Bo and Brett Bordelon, and now Zach and Theo Grace. That kind of familial chemistry doesn’t show up on a stat sheet, but it can pay dividends in locker room culture and communication on the field.
From a depth chart standpoint, Theo joins a linebacker room that’s already brimming with talent. Whit Weeks, a junior, has been a steady presence, while TJ Dottery, a redshirt junior transfer from Ole Miss, brings SEC experience and physicality. Add in Davhon Keys, a sophomore with upside, and Tylen Singleton, a redshirt freshman with a high ceiling, and it’s clear Grace is entering a competitive, but opportunity-rich environment.
This commitment pushes LSU’s transfer portal class to 39 players - a staggering number that reflects both the modern era of college football and LSU’s aggressive approach to roster building under the current system. According to 247Sports, LSU holds the No. 1 transfer class in the nation, while On3 ranks them sixth, using a proprietary index that evaluates how much a team has improved its overall talent through portal additions.
Here’s a snapshot of LSU’s 2026 transfer class - and it’s a who’s who of talent from across the country:
- Sam Leavitt, QB (Arizona State)
- Ty Benefield, S (Boise State)
- Devin Harper, OL (Ole Miss)
- Husan Longstreet, QB (USC)
- Jordan Ross, EDGE (Tennessee)
- TJ Dottery, LB (Ole Miss)
- Faheem Delane, S (Ohio State)
- Stephiylan Green, DL (Clemson)
- Tre Wilson III, WR (Florida)
- Malik Blocton, DL (Auburn)
- William Satterwhite, OL (Tennessee)
- Sean Thompkins, OT (Baylor)
- Jayce Brown, WR (Kansas State)
- Winston Watkins, WR (Ole Miss)
- Tre Brown III, WR (Old Dominion)
- Darrin Strey, OT (Kentucky)
- Malachi Thomas, TE (Pittsburgh)
- Jackson Harris, WR (Hawaii)
- Ja’Quan Sprinkle, OL (North Carolina Central)
- Landen Clark, QB (Elon)
- Aliou Bah, OL (Maryland)
- Jaylen Brown, EDGE (South Carolina)
- Raycine Guillory, RB (Utah)
- **Rod Gainey Jr.
**, RB (Charlotte)
- Achilles Woods, DL (South Alabama)
- Malik Elzy, WR (Illinois)
- Tyree Holloway, WR (West Florida)
- Josh Jackson, WR (McNeese)
- Roman Mothershed, WR (Troy)
- Theo Grace, LB (North Dakota)
- Stacy Gage, RB (UCF)
- Mason Dossett, WR/DB (Baylor)
- Ja’Mard Jones, OL (Nicholls State)
- Zach Grace, TE (Oregon)
- Dilin Jones, RB (Wisconsin)
- Treylan James, S (Southern)
- Hayden Craig, P (Florida)
- Mack Mulhern, LS (Florida)
- Scott Starzyk, K (Arkansas)
Notably, LSU isn’t just stacking bodies - they’re targeting specific positional needs and bringing in a mix of proven Power Five talent and high-upside players from smaller programs. The Tigers have fortified both lines, added multiple quarterbacks, and loaded up on wide receivers and defensive backs - all while building depth across the board.
With one spot potentially left to fill, LSU is showing no signs of slowing down. Whether Theo Grace becomes an immediate contributor or a long-term project, his addition continues a clear trend: LSU is building not just a roster, but a deep, versatile, and competitive team ready to contend in the ever-evolving landscape of college football.