LSU’s running back room just got a little deeper-and a whole lot more intriguing.
On Saturday evening, UCF freshman Stacy Gage made a surprise visit to Baton Rouge and didn’t waste time making a decision. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound back committed to the Tigers on the spot, giving Lane Kiffin one more piece in what’s shaping up to be an impressively stocked offensive backfield.
Gage announced the move with a simple but enthusiastic message: “Committed!! Thank you for the opportunity @Lane_Kiffin @LSUfootball @KevinSmithRB let’s Geaux!!”
While Gage enters the portal unranked by 247Sports, he brings with him a solid foundation and the kind of pedigree that suggests there’s more to unlock. He logged 13 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown over seven games this past season with UCF.
Modest numbers, sure-but context matters. As a true freshman in a crowded backfield, Gage didn’t get many opportunities to showcase his full potential.
Coming out of powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida, Gage was a four-star recruit and rated the No. 30 running back nationally in the 2025 class by 247Sports. That’s not just a footnote-it’s a reminder of the upside that made him a coveted prospect just a year ago.
Now he joins a running back room at LSU that’s already brimming with talent. The Tigers have assembled a dynamic mix of styles and skill sets with Harlem Berry, Caden Durham, Dilin Jones, Raycine Guillory, and Rod Gainey Jr. Gage adds another layer to that depth chart-a physical runner with a low center of gravity and a high school résumé that speaks volumes.
This commitment also marks the 38th addition to LSU’s 2026 transfer portal class, a group that’s been turning heads all offseason. According to 247Sports, LSU currently holds the No. 1-ranked portal class in the country. On3 slots them at No. 9, but regardless of the outlet, the message is clear: LSU is reloading, not rebuilding.
The list of portal pickups is impressive and wide-ranging. Headlining the class is quarterback Sam Leavitt from Arizona State, a signal-caller with the tools to push for immediate playing time. The Tigers have also brought in high-level talent across the board-safeties Ty Benefield and Faheem Delane, edge rusher Jordan Ross, and wide receiver Eugene “Tre” Wilson III, just to name a few.
In the trenches, LSU has added multiple offensive linemen like Devin Harper, William Satterwhite, and Sean Thompkins, bolstering a unit that will be key to unlocking the full potential of this offense. And on the perimeter, the Tigers have made it a point to stockpile weapons, bringing in receivers from Florida, Kansas State, Old Dominion, and beyond.
The additions aren’t just about numbers-they’re about fit, depth, and competition. Lane Kiffin and his staff are building a roster that can compete immediately while still developing young talent for the long haul. Gage may not have lit up the stat sheet in his freshman year, but in Baton Rouge, he’ll get a fresh start-and a chance to carve out a role in one of the most competitive backfields in the SEC.
With spring ball on the horizon, all eyes will be on how these new pieces gel. But one thing’s for sure: LSU isn’t waiting around. They’re going all-in on the portal, and with 38 additions already locked in, the Tigers are making it clear-they plan to be a force in 2026.