The winds of change are blowing strong in Baton Rouge, and Lane Kiffin isn’t easing into his new role-he’s flipping the roster like a coach with a clear vision and zero hesitation. Since taking over at LSU, Kiffin has overseen one of the most dramatic transfer portal shakeups in recent memory, bringing in 40 new players while watching nearly as many walk out the door. It’s not just a rebuild-it’s a full-scale reimagining of what LSU football is going to look like under his leadership.
The most headline-grabbing move? Kiffin landing elite edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen from Ole Miss.
That’s not just a big pickup-it’s a statement. Umanmielen is a game-wrecker, and Kiffin bringing him over from his old stomping grounds signals that he’s not just looking for bodies-he’s targeting impact players who can shape the identity of this new-look Tigers defense.
But to build something new, you often have to let go of the old. And LSU’s outgoing transfer list is long and telling.
A total of 37 players from Brian Kelly’s 2025 squad-which finished a disappointing 7-6-entered the portal. That kind of turnover isn’t just a coincidence; it’s a reflection of a program turning the page.
Here’s a breakdown of where 35 of those former Tigers have landed, with two still in portal limbo:
- Joel Rogers, a redshirt freshman safety, is heading to UTSA.
- Nic Anderson, a redshirt junior wideout, joins Kentucky.
- Jacob Bradford, a freshman safety, moves to West Virginia.
- Tyler Miller, a freshman offensive tackle, will suit up for Mississippi State.
- Walter Mathis Jr., a freshman defensive tackle, also lands at Auburn.
- Jardin Gilbert, a fifth-year senior safety, joins Mississippi State.
- CJ Jackson, a freshman edge rusher, is off to Vanderbilt.
- TaRon Francis, a freshman wide receiver, also heads to West Virginia.
- Sydir Mitchell, a redshirt sophomore defensive tackle, is transferring to Wake Forest.
- Ethan Calloway, a redshirt freshman offensive tackle, joins him at Wake Forest.
- Aeron Burrell, a sophomore kicker, lands at North Carolina.
- Zion Williams, a freshman defensive tackle, heads to Texas.
- Michael Van Buren, a sophomore quarterback, is transferring to South Florida.
- JT Lindsey, a freshman running back, will reunite with Kiffin at Ole Miss.
- Wallace Foster IV, a redshirt freshman cornerback, is off to Florida Atlantic.
- Destyn Hill, a redshirt sophomore wideout, lands at Tulane.
- Khayree Lee Jr., a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, goes to South Alabama.
- Donovan Green, a redshirt junior tight end, joins Oklahoma State.
- Kyle Parker, a redshirt sophomore receiver, heads to Ohio State.
- Isaiah Stone, a redshirt sophomore wideout, lands at Georgia State.
- Princeton Malbrue, a redshirt junior linebacker, stays in-state with Louisiana.
- Ory Williams, a redshirt freshman offensive tackle, joins Tennessee.
- Paul Mubenga, a redshirt sophomore guard, heads to Nebraska.
- Austin Ausberry, a redshirt junior safety, lands at Baylor.
- Tyree Adams, a redshirt sophomore tackle, will play for Texas A&M.
- DJ Chester, a redshirt sophomore center, also lands at Mississippi State.
- Coen Echols, a redshirt freshman guard, joins Texas A&M.
- Carius Curne, a freshman tackle, reunites with Kiffin at Ole Miss.
- Colin Hurley, a redshirt freshman quarterback, is heading to Michigan.
- Kaleb Jackson, a junior running back, lands at North Carolina.
- Ju’Juan Johnson, a sophomore back, is off to Syracuse.
- Ahmad Breaux, a sophomore defensive tackle, joins Kentucky.
- Jelani Watkins, a redshirt freshman receiver, is heading to Arkansas.
- Ashton Stamps, a junior cornerback, lands at Arizona State.
- Kylan Billiot, a redshirt freshman wideout, joins James Madison.
Still in the portal are Javien Toviano, a junior safety, and Tre People, a freshman quarterback. Where they land could be worth watching, especially for teams looking to add experience in the secondary or a developmental QB with upside.
This kind of roster churn isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s exactly the kind of bold move that defines a new era. Kiffin clearly isn’t interested in slow builds or half-measures. He’s reshaping LSU in his image-and fast.
Whether this aggressive approach pays off in the win column remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: LSU football is going to look a whole lot different in 2026. And with Kiffin at the helm, you can bet it won’t be boring.