Lane Kiffin didn’t just dip into the transfer portal-he dove in headfirst and came up with a completely retooled LSU roster. Forty-two new faces, headlined by former Colorado tackle Jordan Seaton, now call Baton Rouge home.
That number isn’t just impressive-it’s historic. For comparison, Brian Kelly’s best transfer class at LSU brought in 18 players.
Kiffin more than doubled that in his first month on the job.
Let’s start up front, where LSU’s offensive line was a major issue last season. That unit has now been completely overhauled, and the projected starting five looks nothing like what fans saw in 2025.
Jordan Seaton, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound anchor who started 22 games at left tackle for Colorado, is expected to protect the blind side. Next to him, Devin Harper slides inside to left guard after previously playing tackle.
Braelin Moore returns at center, bringing some continuity to the middle. At right guard, Aliou Bah is penciled in as the starter, and Weston Davis rounds out the group at right tackle.
That’s five new roles, five new assignments, and a whole lot more depth behind them. Ja’Kolby Jones, Ja’Quan Sprinkle, Will Satterwhite, Darrin Strey, Sean Thompkins, and Ja’Mard Jones are all in the mix, and with double-digit additions on the line alone, spring camp is going to be a full-on battle for playing time. The message is clear: no job is safe, and competition is the new standard.
According to 247Sports, LSU holds the No. 1 transfer class in the country when measuring incoming talent alone. On3, which factors in both additions and departures, ranks them fourth.
Either way, the takeaway is the same-Kiffin didn’t just patch holes; he rebuilt the ship. And fast.
But it’s not just the trenches that got a facelift. The Tigers landed Sam Leavitt, the top-ranked transfer quarterback in the country, fresh off a playoff run with Arizona State in 2024.
That’s a game-changer under center. On the defensive edge, LSU added two high-impact players in Princewill Umanmielen-who notched nine sacks last season at Ole Miss-and five-star transfer Jordan Ross from Tennessee.
They’ll be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks coming off the edge.
At linebacker, TJ Dottery brings even more bite to a unit that already includes Whit Weeks and Davhon Keys. Dottery led the SEC in stops last season and steps into a room that’s suddenly deep and dangerous.
The Tigers didn’t forget about the skill positions either. Jayce Brown (Kansas State), Eugene Wilson III (Florida), and Winston Watkins (Ole Miss) headline a wide receiver group that now features 10 new additions.
That’s not just depth-it’s firepower. Watkins, in particular, follows Kiffin from Oxford, bringing familiarity with the system and a big-play threat on the outside.
In the backfield, Dilin Jones joins after a promising stint at Wisconsin was derailed by injury. If healthy, he could be a key contributor. In the secondary, Ty Benefield arrives from Boise State with the versatility to play the star position, giving LSU flexibility and speed on the back end.
Before the portal frenzy, LSU was sitting at No. 7 in early preseason polls. Now?
They’re firmly in the championship conversation. On paper, this is a roster built to compete with anyone in the country.
Of course, games aren’t won in January-but if Kiffin’s first month is any indication, LSU isn’t just aiming to be competitive. They’re aiming to dominate.