LSU Reloads Through the Portal: 36 Transfers Signal a Bold New Era in Baton Rouge
The LSU Tigers aren’t just dipping into the transfer portal-they’re diving in headfirst. After a season that fell well short of expectations and a wave of departures that left the roster looking thin, LSU has responded with an aggressive overhaul.
The Tigers have brought in a staggering 36 transfers, doubling their previous high of 18 from just last year. That’s not just a rebuild-it’s a full-blown transformation.
And it’s not subtle, either. The bulk of the changes are on the offensive side of the ball, signaling a clear intent: LSU is retooling its attack from the ground up. With the defensive staff largely intact, the focus has been squarely on injecting talent and depth into an offense that struggled to find consistency last season.
Let’s break down the new-look Tigers by position.
Quarterback Room Gets a Shake-Up
LSU didn’t just add one quarterback-they brought in three. That’s a clear sign there’s a wide-open competition brewing.
- Sam Leavitt (6'2, 195) arrives from Arizona State, bringing Power Five experience and a dual-threat skill set that could thrive in a reimagined offense.
- Husan Longstreet (6'1, 195) transfers from USC, a talented prospect with a high ceiling and the kind of arm talent that can stretch defenses.
- Landen Clark (6'0, 186) comes in from Elon, a smaller program but one where he showed flashes of playmaking ability.
This trio gives LSU a range of styles and options, and it’s clear the staff is looking for the right fit-not just a body.
Wide Receiver Corps Gets a Major Facelift
Nine new receivers? That’s not just depth-that’s a complete overhaul. LSU is clearly looking to add explosiveness, size, and versatility across the board.
- Jackson Harris (6'3, 205, Hawaii) and Malik Elzy (6'2, 225, Illinois) bring size and physicality, ideal for red-zone mismatches.
- **Winston Watkins Jr.
** (5'11, 185, Ole Miss) and Eugene 'Tre' Wilson (5'10, 194, Florida) offer speed and shiftiness-slot weapons who can turn short gains into big plays.
- Jayce Brown (6'0, 179, Kansas State) and Tre Brown (6'2, 180, Old Dominion) add depth and route-running polish.
- Josh Jackson (6'2, 185, McNeese State), Tyree Holloway (6'0, 180, West Florida), and Roman Mothershed (6'4, 173, Troy) round out a group that’s as diverse as it is deep.
This new-look receiver room gives LSU a wide range of weapons to work with-something they sorely lacked last year.
Backfield Additions Bring Burst and Balance
Three new running backs join the fold, each with a different style.
- Raycine Guillory (5'9, 190, Utah) is a compact, downhill runner who brings physicality.
- **Rod Gainey Jr.
** (6'0, 175, Charlotte) is a speedster with home-run potential.
- Dilin Jones (6'0, 190, Wisconsin) adds balance and vision, a steady presence who can handle a heavy workload.
Expect a committee approach early as the staff figures out who fits best in the revamped offense.
Tight Ends and Trenches: Building the Foundation
Two tight ends and a wave of offensive linemen are also part of the rebuild.
- Malachi Thomas (6'4, 240, Pitt) and Zach Grace (6'3, 238, Oregon) are both capable blockers with upside as pass-catchers. In a system that may lean on play-action and versatility, they could be key chess pieces.
Up front, LSU added one offensive tackle-Darrrin Strey (6'7, 322, Kentucky)-who brings size and SEC experience. But it’s the six interior offensive linemen who really stand out:
- Ja'Quan Sprinkle (6'4, 325, North Carolina Central)
- William Satterwhite (6'3, 305, Tennessee)
- Aliou Bah (6'6, 327, Maryland)
- Devin Harper (6'4, 315, Ole Miss)
- Sean Thompkins (6'6, 310, Baylor)
- Ja'Mard Jones (6'4, 295, Nicholls)
That’s a serious infusion of size and strength. LSU is clearly prioritizing physicality in the trenches-something they’ll need if they want to return to form in the SEC.
Defensive Additions: Targeted but Impactful
While the defense didn’t see the same volume of turnover, LSU still made key moves.
- EDGE rushers like Jordan Ross (6'5, 245, Tennessee), Jaylen Brown (6'5, 265, South Carolina), and Achilles Woods (6'4, 236, South Alabama) bring length and pass-rushing ability. That trio gives LSU options off the edge, especially in third-down packages.
- On the interior, Malik Blocton (6'3, 291, Auburn) and Stephiylan Green (6'4, 290, Clemson) add rotational depth and upside.
- Linebacker TJ Dottery (6'2, 230, Ole Miss) gives LSU a versatile defender who can play in space or come downhill.
- At safety, LSU added three players: Ty Benefield (6'2, 205, Boise State), Mason Dossett (6'1, 194, Baylor), and Faheem Delane (6'1, 210, Ohio State). That’s a group with size, range, and experience-important in a league where defensive backs are constantly tested.
Notably, no cornerbacks were added, suggesting the staff is confident in the current group or may still be active in the portal.
Special Teams: New Faces Across the Board
It’s not just the offense and defense getting attention-LSU also hit the reset button on special teams.
- Punter Hayden Craig (6'1, 208, Florida)
- Long snapper Mack Mulhern (6'0, 225, Florida)
- Kicker Scott Starzyk (5'9, 172, Arkansas)
All three specialists come from SEC programs, and that experience could be crucial in close games.
Final Thoughts
Thirty-six transfers. That’s a number that jumps off the page-and it should.
LSU is making a statement: they’re not content to wait around for a rebuild. They’re attacking the portal with urgency, purpose, and a clear vision for what they want to be.
This isn’t just about replacing bodies-it’s about reshaping the identity of the program. And with so many new faces, especially on offense, LSU fans can expect a team that looks, feels, and plays very differently in 2026.
Now comes the hard part: turning all that talent into chemistry, cohesion, and wins. But one thing’s for sure-LSU won’t be short on options.