LSU’s wide receiver room is getting a full makeover heading into 2026-and make no mistake, it’s not just a facelift. It’s a complete rebuild from the studs up.
After losing a wave of talent to the NFL Draft and the transfer portal, the Tigers were suddenly staring at a depth chart with almost no returning production. But Lane Kiffin wasted no time addressing the need, and what he’s assembled through the portal is nothing short of impressive.
A Clean Slate in Baton Rouge
Let’s start with the exits. Aaron Anderson, Barion Brown, Zavion Thomas, and Chris Hilton are all off to chase NFL dreams, while Nic Anderson, Kyle Parker, and Destyn Hill have entered the portal and will suit up elsewhere in 2026. That’s a full rotation of playmakers gone, and it left LSU’s receiver room nearly empty when the portal opened on January 2.
But here’s where things get interesting.
Enter Jayce Brown: WR1 in Waiting
Kiffin’s first big swing in the portal landed him Kansas State standout Jayce Brown, and it’s hard to overstate how important that pickup is. Brown isn’t just a stopgap-he’s a proven weapon.
The Fort Walton Beach native led Kansas State in receiving in each of the last two seasons and comes to Baton Rouge with 115 career catches, nearly 2,000 yards, and 13 touchdowns. His 2025 campaign alone saw him post 41 catches for 712 yards and five scores.
Now, plug that kind of production into Kiffin’s offensive system, with Sam Leavitt at quarterback, and you’ve got the makings of a breakout year. Remember, Leavitt helped Jordyn Dyson rack up 75 catches for 1,101 yards at Arizona State in 2024.
That’s the kind of ceiling Brown is walking into-and he’s got the skillset to hit it. Expect him to be Leavitt’s go-to target and a serious candidate to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark.
A Deep and Dynamic Transfer Class
Brown may be the headliner, but he’s far from the only addition. Kiffin didn’t just reload-he restocked the entire shelf.
- Jackson Harris (Hawai’i) brings vertical speed and big-play ability.
- Winston Watkins (Ole Miss) is a former Kiffin recruit who knows the system and can work the slot with quickness and precision.
- Eugene Wilson III (Florida) adds versatility and SEC experience.
- Tre’ Brown III (Old Dominion) and Malik Elzy (Illinois) round out a group that has both size and speed across the board.
That’s a transfer class with a mix of proven production and untapped upside-exactly what you want when rebuilding a position group from scratch.
Don’t Forget the Depth
Beyond the top-tier transfers, Kiffin also made sure to build out the room with depth pieces who could emerge as key contributors. Transfers Josh Jackson (McNeese), Tyree Holloway (West Florida), and Roman Mothershed (Troy) give LSU a solid second wave of receivers who can step in if needed. And the incoming freshmen-Jabari Mack, Corey Barber, and Brayden Allen-represent the future of the position, with time to develop behind a veteran group.
A Red Zone Nightmare for Defenses
And let’s not forget about Trey’Dez Green, LSU’s star tight end who might be the most dangerous red zone threat in the country. With all the new faces at wide receiver, Green gives the offense a security blanket and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
The Bottom Line
LSU’s wide receiver room has gone from bare bones to one of the most intriguing groups in the SEC, thanks to a transfer haul that blends experience, explosiveness, and depth. Jayce Brown is poised to be the focal point, but Kiffin has surrounded him with enough talent to keep defenses guessing-and Leavitt has the arm to make it all click.
It’s a new era in Baton Rouge, and if this receiving corps gels the way it’s capable of, LSU’s offense could be one of the most dynamic in the country in 2026.