Lane Kiffin isn’t just rebuilding LSU’s roster-he’s reloading it with top-tier talent, and he’s doing it through a familiar avenue: the transfer portal. On Wednesday, LSU landed another major piece from Kiffin’s old stomping grounds, as elite edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen officially signed with the Tigers.
This is a big one. Umanmielen isn’t just another body in the rotation-he’s the No. 1 edge rusher and the No. 5 overall player in the portal, per 247Sports.
That kind of ranking doesn’t just pad a depth chart-it changes the ceiling of a defense. And for Kiffin, it's his second five-star portal addition this offseason, adding more firepower to a class that’s already considered the best in the country.
The timing is key here, too. LSU is racing toward Thursday’s deadline to enroll new transfers, and Kiffin is making every move count. Umanmielen’s commitment gives LSU a serious jolt on the defensive side of the ball, and it’s part of a larger trend: players who trust Kiffin are following him to Baton Rouge.
In fact, Umanmielen becomes the fourth player to make the jump from Ole Miss to LSU this offseason, joining linebacker TJ Dottery, offensive lineman Devin Harper, and wide receiver Winston Watkins. That kind of continuity matters.
These guys already know Kiffin’s system, his expectations, and his style. That familiarity could accelerate Umanmielen’s impact, especially in a defense that’s looking for immediate production off the edge.
And if you’re wondering what kind of production he brings-look no further than last season. Umanmielen was a force at Ole Miss in 2025, leading the team with 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
He even added an interception and a pass breakup, showing he’s more than just a pass rusher-he’s a complete disruptor. That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s exactly what LSU needs as it looks to reassert itself in the SEC.
Umanmielen’s journey has already taken a few turns. A former blue-chip recruit, he started his career at Nebraska before breaking out in the SEC. Now, with another leap-this time to LSU-he’s positioned to be a cornerstone of what could be a much-improved Tigers defense.
And Kiffin might not be done yet. All signs point to Colorado’s Jordan Seaton, a five-star offensive tackle, potentially joining LSU as well.
Seaton, who spent two years under Deion Sanders in Boulder, recently entered the portal and is expected to land in Baton Rouge. If that happens, it would be another massive win for Kiffin in the trenches.
But even without Seaton’s signature just yet, LSU’s portal haul is already turning heads. With Umanmielen in the fold, the Tigers aren’t just stacking talent-they’re building something that looks ready to compete right now.