Transfer Portal 2022-2023

[LSUDad]

LSU lands PWO commitment from Ryan Robinson Jr.

• by Sonny Shipp
• 7 hours ago

One of Brian Kelly's goals in shaping his roster at LSU centers around attracting walk-ons he feels can contribute at the SEC level. The Tigers landed one of those guys, as three-star cornerback Ryan Robinson Jr. committed as a preferred walk-on.

In the 5-foot-11, 180-pound range and out of Edna Karr High School in New Orleans, Robinson landed some impressive offers throughout his recruitment. Nebraska, Auburn, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida State, Michigan State, Oregon, Ole Miss and Mississippi State were some of the schools that offered the No. 28 overall prospect in Louisiana’s 2023 class.

[houtiger]

21 hours ago, LSUDad said:

The Tigers landed one of those guys, as three-star cornerback Ryan Robinson Jr. committed as a preferred walk-on.

I'm surprised with that offer list, I assume with a scholly, that he would take a PWO at LSU.  Now he has a strong incentive to develop.

[LSUDad]

Final Look: Every Move LSU Made in the Transfer Portal

A dive into the Tigers' additions, departures and where former players transferred to.
 

LSU has been extremely active in the transfer portal since it opened in early December. Adding 11 players to fill positions of need while 17 members of the program announced their departure from Baton Rouge, there’s been significant change to this roster. 

Who’s in? Who’s out? Who can make an immediate impact on this program moving forward?

Here’s a list of who the Tigers brought in and a dive into who’s entered the portal:

The Additions

CB Darian “Duce” Chestnut - Sophomore - Syracuse 

CB JK Johnson - Sophomore - Ohio State

CB Zy Alexander – Junior – Southeastern Louisiana

CB Denver Harris – Sophomore – Texas A&M

WR Aaron Anderson – Redshirt Freshman – Alabama

LB Omar Speights - Senior - Oregon State
 

DE Ovie Oghoufo - Senior - Texas 

EDGE Bradyn Swinson – Junior – Oregon

DL Paris Shand – Junior – Arizona

DT Jalen Lee – Junior – Florida

DT Jordan Jefferson – Senior – West Virginia
 

Aaron Anderson, the singular player this program has brought in on offense, provides the Tigers with a player who can add a different dimension to this squad. With the departure of Kayshon Boutte and Jaray Jenkins, this receiving corps needed a boost. Insert Anderson. Along with his contributions on offense, Anderson will be a huge piece to special teams. A gifted return specialist, the New Orleans native looks to fill that role almost instantly.
 

The Departures

 

Walker Howard - Quarterback - Transferring to Ole Miss

DeMario Tolan - Linebacker - Transferring to Auburn 

Jack Bech - Wide Receiver - Transferring to TCU

Cam Wire - Offensive Lineman - Transferring to Tulane

Kole Taylor - Tight End - Transferring to West Virginia 

Marcus Dumervil - Offensive Line - Transferring to Maryland

Xavier Hill - Offensive Line - Transferring to Memphis 

Raydarious Jones - Cornerback - Transferring to Mississippi State
 

Kolbe Fields - Linebacker - Transferring to Louisiana Tech 

Derrick Davis Jr. - Safety/Running Back - Transferring to Pittsburgh 

Jaelyn Davis-Robinson - Cornerback - Transferring to SMU

Damarius McGhee - Cornerback - Transferring to Kansas
 

Antoine Sampah - Linebacker - Transferring to Campbell 

Philip Webb - EDGE - Transferring to Jackson State 

Zavier Carter - Defensive Line - Remains in NCAA Transfer Portal 

Desmond Little - EDGE - Remains in NCAA Transfer Portal 

Kardell Thomas - Offensive Line - Remains in Portal 
 

 

[LSUDad]

Once again, the transfer portal has treated Kelly well. He’s brought in a group of immediate impact players at positions of need, especially at linebacker and in the secondary, and LSU’s transfer class ranks as the best in college football, per 247Sports.

Sometimes industry folks can overrate or underrate certain players, so it can be best to hear things directly from the mouths of those who are more directly involved. ESPN discussed which teams are winning the portal so far with several anonymous coaches, and LSU unsurprisingly came up. However, one SEC coordinator did question how sustainable Kelly’s roster strategy is.

 

LSU always will be one of the best-positioned programs for top high school players, especially from within the state. But the team had roster issues during its recent coaching transition, and it hit the portal for quarterback Jayden Daniels (Arizona State), defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (Missouri), cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Oklahoma State) and others. The roster is in better shape now, and LSU signed ESPN’s No. 7 recruiting class but also kept mining the portal.

Top additions include linebacker Omar Speights, who earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors at Oregon State in 2022, as well as defensive backs Duce Chestnut (Syracuse), Denver Harris (Texas A&M) and JK Johnson (Ohio State). LSU also bolstered its defensive front with Ovie Oghoufo (Texas), Jordan Jefferson (West Virginia) and Jalen Lee (Florida).

 

“That might not be what Brian Kelly wants to do, but last year, they were depleted and they took a bunch of kids out of the portal,” an SEC coordinator said. “This year, they’re taking a ton of kids out of the portal. It’s kind of one of those never-ending cycles, where once you do, you’ve got to keep doing it to replenish. LSU might be a little bit different, where you can get some blue chips that can help you right away, but it’s hard.”

There’s a lot to like about the Tigers’ transfer class. Speights has been one of the top linebackers in college football over the last few seasons, and that should continue in Baton Rouge. Additions like Chestnut and Harris should give the secondary plenty of talent, while LSU added a lot of depth on the defensive line.

 

Relying so much on the portal may not be ideal, but it has also allowed Kelly to turn things around at LSU much quicker than many expected. With this transfer haul, he’s set to have a competitive team in the SEC West once again.

[Herb]

Sometimes there is a reason on the ones you don't sign.

https://247sports.com/Article/Oregon-football-dismisses-Traeshon-Holden-after-Alabama-transfer-WRs-arrest-204795077/

[LSUDad]

7 hours ago, Herb said:

Sometimes there is a reason on the ones you don't sign.

https://247sports.com/Article/Oregon-football-dismisses-Traeshon-Holden-after-Alabama-transfer-WRs-arrest-204795077/

That’s why I say, sometimes it’s better to lose a few. Be thankful for the ones you got! 

[houtiger]

On 2/16/2023 at 2:24 PM, LSUDad said:

That’s why I say, sometimes it’s better to lose a few. Be thankful for the ones you got! 

I hope BK investigates "character" before he signs these kids.  I suspect he tries, talks to the high school coach, evaluates when they come in for a visit, but you still get fooled once in a while.

[houtiger]

I checked the rule on the transfer portal, and it is NOT free agency every year.  You get ONE penalty free transfer, and no more.  That looks like a good rule.

"The “one-time transfer exception” remains in place, allowing immediate eligibility for athletes the first time they transfer. For all subsequent transfers, athletes will still be required to sit out a year or receive an NCAA waiver for immediate eligibility."

https://www.al.com/sports/2022/08/ncaa-modifies-transfer-portal-rules-but-will-not-allow-unlimited-transfers-without-sitting-out.html

[Hatchertiger]

10 hours ago, houtiger said:

  or receive an NCAA waiver for immediate eligibility."

And there is the rub.

[houtiger]

15 hours ago, Hatchertiger said:

And there is the rub.

It's possible, but if the NCAA wants to maintain any credibility and control, they will make those waivers hard to get.  Otherwise its total free agency every year, and that's just stupid.

[dachsie]

He didnt last long:

https://www.on3.com/college/lsu-tigers/news/defensive-back-michael-daugherty-intends-entering-ncaa-transfer-portal/?fbclid=IwAR1jQV0hY0uZWNvnZPJg79pmne81gZUjgA9pjUzwEeZlwWUU8CkRL9hoWYI

[Herb]

12 hours ago, dachsie said:

He didnt last long:

https://www.on3.com/college/lsu-tigers/news/defensive-back-michael-daugherty-intends-entering-ncaa-transfer-portal/?fbclid=IwAR1jQV0hY0uZWNvnZPJg79pmne81gZUjgA9pjUzwEeZlwWUU8CkRL9hoWYI

I'm not sure what to think about this one. Is there more to the story?

Seems odd to blow your single transfer so soon. Any additional transfer will require him to sit out a year unless his HC is fired (or he graduates).

Did he turn out to be problematic academically or a big problem getting along with teammates and Kelly told him to hit the road?

Just kind of weird. 

[Fishhead]

Just picked up another OL

"Wilson Alexander
@whalexander_
Mason Lunsford mainly played left guard the last two seasons at Maryland. LSU has been looking for an interior offensive line transfer and now has one.
Quote Tweet
Wilson Alexander
@whalexander_"

Anybody got any of dem DBs??

[LSUDad]

Two for 1! 
 

LSU confirmed the signing Tuesday, adding depth to the interior offensive line. Lunsford started for the last two years at Maryland before he entered the NCAA transfer portal with two years of eligibility. 

Lunsford chose LSU over Notre Dame and Arkansas. He said his younger brother, Martin Lunsford, will join the team as a walk-on inside linebacker this fall.

LSU had been looking for an experienced interior offensive line transfer. It missed out on Cincinnati center Jake Renfro and Miami center Jakai Clark before adding Lunsford.

Lunsford signed with Maryland as a three-star in-state recruit in the 2019 class. He turned into a key player on the Terps' offensive line, starting 23 games over the last two seasons.

Overall, Lunsford has made 26 career starts. He primarily appeared at guard and has never played center, a position where LSU has competition this offseason between returning starter Charles Turner and senior Marlon Martinez.

[Herb]

LSU is favored to land RB Logan Diggs from Notre Dame. Diggs entered the portal earlier this week and was a Brian Kelly recruit when Kelly was HC at Notre Dame.

Diggs had 1,052 yds rushing in 2 seasons and 7 TDs and averaged 5 yards a carry last season.

Given the uncertain status of John Emery, getting Diggs would be good insurance.

Wish he could play corner, though.

[houtiger]

Even without Emery we have a lot of running backs.  Josh Williams started last year and returns.  We got Noah Cain who lost a little weight, and Armoni Goodwin.  We have two freshmen coming in, Trey Holly and Kaleb Jackson.  Holly got a lot of work in spring along with Cain, given Williams and Goodwin were out with injury and Emery was working on his grades.  Jackson has yet to arrive, but he's 220 lbs. and ran track.

That gives us 5 if Emery does not return, six if he does.  The ND back has experience, but he's not a super get.  I'd pass. 

Now a good o-lineman, I'd like.  I wonder if any of our players leave now that spring practice is over?

Edited April 29, 2023 by houtiger

[Herb]

14 hours ago, houtiger said:

I wonder if any of our players leave now that spring practice is over?

Coach Prime wants you to hold his beer.

[LSUDad]

19 hours ago, Herb said:

LSU is favored to land RB Logan Diggs from Notre Dame. Diggs entered the portal earlier this week and was a Brian Kelly recruit when Kelly was HC at Notre Dame.

Diggs had 1,052 yds rushing in 2 seasons and 7 TDs and averaged 5 yards a carry last season.

Given the uncertain status of John Emery, getting Diggs would be good insurance.

Wish he could play corner, though.

Saw a little of his film, well rounded back, handles the blitz well and has good hands in the receiving part of the game. I Kelly wants him, Diggs would be your top 2 or 3 back on the team. Maybe #1. 
Don’t know what you have with Emery, Goodwin, too many injuries. We had a walk-on taking most of the load last year. Cain did well, in spot duty. 
 

Kelly is getting his roster together. 

[Herb]

I think we have about 5 scholarships to give? Anyone have the stats handy?

[Herb]

https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/lsu-football-great-spot-roster-construction-209238429/

 

Quote

LSU football in great shape following second transfer portal window opportunity

ByGLEN WEST 12 hours ago

LSU appears to be in tip top shape roster construction wise as the second transfer portal window has come and gone. As of Monday morning, zero LSU scholarship players have elected to enter their names into the portal, 247Sports Chris Hummer told Geaux247.

Names will still trickle out over the next few days from players who sent in their transfer portal paperwork in time so there will still be some time before it's all official. But as of now, there's a belief that there will be no additional names to pop up from LSU.

Sunday was the final day college football players could file the paperwork to enter the NCAA transfer portal until Dec. 4 and after much speculation and patiently waiting, the Tigers got through the second window this cycle unscathed. It’s a perfect situation for Brian Kelly and LSU as it sets up what can now be attacking the portal with talent accumulation the only area to worry about for the program.

LSU has 78 roster spots filled on its 85 man scholarship limit so there’s plenty of work that can be done moving forward the next several weeks. Not having to worry about losing players and still being able to add to the depth of your roster is why these portal windows were created.

Kelly has already talked about what the Tigers would be looking for in the second transfer portal window, mainly describing LSU’s need for depth at several positions.

“I still think there’s a couple of needs on defense. I think we’re still interested on the offensive line, there’s an interest to add to our offense,” Kelly said a few weeks ago. “I would say that we’re guarded at this period of time as to somebody who’s going to make a difference in an LSU football lineup. These are probably going to be guys that can add depth to what you’re doing.”

There’s still a concern for Kelly in regards to the depth of some positions on the roster, which is another reason why it was a relief that the program didn’t lose any of those players over the last few weeks to the portal. Defensive lineman turned o-lineman for the spring Kells Bush was really the only noteworthy loss and he was a walk-on player.

Heading into the spring, it was important for LSU to get quarterback Garrett Nussmeier more involved with the first team and that was accomplished. Nussmeier could probably start on 90% of college football teams but he’s always wanted to be in Baton Rouge, proving that through his actions every step of the way. Offensive lineman Marlon Martinez was another name that popped up as a potential departure but the extended reps he got this spring as first team center gave him a lot more confidence that he’d be able to contribute and achieve the “best version of himself” by sticking around for 2023.

After the spring game Kelly did talk about those potential injury concerns and why LSU currently is in a position where it needs to stay healthy to be the best version of itself.

“We’re getting closer to that. Clearly the area of concern for us is in depth. Two or three key injuries puts us in a very difficult spot,” Kelly said. “We should be able to in the SEC West be able to sustain some key injuries, I don’t believe we’re at that point yet. If we stay injury free and continue to develop we’re gonna be fine but that’s not where you want to be in this league.”

That can be said for every team around the SEC. For example, losing Maason Smith last year could’ve really stunted the Tigers’ season in 2022 but the emergence of a guy like Mekhi Wingo helped lessen the blow of Smith’s loss to a certain degree.

While it’s far-fetched to believe LSU will find someone of that impact this late in the recruiting process in the portal, there are some needs for this roster and players who fit the mold of portal additions in the past. Looking at positions first, running back, safety, offensive line and tight end all make sense if the right portal option should come along.

One name that’s already been linked to LSU is Notre Dame transfer running back Logan Diggs, who is a Louisiana native coming off a really nice second season with the Irish where he rushed for 822 yards on five yards per carry. Adding him to what’s a deep group but also one that has an injury history would make a lot of sense for this running back room.6COMMENTS

In the next month, LSU will also be adding 13 new additions from the 2023 signing class so that can’t be overlooked either. The offensive line, receiver and secondary groups will be big winners when all of those players arrive in the summer.

As the dust settles on who is in the transfer portal, more names of interest will start to surface for LSU. But for the time being, most in and out of the LSU program can be pleased with the fact there won’t be any more huge turnaround with the roster in terms of losses.

 

[Herb]

On 4/28/2023 at 9:41 PM, houtiger said:

Even without Emery we have a lot of running backs.  Josh Williams started last year and returns.  We got Noah Cain who lost a little weight, and Armoni Goodwin.  We have two freshmen coming in, Trey Holly and Kaleb Jackson.  Holly got a lot of work in spring along with Cain, given Williams and Goodwin were out with injury and Emery was working on his grades.  Jackson has yet to arrive, but he's 220 lbs. and ran track.

That gives us 5 if Emery does not return, six if he does.  The ND back has experience, but he's not a super get.  I'd pass. 

Now a good o-lineman, I'd like.  I wonder if any of our players leave now that spring practice is over?

I meant to reply to this a couple of weeks ago, but forgot. The Advocate had an article today on why Kelly is keen to add depth to the RB room.

If you look at LSU's roster, we have three 5th year seniors: Cain, Emory, and Williams; Armani Goodwin (a junior); and 2 incoming freshmen .

Emery, Cain, and Williams will all be gone next year and Goodwin will be draft eligible and could declare early.  That would leave us with only 2 scholarship running backs (both underclassmen) going into next year if Goodwin decides to go pro (or decides to hit the portal for the highest NIL bidder).

If Emery "doesn't make the grade', we have a single running back with any game experience that doesn't have a history of injuries in Williams (though I can't recall if he also had an injury in the past). Worst case scenario is Emery is out for academic issues and we have one or more RB injured.

In order to enter the portal, Diggs had to be in good academic standing so there are likely zero grade issues with him.

Not only would he be great insurance and likely see significant game time, he'd give us a veteran RB heading into next season when - without him - we'll be down to 2 sophomore running backs on scholarship next year. This is another area where the great recruiter Orgeron didn't GAF and left gaps in recruiting classes at a valuable position.