Three LSU football transfers could be surprise stars in 2026

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LSU football’s transfer portal class was loaded with elite talent. Lane Kiffin and the Tigers signed three of On3’s top-five transfers: QB Sam Leavitt, EDGE Princewill Umanmielen, and OT Jordan Seaton.

The big names draw the headlines, but LSU signed over 40+ new players. LSU’s 2026 won’t just depend on the roster’s 10 best players. 11-40 matters, too.

Today, we’ll look at LSU’s five most underrated transfer portal additions of the 2026 cycle. Kiffin and GM Billy Glasscock made a habit of finding diamonds in the rough at Ole Miss. Just look at what the Rebels got from Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy in 2025. Chambliss and Lacy weren’t on the sport’s radar in the preseason.

This LSU squad is sure to have a few breakouts, too. Here are three LSU transfers who may not be at the forefront of discussion now, but could be by October.

Malik Blocton | Defensive Line

LSU signed defensive tackle Malik Blocton after Blocton spent two years at Auburn, playing 718 snaps across 2024 and 2025. It’s hard to find trench players with proven SEC experience in the transfer portal, which made Blocton a valuable addition.

Blocton didn’t generate the same hype as Umanmielen, but Blocton left spring practice as the favorite for one of the starting defensive tackle spots. Blocton ran with the first team for most of LSU’s April practices. That’s an encouraging sign.

Blocton was good at Auburn, but if reports are to be believed, he’s taken another step at LSU. Blockton notched 12 pressures and seven stops in 2025 — expect those totals to increase this fall.

Jackson Harris | Wide Receiver

Former Hawai’i wideout Jackson Harris was LSU’s first transfer commitment. He hasn’t necessarily flown under the radar, but he hasn’t received the same attention as fellow wide receivers Winston Watkins and Jayce Brown.

Harris has a real chance to be one of LSU’s top three target getters this fall. Harris is coming off a year where he caught 49 passes for 963 yards and 12 touchdowns. Per PFF, Harris’s offensive grade was 83.9. We’re talking about one of the nation’s most efficient pass catchers. If Harris comes anywhere close to that mark vs. SEC competition, he’ll be seen as a critical part of this offense.

Dilin Jones | Running Back

Jones was a surprise breakout during spring practice. The former Wisconsin running back earned a handful of first-team reps, despite playing alongside five-star running back Harlem Berry. Jones carried the ball 77 times for 300 yards with the Badgers in 2025. The numbers aren’t too impressive, but LSU sees something in Jones, and Kiffin and Co. are betting on the skills.

Jones gives LSU a veteran back — one that can hold up in pass protection and fight for short yardage. He’s a well-rounded player, even if he’s yet to put it all together on the field. Playing alongside uograded talent in Kiffin’s tempo offense should boost Jones’s efficiency. He’s a name to know entering 2026.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Three underrated LSU football transfers could surprise in 2026

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