Here's 5 transfer portal targets for Lane Kiffin's LSU from teams with new coaches
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BATON ROUGE – When he was hired, LSU football Lane Kiffin laid out that the most important things he needed to get done in the first few days, and weeks, of landing his new job was closing out the early signing period for LSU’s 2026 recruiting class. Second was filling out his coaching staff.
Kiffin checked the first one off and landed what is rated the 13th-best class, per the 247Sports Composite and he’s still working on completing his full-time on-field staff.
What’s next for Kiffin at LSU has to be filling out his first roster with the Tigers through the transfer portal, which opens Jan. 2. Kiffin has made a name for himself in how he and his staffs at his previous stop, Ole Miss, worked magic through the portal.
The expectation is that at LSU, the portal czar will be able to pursue and land transfers with more ease. Teams with coaching changes will see turnover and there could be opportunities for LSU to beef up its roster with some of those players that elect to move on.
Who could Kiffin and company target out of the transfer portal from those teams? Here’s a list of five players.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
LSU needs a quarterback and what better one than Kiffin’s former quarterback with the Rebels. The senior is petitioning the NCAA for another year of eligibility and that decision is pending. If he is granted another year, like Diego Pavia at Vanderbilt was, Chambliss will play college football in 2026. Could it be somewhere another than Ole Miss? If so, Kiffin would undoubtedly go after him as there a track record for success with the two on the same team.
Xavier Atkins, LB, Auburn
Could Kiffin convince Atkins to come back to Baton Rouge? Atkins transferred from LSU to Auburn last offseason after his freshman season. He put together a great sophomore year on the Plains, totaling 84 tackles, nine sacks and an interception. LSU needs help at linebacker, and if Atkins were to enter the portal, Kiffin needs to be his first call.
Nick Marsh, WR, Michigan State
The top-rated overall player currently in the transfer portal, Marsh will be heavily sought-after out of the portal as his combination of size and production in college could help anyone in need of a receiver. LSU will need pass catchers as it will lose a few starters, and it’s also unknown if the Tigers will lose any to the transfer portal themselves. That’s where Marsh comes in. He’s already has more than 1,300 receiving yards and 100 catches in his collegiate career.
Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
Pounds has been one of the best offensive linemen in the Southeastern Conference this season, helping clear the way for stellar running back Kewan Lacy and an Ole Miss rushing attack that was one of the best in the country. Kiffin knows Pounds’ strengths and weaknesses already and, with the amount of help that LSU needs up front, if Pounds were to enter the transfer portal, Kiffin will want him in Baton Rouge.
Ben Murawski, OT, UConn
Murawski is rated as a three-star transfer by the 247Sports Composite, which is an upgrade from how he was evaluated earlier in his career. He’s currently the top-rated offensive tackle in the transfer portal. The biggest weakness for LSU this season was at tackle. Murawski has played a lot of football and the rising senior could come to Baton Rouge and push for playing time.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Here are 5 transfer portal targets for Lane Kiffin and LSU football
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