3 positions LSU football should address in transfer portal

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The dust has settled on LSU Football’s 2026 recruiting class, and the team’s staff is (mostly) complete. Now it’s time for Lane Kiffin and co. to evaluate the current roster and determine who they will try to lure to Baton Rouge in the upcoming transfer portal window, which opens January 2.

Kiffin built a reputation as one of the top transfer portal recruiters while at Ole Miss. The transfer portal took off in 2022, and since then, Ole Miss’s transfer class has been ranked top-five every cycle. In 2025, transfers Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy have been cornerstones for the Rebels’ historic season.

From 2022-24, Ole Miss was quarterbacked by Jaxson Dart, another transfer. Since arriving in Baton Rouge, Kiffin has repeatedly teased the opening of the transfer portal on social media. With strong financial backing from LSU, Kiffin and staff are ready to make some splashes.

Here’s a look at which positions they should prioritize:

Wide Receiver

With so many of the top transfer quarterbacks linked to LSU, Kiffin should find some receivers for the Tigers’ future quarterback to throw to.

The only returning receivers to earn 10 or more targets this season are redshirt sophomore Kyle Parker and redshirt junior Nic Anderson. Parker had a couple of big games in 2025, but Anderson looked like a non-factor for much of the season. There’s surely a developmental runway for both next season, but for the Tigers to achieve the first-year success many are hoping for, they’ll need to find some competition on the open market.

Best Available: Omarion Miller, Colorado

Miller is 247Sports’ top receiver available, and he has ties to LSU. Miller, a Louisiana native, was committed to play for LSU from August ’21 until May ’22. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Offensive Tackle

LSU’s offensive line was one of the worst in the SEC this season, grading as PFSN’s third-worst unit in the conference. Although the interior struggled at times, the tackles were the bigger issue by a wide margin. To make matters worse, former five-star true freshman OL Carius Curne plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens. Kiffin now needs more than just competition at the position; he needs starters.

Best Available: Josh Atkins, Arizona State

Atkins wouldn’t be an elite get for the Tigers, but he’s been solid over his three seasons as a starter at Hawaii and Arizona State. Given the state of the Tigers’ tackle room, solid would be an upgrade.

Quarterback

LSU signed one of the top quarterbacks in last year’s portal in sophomore Michael Van Buren, but he didn’t look like the top-tier option many hoped to see in 2025. Per PFF, Van Buren totaled 521 passing yards, three touchdown passes, and six turnover-worthy plays in his starts. He might become a quality option with further development, but it feels like the Tigers’ best bet is to find a replacement for 2026.

Best Available: Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati

Sorsby is currently 247Sports’ top-rated transfer quarterback, and for good reason. He’s got the arm talent, toughness, and athleticism to succeed; he just needs someone to refine his talent. Sorsby earned PFF’s 10th-best passing grade in the nation in 2025, tying for seventh in touchdown passes (25) and big-time throws (23). His process can be a bit of a mess at times, but with Kiffin’s proven ability to develop quarterbacks, it could lead to a playoff run in year one under the new regime.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: 3 positions LSU football should address in transfer portal

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