How Lane Kiffin can use transfer portal to reset LSU football for '26
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BATON ROUGE — When Lane Kiffin looks at the roster he inherited after taking the LSU football head coaching job, he had plenty of position groups in which the talent could be upgraded.
That’s where the transfer portal comes in for him as he navigates his first transfer portal window, which formally opens Jan. 2, as LSU’s football coach. The questions surrounding’s Kiffin’s first roster build with the Tigers is which positions will be prioritized over others.
LSU’s needs are vast: quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver, running back, defensive line and linebacker. So, expect Kiffin and his staff to be heavily active in the portal this offseason.
Where will LSU start?
Judging by Kiffin’s past, his background as an offensive coach and scheme, it’s likely LSU’s transfer portal approach will start on the offensive side of the ball, identifying a couple of quarterbacks first. Offensive line will be at the top following Carius Curne, Tyree Adams, Paul MuBenga, Coen Echols, D.J. Chester and Ory Williams planning to enter their names into the transfer portal.
Receiver is a big part of Kiffin’s system, as well, so LSU will be vying for the top pass catchers in the portal. LSU does have Harlem Berry — a running back. But, depth is needed and Kiffin could also add a major piece at the position to challenge for the starting role.
Linebacker and defensive line will also be coveted areas to fill in with transfers. Kiffin had success with those positions out of the transfer portal at Ole Miss and the expectation is that continues.
LSU football depth chart analysis
Offensive line is where LSU was hit the most with players exiting via the transfer portal. Arguably, the Tigers’ most promising linemen, sophomore left tackle Tyree Adams and freshman Carius Curne plan to enter their names in the portal when it opens.
But the OL isn’t the only unit where LSU is thin with depth. There’s two quarterbacks on the roster, as of now, in Michael Van Buren and walk-on Emile Picarella. The top four wide receivers have departed the team, most due to graduation — while Aaron Anderson plans to enter his name in the 2026 NFL Draft.
LSU needs bodies up front, along the defensive line, but the main area of concern is in the middle of the defense at linebacker. Whit Weeks has yet to reveal if he’s returning to school for his senior season or forgoing it for the NFL Draft. But, LSU is losing Harold Perkins Jr. to the draft, West Weeks to graduation and the NFL.
LSU football transfer portal needs
With Kiffin now at the helm, there is sizeable expected roster turnover for the Tigers. That means the new coaching staff will be in the market for a number of players and the roster needs will be plentiful.
LSU will likely start at quarterback, but the needs on offense don’t stop there. The offensive line will be depleted as six linemen have announced they intend to transfer out and the unit was already young and lacking of depth. Kiffin will want some wide receivers as well as LSU’s top receiver is graduating.
On defense, defensive line and linebacker will be areas where the transfer portal should be most utilized. Both of those units had seniors and they’ll be gone so the Tigers will be in the market for quality players that can come in and start.
When does transfer portal open?
The college football transfer portal opens Jan. 2.
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: LSU football transfer portal strategy: How Lane Kiffin can fix Tigers
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