How transfer portal TE Malachi Thomas fits with LSU football roster
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BATON ROUGE — Lane Kiffin is picking up the pace out of the transfer portal early this week.
LSU football signed Pitt transfer tight end Malachi Thomas on Monday, bumping up their portal commitments on the day to two. Utah transfer running back Raycine Guillory signed with LSU earlier Monday.
The tight end announced the move via his Instagram page. Kiffin is steadily rebuilding LSU’s offense as the first three transfer portal players the Tigers landed have been offensive players. Hawai’i wide receiver Jackson Harris was the first portal signing Sunday for LSU.
Thomas was in line to start at tight end for Pitt next season but he opted to enter his name into the transfer portal. In a primary backup role in 2025, the 6-4, 220-pounder put up 13 catches for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Why TE Malachi Thomas picked LSU football out of transfer portal
It’s unclear why Thomas decided to enter the portal instead of stay with Pitt. From LSU’s perspective, it needed a player of Thomas’ talent on roster.
The expectation when the portal opened last week was that Kiffin and his offensive staff wanted to add one tight end out of the portal. Thomas visited LSU the first weekend of the transfer portal window and that likely showed him how much of a priority he was for them.
How Malachi Thomas will fit with LSU football’s rostser
Starting LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green is a pass catcher and a lethal red zone target. But Kiffin’s system is different than what LSU was running and bringing in Thomas was about designed fit.
Thomas won’t play above Green, but their skill sets are varied. Thomas is a bit more of a possession pass catcher and a more polished blocker from the tight end role. Expect the two to be on the field a decent amount together.
LSU football transfer targets
- Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt
- Boise State safety Ty Benefield
- Penn State edge rusher Chaz Coleman
- Kansas State wide receiver Jayce Brown
- Florida wide receiver Eugene Wilson
- Clemson defensive lineman Stephiylan Green
- North Carolina State wide receiver Terrell Anderson
- California-Davis running back Carter Vargas
- McNeese State cornerback Javon Davis
- UAB wide receiver Iverson Hooks
When does transfer portal close
The NCAA transfer portal window closes on Jan. 16. Players cannot enter their name in the portal following that date. But those whose name is already in the transfer portal can still decide and sign with a new school after Jan. 16.
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: How transfer portal TE Malachi Thomas fits with LSU football roster
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