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LSU football did exactly what everyone expected after hiring Lane Kiffin this offseason, signing the No. 1 transfer portal class and setting the team up for a chance to make a run in the 2026 College Football Playoff. 

There were several major needs on the roster heading into the offseason, but it appears Kiffin and his staff’s recruiting prowess will give the Tigers a chance to compete sooner than many predicted would be possible.

The team will be led by several big-name newcomers, but for the Tigers to be legitimate contenders in 2026, they’ll need some unexpected players to emerge as stars.

Here are three LSU football players who seem primed for a breakout year in 2026.

Harlem Berry — RB

LSU's failure to convince Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy to transfer to LSU may have felt like a massive loss this offseason, but Berry has the chance to negate that disappointment in 2026. The former five-star had a limited role in LSU's offense for the first half of the season, but took the lion's share of snaps after the firing of former LSU OC Joe Sloan.

Over the final five games of the season, Berry recorded 58 carries for 256 yards, 76% of which came after contact, per PFF. Ball security issues cropped up with this increased role, recording three fumbles over that five-game stretch, but Berry’s explosive ability should be a massive asset for Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Zach Nagy, Berry reached a top speed of 21.9 miles per hour during the Tigers’ offseason workouts, which may be an early indicator of what Tiger fans will see from him behind LSU’s new-and-improved offensive line next season.

Gabriel Reliford — EDGE

Reliford’s impact on LSU’s 2025 defense was significant, though unfortunately limited. He appeared in only four games last season, but those games painted a picture of a potential star on the Tigers’ defensive line. 

Reliford has a physical playstyle and a high motor, paired with excellent hands and solid bend around the edge. His play strength and balance need to improve for him to become more reliable against the run, but his ceiling is tantalizing. With Jack Pyburn and Patrick Payton off to the NFL, Reliford has the chance to shine opposite transfer edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen in 2026.

Jackson Harris — WR

Hawaii WR Jackson Harris (@jackssonharriss) continues his hot streak for the Warriors.

Harris notched his third straight 100+ yard game against MWC foe Colorado State, torching the Rams’ secondary with 5 catches for 109 yards and 2 TD’s.#Braddahhood#GoBows 🌈 #G5pic.twitter.com/7EJAGZ1NtU

— Bryan (@BGauvin23) October 22, 2025

Harris, who transferred to LSU from Hawaii this offseason, has the opportunity to carve out a significant role in LSU’s offense in 2026. Kiffin’s offenses have always hinged on having one big-bodied receiver who thrives on the outside — De’Zhaun Stribling in ‘25, Tre’ Harris in ’24 and ’23, and Jonathan Mingo in ’22 — and at 6’3” 205, Harris looks like the next edition.

Harris' size limits his ability to be a dangerous lateral mover, but that shouldn’t be a major hindrance in the role he’s expected to play, which should feature a heavy diet of go routes, curls, and the occasional slant. That route tree was how he earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2025, and if Harris can adjust to the caliber of player he’ll face in the SEC, then expect him to have a huge year in Baton Rouge.

LSU football's top-ranked transfer portal additions

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football: 3 players to watch for a 2026 breakout

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