Newly-Eligible Notre Dame DE Junior Tuihalamaka Commits To LSU Tigers

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The LSU Tigers just secured a surprising last-second addition to Lane Kiffin's debut roster, as Notre Dame Fighting Irish transfer defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka committed on Friday afternoon, per ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Tuihalamaka was part of the group of athletes who were awarded a fifth year of eligibility (and the ability to enter the transfer portal immediately) via a TRO against the NCAA thanks to a Louisiana court ruling.

It was expected that the Tigers would be improving their defensive line after this news, but the most obvious move would have been welcoming back Jack Pyburn. Rather than wait for him to be cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, LSU worked fast to secure a talented defensive end.

Tuihalamaka spent four years on the Fighting Irish, mostly as a rotational defensive end. He picked up 61 tackles, nine TFLs, 4.0 sacks and two fumbles recovered during his time there. It was a little bit underwhelming production for someone who was a star prospect, but the talent is clearly there, and he is an established rotational end.

For what the Tigers still needed, this was a perfect match. They had already brought in their new star pass rushers, Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross. They had great depth to go along with that, but the loss of Gabriel Reliford forced LSU to get a little bit uneasy.

They have adjusted with moves like switching Jaiden Braker from linebacker to end, but now they get someone who has played a lot of football. Another major win for the Tigers in this new era of confusing college eligibility.

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