This marks the Tigers’ most impressive and cunning acquisition from the transfer portal.
Brian Kelly’s transition from Notre Dame to LSU football and the SEC initially raised doubts, but his tenure has been surprisingly successful so far. Achieving either a first or second-place finish in the SEC West and securing an SEC Championship Game appearance in his debut season at Baton Rouge has been commendable. However, replicating such success in 2024 may present challenges.
It’s uncommon for coaches to enter the SEC and immediately achieve 10-3 and 10-4 seasons in their first two years, complete with conference title game appearances, two bowl victories, and two top-20 College Football Playoff final rankings. Yet, Kelly has defied expectations.
A significant portion of this success can be attributed to Kelly’s activity in the transfer portal. In 2022, he recruited 15 transfer commits, contributing to the Tigers’ No. 3 ranking in the transfer portal class. Notably, one of these commits was Jayden Daniels, who went on to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy.
In the following year, LSU secured the No. 5 transfer portal class with 13 commits. Despite its high ranking, this class had some underperformers, particularly in the secondary positions. Therefore, there may be concerns regarding the Tigers’ recent transfer portal performance. In the most recent cycle, LSU landed the 42nd ranked transfer portal class with six incoming commits, including three three-star players and three four-stars, along with 17 outgoing transfers.
Among these six players, three are defensive backs. Kelly is optimistic about this year’s secondary players, particularly cornerback Jyaire Brown from Ohio State.
Reflecting on LSU’s 2023 season, despite finishing with a 10-4 record, the team struggled defensively, ranking poorly in total defense and scoring defense. To compete effectively in the expanded SEC conference in 2024, including the addition of Oklahoma and Texas, LSU will need to improve its defensive performance significantly.
While Brown’s statistics from Ohio State may not stand out, there is considerable potential for growth. Despite limited playing time in two seasons with the Buckeyes, Brown showcased glimpses of talent, primarily in his freshman year. As a transfer, Brown is rated as a three-star prospect and brings versatility to LSU’s defensive unit.
If Brown can stay healthy and fulfill his potential at Baton Rouge, he could emerge as a hidden gem for Kelly and LSU football through the transfer portal.
