LSU lands two big commitments from the transfer portal

Brian Kelly’s team grabbed a big name on offense and defense on Friday with two big names from the transfer portal committing to LSU.

LSU scored two big transfer portal commitments on Friday when former Mississippi State wide receiver Zavion Thomas and former Texas A&M safety Jardin Gilbert committed to the Tigers just a few hours apart from each other. On3’s Hayes Fawcett first reported both announcements.

Thomas, who was named to the FWAA 2022 Freshman All-American team as a punt returner, appeared in 22 games for the Bulldogs. He caught 40 passes for 503 yards in 2023, the second-most on the team in both categories. His best game of the season came against Auburn when he scored his lone touchdown of the season among his 112 yards on nine receptions.

As his most prestigious accolade would suggest, Thomas’ most impressive work as a freshman came as the Bulldogs’ return man. He racked up 365 punt return yards over the last two seasons, averaging 12.6 yards per return. He highlighted his impressive 2022 campaign with a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half against Georgia.

Thomas will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Gilbert played three seasons with the Aggies. His most prolific season came in 2022 when he tallied a career-high 61 total tackles and both of his career interceptions.

The 6-foot-1 safety made five tackles in the first two games of the 2023 season before a shoulder injury cut his time in College Station short. He will also have two years of eligibility left.

Thomas and Gilbert are both Louisiana natives. Gilbert brought up how getting to play in his home state influenced his decision in Fawcett’s report.

“Why would I do it anywhere other than to come home where I belong?” Gilbert said.

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