Transfer portal update: More potential LSU targets enter the portal

Here are five big portal names LSU fans should know

After the transfer portal opened on Monday, names continued to flood the market. LSU football is already active, setting up visits with several top prospects.

LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] signaled an aggressive approach from the Tigers, and while dominoes are yet to fall, LSU is setting up for a massive portal haul.

Things are moving fast, and more names are entering than the average fan has time to keep up with. We’ll take some time to update you on recent entries that make sense for LSU.

These are prospects at positions of need for LSU, whether the Tigers are looking to add a star or just build depth.

LSU’s roster has quite a few holes, especially with most of the 2023 signing class not working out. Ideally, those prospects would be entering their junior years ready for central roles at LSU, but only a handful of 2023 signees remain with the Tigers. LSU needs to add proven veterans to make up for that.

Here are some transfer portal names to know as of Thursday.

Ben Bell, Defensive End — Texas State

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Per the On3 Industry Rankings, Bell is the top defender available.

He only played four games with the Bobcats in 2024 in hopes of getting another year to transfer up. But in those four games, Bell posted 23 pressures and four sacks. Last year, Bell had 53 pressures.

It’s rare to see a player on the transfer market with 123 pressures and 20 sacks in his career, but Bell is a proven producer.

Xavier Chaplin, Tackle — Virginia Tech

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LSU is losing at least three offensive linemen to the NFL this year. If [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] declares, that total grows to four.

LSU needs portal addition across the board on the offensive line. The Tigers need guys that can start and depth pieces. Chaplin is the former. According to On3, he’s the No. 6 ranked transfer.

He’s 6’7′ with two years of starting experience at left tackle. He’s a good run blocker, and that’s something LSU needs after struggling to get a push on the ground in 2024.

Tacario Davis, Cornerback — Arizona

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Davis is one of the top names in the transfer portal. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, he’s the No. 7 overall available prospect.

LSU is losing [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] to the NFL. Davis would make a fine replacement.

Alexander had the size to cover SEC wide receivers man-to-man. Davis has the same ability at 6’3′. LSU needs corners it can trust on an island in Blake Baker’s defense — Tacario Davis is just that.

Josh Moten, Cornerback — Marshall

The Columbus Dispatch

He played in the Sun Belt, but Moten was one of the top cornerbacks in the country in 2024. Per PFF, the only CB with a better coverage grade than Moten was Heisman trophy favorite Travis Hunter.

LSU’s secondary is still young. It’s talented but young. LSU needs to go out and land a veteran like Moten to pair with corners like [autotag]Ashton Stamps[/autotag] and [autotag]DJ Pickett.[/autotag]

Brice Pollock, Cornerback — Mississippi State

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Cornerback isn’t the highest priority for LSU, but if LSU can land a proven SEC starter, they’ll take it.

Mississippi State’s defense struggled in 2024, but Pollock wasn’t to blame. According to PFF, he posted a 75.8 defensive grade while playing 720 snaps for the Bulldogs. He recorded five pass breakups and posted an 81.2 passer rating when targeted.