LSU transfer catcher announces commitment to rival SEC program

The talented catcher will be staying in the SEC next season.

One of the top catchers available in the transfer portal has made a decision as to where he will play next season, as LSU Tigers sophomore Brady Neal has officially committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

A former top prospect out of high school, Neal originally began his collegiate career in 2023 as LSU’s starting catcher as a true freshman, but saw action in only 26 games before missing the remainder of the year due to an injury. As a freshman, Neal slashed .209/.411/.388 with three HR and nine RBI for a LSU team that eventually went on to win the national championship.

This past season as a sophomore, Neal appeared in 44 games with the Tigers to slash .276/.408/.578 with nine HR and 31 RBI.

With those totals, Neal’s career stats while at LSU sat at a combined slash line of .251/.409/.508 with 12 HR and 40 RBI. Neal also held a combined K-BB ratio of 61-41, amassing at-least 20 walks drawn in each season.

Looking ahead, Neal will now enter 2025 as the favorite to start at catcher for Alabama, who was set to lose multi-year starter Mac Guscette this offseason.