Aaron Anderson – Syndication Server

Is LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton returning in 2025?

Is LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. expected to return in 2025?

This is roster movement season. Hundreds of players around the sport announce their intentions to enter the transfer portal, enter the NFL Draft, or return to school for another year.

We’ve heard decisions from several key LSU players. LT Will Campbell, RT Emery Jones, and TE Mason Taylor all declared for the draft. CJ Daniels entered the transfer portal. Starting QB Garrett Nussmeier decided to return to school for a fifth year.

One Tiger we’ve yet to hear from is wide receiver Chris Hilton.

Hilton just completed his redshirt junior year with the Tigers and has another season of eligibility remaining.

LSU had high hopes for Hilton in 2025. With [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr[/autotag]. off to the NFL, Hilton was supposed to replace that big play potential. Unfortunately, Hilton dealt with an injury for most of 2024 and struggled to settle back into the lineup.

Finally, in LSU’s regular-season finale win over Oklahoma, something clicked.

Nussmeier connected with Hilton for two deep touchdown shots. The big play threat LSU was seeking all year was there.

Hilton is yet to have a true full-time role with LSU, but there’s one waiting if he returns. LSU is losing [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and had to turn to the transfer portal to restock the receiver room.

Players like [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Barion Brown[/autotag] will come up big for LSU in the quick game and over the middle, but the Tigers need that burner that can take the top off a defense and make a play down the sideline.

That’s [autotag]Chris Hilton.[/autotag]

Tiger fans should expect clarity on Hilton’s future in the coming weeks, but LSU head coach Kelly has yet to reveal anything.

LSU Football secures commitment from elite transfer wide receiver

LSU landed a much needed player from the transfer portal on Tuesday

LSU football landed one of the top transfers in the country on Tuesday evening.

On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that former Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson chose the Tigers as his next team. The four-star portal prospect ranked No. 5 at his position and No. 10 overall.

Anderson recorded a breakout campaign in 2023 as he caught 38 passes for 789 yards and ten touchdowns, a school record for a freshman. He missed most of this season due to an upper quad injury.

The Katy, TX native drew a four-star rating, according to On3’s Industry Rankings, as part of the 2022 class. He ranked No. 33 out of Texas and No. 34 at his position. Though he originally committed to Oregon, Anderson flipped to the Sooners in November 2021.

LSU needed experience and skill in the receiver room due to NFL departures and an exodus to the portal. When healthy, Anderson brings exceptional physical skills and the ability to get vertical to make tough catches with his six-foot-four, 219-pound frame.

Head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] encouraged his staff to be aggressive in the portal, especially at positions of need. Securing Anderson’s commitment marks a major win for the Tigers as his skills complement the experience of [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and fellow transfer [autotag]Barion Brown.[/autotag]

He is the third wideout to choose LSU as his next school and has a lot of upside.

LSU signs dynamic former Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown

LSU continues to build its transfer class, signing dynamic Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown

LSU signed its third transfer of the season on Saturday, adding former Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown. Reports labeled LSU as the favorite, and the Tigers managed to seal the deal.

With Brown, LSU is getting a speedster who can make plays with the ball in his hands. He’s the SEC record-holder with five kickoffs returned for a touchdown.

In his career with Kentucky, Brown caught 122 passes, racked up 1,528 total yards, and scored 11 touchdowns.

Despite the Wildcat offense struggling and being downright dysfunctional at times, Brown averaged 1.89 yards per route run in 2024. Brown has 800 yards after the catch in his career. He can line up in the slot and on the outside and has some contested catch ability, too.

Wide receiver was a major position of need for LSU. Kyren Lacy is off to the NFL, and CJ Daniels hit the transfer portal. LSU is also losing the reliable hands of Mason Taylor at tight end, with Taylor heading to the next level.

LSU has a chance to return [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr[/autotag], but the Tigers need outside help, too. The addition of Brown helps fill that need.

According to On3, Brown is a four-star transfer and the No. 5 ranked receiver in the transfer class.

One of three transfers already in LSU’s 2025 class, Brown is joined by tight end Bauer Sharp and cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson.

Could Alabama transfer wide receiver and top 100 recruit fit at LSU?

Could Alabama receiver and former Louisiana high school star be a fit at LSU?

Another SEC wide receiver is expected to enter the transfer portal. Could his LSU connections bring him to Baton Rouge?

According to On3, Alabama’s Kendrick Law will search for a new team when the portal opens on Monday. A former top-100 recruit, Law will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Though he opted to stay with the Crimson Tide after former head coach Nick Saban’s retirement, Law didn’t put together a breakout year. Law’s numbers over three seasons in Tuscaloosa sit at 33 receptions for 343 yards across 32 games.

In 2024, Law caught 10 passes for 105 yards while also complying 30 rushing yards. He also returned five kicks for 131 yards. The wide receiver dealt with a lower-body injury sustained in week five.

A member of the 2022 recruiting class, Law picked Alabama over Florida State, Texas, and LSU. He was the No. 91 overall recruit in the class and a top 10 player in Louisiana.

The Tigers may show interest in the Shreveport, LA native based on their need at the position with Kyren Lacy turning pro and three receivers entering the portal.

Another wide receiver from Law’s class, Louisiana native [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], played one season with Alabama before transferring to his home state school. Head coach Brian Kelly hinted at an aggressive approach to recruiting in the transfer portal this offseason and targeting Law makes sense given the roster needs and his collegiate experience.

Could Kentucky transfer wide receiver Barion Brown fit at LSU?

Could this Kentucky wide receiver transfer be a fit for LSU’s offense?

LSU lost three wide receivers to the transfer portal in the week following the regular season making the position a prime need for LSU this cycle.

Tigers’ head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] hinted at an aggressive approach with the transfer portal in 2025 and wideouts will be a top priority.

One potential fit is receiver Barion Brown. He announced his intention to enter the portal following a three-year campaign at Kentucky where he totaled 2,407 all-purpose yards.

In Brown’s freshman and sophomore seasons, he totaled 628 and 539 receiving yards, respectively. His production decreased in 2024 as he hauled in 29 catches for 361 yards along with 13 carries for 50 yards. The versatile playmaker is looking to be a high-level contributor at his next school.

In addition to LSU. Ole Miss and Texas A&M are expected to target the Nashville, TN native once he hits the portal. Following Vanderbilt’s breakout season, don’t be surprised if the Commodores show interest.

LSU’s 2025 outlook at receiver is unclear. [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] is expected to return but Chris Hilton’s status remains a mystery. Outside of those two, the Tigers lack experienced options.

With [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] off to the NFL and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] in the portal, a significant chunk of production is being lost.

Given Kelly’s comments regarding the transfer portal approach combined with LSU’s own losses, Brown makes perfect sense as an early target for the Tigers.

Why LSU should target former NC State receiver in transfer portal

Names are already flooding the transfer portal. Should LSU target a former NC State receiver?

Transfer portal season is about to kick into high gear. With LSU football out of the playoff discussion, the Tigers can turn their attention to building for 2025.

LSU wasn’t aggressive in the portal last year, but Tigers’ head coach Brian Kelly told fans to expect a different approach this year. LSU is going to be active in the portal.

The portal officially opens next week, but a handful of players already announced their intention to transfer.

That list includes NC State wide receiver Kevin Concepcion.

Concepcion broke out as a true freshman in 2023 with the Wolfpack. His 845 yards and 10 touchdowns were some of the best marks in the country among underclassmen receivers.

He returned with high hopes in 2024. but the entire NC State offense struggled, including Concepcion.

Concepcion caught 53 passes for 460 yards in 2024. His yards per catch was down an entire three yards and his catch rate was down 8%.

But NC State saw a lack of production across the board and the talent is still evident.

LSU is losing receiver [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] but may return [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Aaron Anderson.[/autotag] The Tigers could use a true X receiver and Concepcion fits that mold.

I’d expect LSU to target a receiver if the fit makes sense and it does here.

5 stats that defined LSU’s loss at Texas A&M in Week 9

These five stats defined LSU’s loss at Texas A&M.

LSU’s second half did not go to plan in College Station on Saturday night. Texas A&M turned to dual-threat QB Marcel Reed and the LSU defense had no response.

On the other side of the ball, LSU’s failure to run the ball put too much on the passing game and QB [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] made a series of mistakes that let the game get away from LSU.

LSU was a slight underdog and playing on the road in the SEC is never easy, but A&M flat-out beat LSU in the second half. ESPN play-by-play man Chris Fowler called it a Texas A&M avalanche. It’s hard to find a better way to describe it.

Texas A&M looked like a playoff team over the final two quarters while LSU looked like a team unprepared for the moment. Mistakes in all phases of the game cost LSU on Saturday night. Anything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

Here are five stats that defined LSU’s loss.

LSU’s 1.9 yards per carry

At first, that reads like a typo. LSU averaged 1.9 yards per carry — not what’s expected from an SEC team with future NFL linemen and blue-chip running backs.

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] ran it 11 times for 15 yards while Josh Williams got seven carries for 23 yards. Together, they combined for a -8.33 EPA on the ground.

LSU’s offensive line couldn’t get any push or create space. Durham and Williams were constantly met by Texas A&M defenders at the line of scrimmage.

Just 19% of LSU’s runs went for 4+ yards. A&M’s mark was at 60%.

“We spent a lot of time on our run game. We should be better there,” [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said.

Garrett Nussmeier: Three interceptions

After Week 9, [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] leads the SEC with nine picks on the year. We knew Nussmeier was a “gunslinger” who would put the ball in jeopardy at times, but three picks on Saturday allowed the game to unravel for LSU.

Throwing three picks in a half isn’t a recipe for success. The turnovers came on LSU’s end of the field and set A&M up for a touchdown drive of eight yards and 26 yards. The third pick led to a field goal. Combined, A&M scored 17 points off the Nussmeier turnovers.

You could feel the momentum swing after the first interception. That’s where the game was lost for LSU. The Tigers weren’t able to settle down after that and the floodgates opened.

LSU special teams: -5.02 EPA

LSU’s field goal unit struggled on Saturday. A poor hold led to [autotag]Damian Ramos[/autotag] missing a field goal late in the first quarter. In the second, LSU missed another one.

Long snapper [autotag]Slade Roy[/autotag] and holder [autotag]Peyton Todd[/autotag] weren’t on the same page and it led to a bungled snap in the third quarter. That’s nine points left on the board.

With the way A&M controlled the game in the second half, it’s hard to say the nine points were the difference, but the second half looks different if LSU is playing with a bigger lead.

When you send the field goal unit out there three times, you don’t want to come away empty on all three attempts.

LSU’s EPA without explosive plays: -36.29

LSU’s offense had a few explosive plays on Saturday night, including a 76-yard catch and run from [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and some third-down conversions to [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag].

Outside of that, LSU struggled to get anything going on offense. Without the explosive plays, LSU’s EPA was -36.29. LSU’s worst mark of the year.

With the run game not providing anything, it was hard to establish down-to-down consistency. That allowed A&M to tee up blitzes on Nussmeier and showcase some disguised coverages.

Nussmeier was feeling the pressure and knew the only way LSU could score was a big play through the air. Kelly said LSU is putting too much on its quarterback and that was evident on Saturday.

Mason Taylor and Kyren Lacy: 8 catches on 16 targets

This stat may feel a little nitpicky, but LSU only completed half of its targets to its most reliable receivers.

LSU turns to Taylor and Lacy when it needs a conversion — they’re Nussmeier’s go-to guys.

This is related to LSU’s lack of down-to-down efficiency. Part of LSU becoming a better situational football team means consistently completing passes to the dependable pass catchers.

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Stock Up, Stock Down: A tale of 2 halves as LSU falls at Texas A&M

What looked like it could be a statement win for the Tigers turned into a disaster in the second half.

LSU took a trip to College Station, Texas, to take on the Texas A&M Aggies and their new head coach, Mike Elko. In the first half, LSU was on fire. They took a 17-7 lead into the break.

Unfortunately, that lead would not last. In the second half, LSU was outscored 31-6 as Nussmeier threw three interceptions and a new quarterback for A&M was unstoppable. Elko subbed in Marcel Reed in the second half for the Aggies and they scored on every drive he had. It was a rough loss for LSU as it suffered its first conference loss.

Let’s look at who saw their stock rise and who saw their stock fall in the Tigers’ loss to Texas A&M in Week 9.

Stock Down: Garrett Nussmeier

[autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] picked a bad night to have his worst game of the season. Nussmeier looked great in the first half but in the second half, he got bullied by the Aggies defense. He finished the night with three interceptions, the most interceptions he has thrown in a single game in his career.

Stock Up: Aaron Anderson

[autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] had another big game as he finished the night with three receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. He led the Tigers in receiving yards with [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] right behind him.

Stock Down: Special Teams

[autotag]Damien Ramos[/autotag] had a rough night in College Station. He made his first field goal but he missed his last two field goal attempts as he doinked the first one and just missed the second one.

Stock Down: Abhorrent second half

After taking a 17-7 lead before halftime, LSU was outscored 31-6 in the second half. Nussmeier threw three interceptions and the defense had no answer for Marcel Reed. Every drive Reed started ended in points.

Stock Down: Running game

I have been harping on the LSU run game for two years in a row and I will continue to do it. Texas A&M outgained LSU on the ground 242-24. LSU finished the game with only 24 rushing yards. How do you plan on opening up the passing game if the other team does not have to respect your run game?

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Instant Analysis: LSU collapses in second half, suffers first SEC loss against Texas A&M

It was a tale of two halves for the Tigers in Saturday night’s frustrating loss to Texas A&M.

It was a tale of two halves for LSU on Saturday night against Texas A&M.

The Tigers dominated the first half and looked like they were on the way to a statement win on the road. But TAMU completely reversed the script in the second half, outscoring them 31-6 as it ultimately pulled away to win 38-23 and hand coach Brian Kelly’s team its first SEC loss as well as a severe blow to its College Football Playoff hopes.

LSU captured the early momentum on the road, taking a 3-0 lead before a fumble from star Aggies running back Le’Veon Moss deep in their own territory set it up with excellent field position. The Tigers’ offense cashed in with an excellent throw and catch from [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] to [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] to extend the lead to 10-0.

However, Texas A&M responded with an impressive drive to get on the board as Moss made up for the fumble with a touchdown to get on the board.

LSU had a chance to push its lead back up to 10, but a dropped touchdown from [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], who mistimed his attempt to high-point a ball in the endzone in his first target of the season, brought out the field goal unit. From 48 yards out, [autotag]Damian Ramos[/autotag] missed just to the right as the Tigers wasted a scoring opportunity.

However, they wouldn’t waste their next possession. After starting at the 10, Nussmeier found [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] on a quick slant, and he did the rest as he hit a gap and found paydirt 75 yards later, outrunning the entire Aggie secondary.

LSU had the momentum entering the second half but missed some opportunities. Ramos missed another long field goal before halftime, and early in the third quarter, [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] threw an ugly interception to set the Aggies up with excellent field position.

After a 6 of 18 start for Conner Weigman, Mike Elko opted for a quarterback change to the more mobile Marcel Reed, and they quickly capitalized and cut the deficit to three. LSU had a chance to answer on the ensuing drive, but more special teams mishaps cost it as an early snap ruined the timing on Ramos’ kick, which couldn’t even be attempted.

TAMU responded with a quick touchdown drive led and capped off by Reed, giving it its first lead of the game. Things went from bad to worse as Nussmeier, who was excellent in the first half, tossed his second interception to give the Aggies great field position again. Though a penalty took a touchdown off the board, Texas A&M ultimately found the end zone to extend the lead to 11.

With their backs against the wall, the Tigers had to respond. Nussmeier made a few gutsy throws to lead them down the field, and after a touchdown pass to [autotag]Trey’Dez Green[/autotag] was ruled short at the one, Nussmeier did it himself on a sneak to cut the deficit back to one score. However, the two-point conversion attempt to cut it to three was no good, and LSU still faced a five-point deficit.

However, it ultimately didn’t matter. Once Reed entered the game, the Tiger defense couldn’t get off the field. On the following drive, Reed connected with Noah Thomas for a 54-yard gain, and Moss quickly scored again to push the lead to 12, the biggest lead of the game to that point for either team.

The offense got the ball back, but a well-read check down was intercepted, Nussmeier’s third of the game, and while Texas A&M couldn’t quite deliver the dagger, it hit a field goal to push the lead to 15 and make things difficult for the Tigers.

LSU turned the ball over on downs, officially ending any hope of a comeback. After dominating the first half, Nussmeier was just 11 of 24 in the second along with his three turnovers. He was also sacked twice and faced the most pressure he has all season, though he still managed 405 yards on 50 attempts with 50% completion.

Nussmeier had to lead the way on offense as there was no ground game to speak of. LSU totaled just 24 yards on 23 carries.

Defensively, it was a disastrous second half. The Tigers allowed 229 yards in the final two quarters and 376 overall. The Aggies ran for 242 yards and five touchdowns, with Reed accounting for 62 of those yards and three of those touchdowns.

It’s an ugly loss for an LSU team that seemed to have turned the corner in recent weeks. Now, it will have the week off to refocus before hosting Alabama in what has become a must-win game.

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Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Former LSU receivers continue to dominate the NFL

LSU continues to earn the title of WRU early in 2024.

For years, LSU was known as “DBU.”

The Tigers were synonymous with sending star defensive backs to the NFL. In recent years, former LSU defensive backs have continued to produce, but LSU has claimed the mantle at another position — wide receiver.

Three of the NFL’s six leading receivers are LSU products. [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] leads the NFL with 620 yards. [autotag]Justin Jefferson[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] rank fifth and sixth with 531 and 513 yards, respectively.

Further down the leaderboard, [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] ranks 14th with 427 yards. He sits eight in catches, despite only playing five games and getting rough quarterback play.

LSU put receivers in the NFL throughout the 2000s and 2010s. [autotag]Dwayne Bowe[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon LaFell[/autotag] eventually gave way to [autotag]Odell Beckham Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Jarvis Landry[/autotag]. But the group in the league now is deeper and more talented.

Its a young group too, and its set up to lead the NFL for some time. Thomas and Nabers are rookies while Chase and Jefferson are just getting around to their second contracts.

Ohio State has a claim to “WRU” too with Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Marvin Harrison Jr. in the league. But that core doesn’t stack up with LSU’s at the moment.

LSU has another promising group of receivers on campus now. [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] both rank in the top 10 in the SEC in receiving yards and will aim to be LSU’s next difference makers at the next level.

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