Bradyn Swinson – Syndication Server

LSU adds to transfer portal class with veteran Nebraska pass rusher

LSU added another defender in the portal, securing a commitment from DE Jimari Butler

LSU football was busy in the transfer portal on Saturday, securing three commitments from Power Four transfers. The third commitment came from Nebraska defensive end Jimari Butler. On3’s Hayes Fawcett broke the news on social media.

Butler is the first front-seven addition for LSU this transfer season. Defensive end is a position of need with [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] moving on to the NFL and [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] transferring to Ole Miss.

Butler, who has one year of eligibility remaining, chose LSU over Florida State and Texas A&M.

According to PFF, Butler notched 22 pressures in 2024, ranking 26th among Big Ten edge defenders. In his time with the Huskers, he notched nine sacks and 33 stops.

Butler brings a much-needed veteran presence to LSU’s defensive line. The Tigers aren’t done in the portal, but he has a chance to earn a starting spot next to Gabe Reliford, who’s coming off an impressive freshman campaign.

LSU’s busy day began with former Florida cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson signing on Saturday morning before former Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown put pen to paper on Saturday afternoon.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly said the Tigers would be aggressive in the transfer portal. Actions have reflected that so far.

Why LSU makes sense for five-star transfer Williams Nwaneri

Williams Nwaneri was one of the top recruits in 2024. Here’s why a transfer to LSU makes sense.

A big name hit the portal on Tuesday — Missouri EDGE Williams Nwaneri hopped in.

Nwaneri was one of the top prospects in the 2024 recruiting class. According to 247Sports, he was the No. 6 overall recruit in the class and No. 2 at his position. He signed with Missouri, where he was recruited by current LSU coaches [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] and Kevin Peoples.

Given LSU’s need at defensive end, along with Nwaneri’s ties to Baker and Peoples, LSU makes sense.

Nwaneri didn’t see the field much as a true freshman. He played in just four games and never saw more than ten defensive snaps in conference play. Most of his action came against UMass and Murray State. In 38 snaps, Nwaneri registered two pressures, a sack, and a stop.

It’s rare for a talent of Nwaneri’s caliber to hit the portal, especially with several years of eligibility remaining. That’s something LSU needs to prioritize, especially with all the exits from the 2023 recruiting class.

If LSU can land Nwaneri, it gains a talented player at a major position of need. People’s tracked record speaks for itself when it comes to developing pass rushers. Even if Nwaneri is more of a project than once thought, LSU could be the right situation for a breakout.

With [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] moving on to the NFL and [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] in the transfer portal, LSU needs an influx of talent at EDGE.

LSU will host Purdue DE Will Heldt on a visit and has expressed interest in Kent State’s Kameron Olds.

LSU getting visit from one one of the portal’s top transfers

One of the top available transfers is showing interest in LSU

LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said the Tigers plan to be aggressive in the transfer portal. That wasn’t the case last year, but LSU is off to a good start this cycle, earning a visit from one of the top names in the portal.

Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt is set to visit LSU, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Defensive end is a big need for LSU. [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] are moving on to the NFL, and LSU lost former five-star Dashawn Womack to the transfer portal.

According to On3, Heldt is the No. 22 ranked transfer on the market. As a sophomore, Heldt racked up 26 pressures and six sacks. 2024 was a breakout year, and Heldt has the size to play in the SEC.

Thamel’s report says Heldt is planning to visit Texas A&M, too. Last year, the Aggies made a big portal splash, landing Nic Scourton — another Purdue edge defender.

LSU will look to seal the deal with Heldt and hope his impact is similar to the one Scourton made in College Station.

To stay updated with our full LSU transfer tracker, click here.

What does Da’Shawn Womack’s transfer mean for LSU

Where does LSU’s DE room stand after Womack’s transfer?

LSU DE Da’Shawn Womack announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. Womack was a five-star recruit in 2023 and served as a rotational piece for two years in Baton Rouge.

Womack’s talent is clear. While he was yet to become a major contributor, he had all the tools.

Womack isn’t the only defensive end LSU is losing. The Tigers are losing seniors [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] to the NFL, both starters. [autotag]Paris Shand[/autotag], a versatile lineman who played on the interior and the edge, is also graduating.

As it stands, [autotag]Gabe Reliford[/autotag] is the only LSU DE slated to return who played 50+ snaps in 2024.

That leaves LSU with a big hole to fill on the edge. Not just when it comes to depth, but at the starting level.

Reliford will be a breakout candidate in 2025. His seven pressures ranked fourth among true freshman pass rushers in the SEC this year.

LSU will add one DE in its high school signing class — four-star Damien Shanklin. The Tigers will need Shanklin to make an immediate impact. Last year, LSU signed four-star CJ Jackson out of high school. LSU will count on his development, too.

But LSU will have to hit the portal hard. Brian Kelly said LSU plans to be aggressive on the transfer market and I’d expect a handful of those resources to be spent on 2-3 defensive ends.

The portal won’t be overflowing with elite defensive ends, but it’s a position where you can find impact transfers. Texas A&M did it with Nic Scourton, South Carolina with Kyle Kennard.

LSU needs to find this year’s version of Scourton and Kennard.

Portal Update: LSU DE Da’Shawn Womack planning to transfer

Five-star LSU DE Da’Shawn Womack is hitting the transfer portal

The transfer portal news continues out of LSU where defensive end [autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] is the latest Tiger to hit the transfer portal.

Womack was a five-star recruit in the class of 2023. Womack didn’t take long to enter the rotation as a true freshman. He finished with eight pressures and two sacks in 79 snaps last year.

In 2024, Womack took a step forward but didn’t start with [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] holding down the starting edge spots. Womack totaled 13 pressures and two sacks in 100 snaps this year.

Womack’s talent is undeniable. When he’s on the field, he has all the tools of a future first-round pick. LSU doesn’t want to lose a guy like this, especially with Womack preparing to enter his junior year. If Womack puts it all together, he’s going to be a serious player.

LSU was deep at the defensive end this year, thanks to guys like Womack providing depth. Swinson and Jones are off to the NFL now while Womack looks for another home.

It’s a clear position of need for LSU as we enter the transfer season.

Chiefs scouting report: LSU Tigers DE Bradyn Swinson

LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson would be an excellent addition for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

According to Pro Football Focus, Chris Jones is the only Kansas City Chiefs defender averaging four quarterback pressures per game this season. General Manager Brett Veach needs to pursue a new pass-rushing option in the 2025 NFL draft to take some pressure off Jones and win more plays off the edge.

LSU Tigers defensive lineman Bradyn Swinson is an electrifying pass rusher who operates best in two-point stances on the edge. His burst off the line makes him a significant threat as a speed rusher, and his long arms help him convert speed to power or deploy counters to attack the B-gap.

Swinson’s accurate hand placement grants him easy access to the offensive tackle’s chest. He doesn’t have a thick frame but generates a surprising amount of knockback with his heavy hands and powerful arm extensions. That knockback opens the B-gap or drives the offensive tackle into the pocket.

Swinson wins through the B-gap with swipe and swim counters and through the offensive tackle’s frame with speed to power. He also wins on the outside track with his explosiveness and bend. Swinson lacks elite bend but is flexible enough to get low and flatten his rush angle.

Against South Carolina earlier this year, LSU gave Swinson some snaps walked down in the A-gap like a blitzing linebacker. The Gamecocks didn’t have athletic enough interior players to handle his attacks. Creative defensive coordinators use this type of defensive alignment manipulation in the NFL, and Swinson has all the traits to fill the role.

Swinson uses his long arms to stack and shed blocks in the run game and possesses the burst to make plays as a backside run defender. However, his primary value comes from his pass rush. He’s applying pressure on 17% of his pass rush reps this season and enters Week 8 half a sack behind South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard for the SEC lead.

After a three-game homestand, the Tigers will travel to face Arkansas on October 19 at 6:00 p.m. CST. The Razorbacks were idle this past Saturday and are two weeks removed from upsetting the Tennessee Volunteers.

Bradyn Swinson said he didn’t know play call ahead of crucial fourth down stop against Ole Miss

Bradyn Swinson didn’t know the play call ahead of Ole Miss’ first quarter fourth-down try, but that didn’t stop him from making the stop.

Early in Saturday’s win over Ole Miss, LSU’s defense came up with a tremendous stop that ultimately proved to be monumental in a game that went to overtime.

With the Rebels driving late in the first quarter on their third drive of the game after missing a field goal on the previous possession, they found themselves in scoring range again. But on fourth and one from the four-yard line, LSU’s [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] came up with what he called the biggest play of his career.

He sniffed out a direct snap to running back Henry Parrish Jr., stopping the play in the backfield to hold Ole Miss scoreless. Even more impressively, Swinson said on Wednesday that he never actually heard the play call before his stop.

“Didn’t get the call, but you’ve just got to check ‘whoop ass’ sometimes and go get the ball,” Swinson said.

Swinson has been a breakout star for the Tigers this season. The Oregon transfer played only a rotational role for LSU last season, but he’s been very impactful this fall and already has seven sacks through six games, five more than he totaled in 2023.

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3 LSU players earn weekly honors from SEC after big-time win over Ole Miss

Three LSU players received weekly SEC awards, including Offensive Player of the Week Garrett Nussmeier.

In the biggest game of the week on the SEC schedule in Week 7, LSU emerged victorious over Ole Miss.

It wasn’t a perfect game for the Tigers, who battled offensive inefficiency all night and never led until the final whistle. But they hung around to get the game to overtime, and after giving up a field goal, [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] ended the game with a touchdown pass to [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag].

As a result, Tigers players headline the SEC Players of the Week. In total, three LSU stars were honored.

Nussmeier has been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns. He had a pair of interceptions and completed just 22 of 51 passes, but he made the big plays when it mattered late in the game.

Meanwhile, [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] is the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after totaling a career-high 18 tackles, two of which were for loss, and a sack. [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] is the Defensive Lineman of the Week totaling eight tackles (also a career-high for him) with 2.5 for loss and a pair of sacks.

The Tigers are continuing to improve and now find themselves back in the College Football Playoff race. They’ll look to keep things rolling when they travel to face Arkansas in Week 8 on Saturday night.

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5 takeaways from LSU’s overtime win over Ole Miss

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s thrilling win over Ole Miss.

LSU didn’t run a single play with the lead on Saturday night, but the Tigers led when it mattered the most — after the final play.

Down three, needing a touchdown to win, QB [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] found [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] in the endzone to upset No. 9 Ole Miss in front of a packed Tiger Stadium crowd.

LSU needed this win. A season-opening loss to USC trimmed the margin for error, but with this victory, LSU adds a signature win to its resume.

As for Ole Miss, it was the Rebels’ second loss of the year. Lane Kiffin’s group will most likely have to be perfect from here on out to remain in the playoff discussion.

LSU is right back in the thick of the national picture as SEC play heats up. The Tigers will play back-to-back road games at Arkansas and Texas A&M. Both will be tests, but LSU proved it is ready to compete on the big stage with Saturday’s win.

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s 29-26 overtime victory.

Garrett Nussmeier makes the play when it matters

[autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] didn’t play his best football on Saturday night, but he made the plays when it mattered the most. With regulation winding down, Nussmeier delivered a strike to [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] to tie the game. On the first play of overtime, Nussmeier found Lacy for six.

Nussmeier was just 22/51 on the night, but when you look back at this performance, you’re going to remember the throws to Anderson and Lacy.

Equally important, was a throw to [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] on fourth down to keep LSU alive on the final drive in the fourth.

LSU got resiliency from its senior quarterback on Saturday night.

Defense delivers

LSU opened its checkbook to land defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag]. The reasons why were evident on Saturday night.

Even as the offense got off to a slow start, the defense got the necessary stops. Ole Miss’ success rate on the night was just 37%, putting the Rebels in the 30th percentile.

LSU struggled on third down, but that’s about the only complaint. LSU was aggressive and made life hard on the ground and through the air. The unit made the necessary adjustments throughout the night to come up with stops in the fourth quarter.

The secondary played well and LSU’s young corners made plays in man coverage. That’s what LSU needs if it’s going to reach the playoff.

LSU’s run game is still an issue

LSU didn’t get much from its run game. The Tigers averaged -0.25 EPA/rush, far below an acceptable mark. 50% of LSU’s runs were stopped for two yards or less and that led to trouble on later downs.

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] carried it 12 times for 37 yards and [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] ran it nine times for 34 yards. Both backs didn’t get much help from the offensive line as Ole Miss did a good job of plugging the holes.

We knew Ole Miss had a strong defensive front entering the night, but LSU looked outmatched when it tried to run the ball. That’s not a good sign with the defenses LSU has on deck.

LSU defense creates havoc

LSU got the big plays it needed from its defense. On the night, LSU generated 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.

[autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] were active all night, getting pressure on Jaxson Dart and getting runs stops near or behind the line of scrimmage.

LSU knew it needed to keep Ole Miss off schedule to have a chance in this one. The big plays from the front seven prevented Kiffin’s offense from establishing a consistent rhythm.

LSU is back in the playoff race

LSU took a back seat in the playoff discussion these last few weeks, but a win over a top-10 opponent should move the needle.

It’s a long season, but this game had major playoff implications no matter the winner. LSU remains in control of its own destiny with the win while Ole Miss will need some help.

This win buys back some room for error for LSU. The Tigers can lose one down the stretch and still make the playoff at 10-2.

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Stock Up, Stock Down: LSU beats Ole Miss in overtime classic

Let’s look at who saw their stock rise and who saw their stock fall in the win over the Rebels.

LSU welcomed Ole Miss into Baton Rouge for one of the biggest games of the season. The No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels were looking to remain in the top 10 and deep in the hunt for a college football playoff spot. To do that, they would have to beat No. 13 LSU under the lights of Tiger Stadium.

The Rebels led this game from the start of the second quarter until Aaron Anderson caught a touchdown pass to tie it with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter. That led to this game going to overtime. In overtime, the Rebels got the ball first and were backed up to 4th and 25. Ole Miss hit a 57-yard field goal to give them a 26-23 lead.

On the Tigers’ first play in overtime, [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] found [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] on a 25-yard touchdown pass to win the game 29-26.

Let’s look at who saw their stock rise and who saw their stock fall in this game.

Stock Up: Aaron Anderson

[autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] had another big game as he caught a touchdown pass late to tie the game at 23. He finished the night with three receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown against Ole Miss.

Stock Down: Run Game

Once again, LSU was unable to run the ball in a big game. The Tigers finished the night with 84 yards on 24 carries. That is an average of only 3.5 yards a carry. That will not get the job done in the biggest games. With the offensive line the Tigers have, they should be able to get over 100 yards on the ground.

Stock Up: Whit Weeks

(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

[autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] had the best game of his career against Ole Miss. He finished the night with a team-high 18 tackles. 10 of those tackles were solo. He was almost ejected from the game for targeting but after a review, the call was overturned.

Stock Down: Turnovers

SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The only downside I can see from this game is Nussmeier throwing two interceptions. Those two interceptions led to LSU losing the turnover battle against South Alabama. Again, it did not matter in the end, but it is something to improve on.

Stock Up: Sacks

LSU spent a lot of time in the backfield against Ole Miss. The Tigers ended the night with six total sacks compared to Ole Miss having zero. [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] led the way with two sacks of his own.

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