Tag: Gabe Reliford

LSU transfer portal: Are Tigers a fit for former Florida State EDGE?

Could this former Florida State defensive end be a fit for LSU?

LSU football already made some noise in the transfer portal, bolstering its defense. But could the Tigers add another piece to its front seven?

Patrick Payton ranks as the No. 3 edge rusher and No. 19 prospect in the transfer portal, according to On3’s Industry Rankings. Initial reporting points to LSU as a potential landing place for the former Florida State defender.

Through three seasons with the Seminoles, Payton posted 109 total tackles and 16 sacks. He’s a proven contributor, creating havoc with pass deflections and a few forced fumbles to his name.

LSU secured commitments from two defensive end transfers in, Jimari Butler from Nebraska and Jack Pyburn from Florida. Adding another proven playmaker in Payton would further bolster the Tigers’ depth in the trenches, especially considering what they lost following the 2024 regular season.

Starters Bradyn Swinson and Sai’Vion Jones declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, while Da’Shawn Womack transferred to Ole Miss.

A unit that was hurting for experience, the defensive end room was a main focus for LSU’s recruiting class.

Along with the transfer additions, LSU is set to return freshman [autotag]Gabe Reliford[/autotag], who saw immediate action in year one with the Tigers.

Head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] emphasized an aggressive approach in the portal, which has been delivered so far. Securing a commitment from Payton would line up with that strategy.

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.

5 takeaways from LSU’s Week 5 win over South Alabama

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama.

LSU took care of business on Saturday night, beating South Alabama 42-10 to cover a 20.5-point spread and move to 4-1 on the year.

It was LSU’s final nonconference contest of 2024. The Tigers went 3-1 in those games with the only loss coming in the opener to USC.

Thanks to LSU scheduling USC and UCLA, this was just LSU’s second game vs. a school not in the Power Four. LSU didn’t play up to standard in its first such game, playing with its food against Nicholls. LSU didn’t do that on Saturday night, coming out strong and starting fast.

The emphatic win should ease some concerns heading into the bye week. For the first time all year, LSU played a complete game. The Tigers were explosive and efficient on offense and allowed just 10 points on defense. That’s what you want to see.

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama before LSU’s season heats up coming out of the bye.

Caden Durham is a rising star

LSU has something special in [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag]. The true freshman looked the part and wasted no time making his mark on Saturday.

On LSU’s first play from scrimmage, Durham took a 71-yard swing pass to the house. On the next drive, Durham opened with an 86-yard burst that set LSU up at the one.

That was 157 yards on two plays to start the game for Durham. Pretty good.

Durham showcases a rare blend of speed and power at running back. He was a track star in high school and the wheels show up every time he finds a crease. Durham is ahead of schedule and that could be big for LSU with conference play heating up.

LSU stopped the run

There were concerns about LSU’s ability to slow South Alabama on the ground. The Jaguar rushing attack was among the most efficient in the nation entering week five and a few have found success running the ball on LSU.

But the LSU defense came to play. South Alabama ran it 33 times for 3.2 yards per carry. South Alabama’s EPA/rush of -0.22 put the Jags in the 15th percentile.

According to GameOnPaper.com, LSU didn’t allow a single explosive run.

LSU linebacker Greg Penn led the way. According to PFF, he notched 11 tackles, ranking first among SEC LBs in week five.

Garrett Nussmeier was prolific

Garrett Nussmeier racked up 409 yards in the win — a career-high for the redshirt junior and his first time surpassing the 400-yard mark. With 1,652 passing yards, Nussmeier sits second in the SEC. He leads the league in passing touchdowns with 15.

Nussmeier was expected to put up big numbers against a middling South Alabama defense and he did just that.

He threw two picks, but it’s hard to find much else wrong with this performance. Nussmeier finished 26 of 39 with 409 yards and two scores.

LSU front seven gets busy

LSU racked up three more sacks on Saturday, continuing a red-hot stretch for the front seven.

[autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] led the way with six pressures while [autotag]Gabe Reliford[/autotag], [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag], [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag] all had three.

LSU’s defense isn’t perfect, but this group has proven it can put pressure on the quarterback. They’ll need to develop some key plays once LSU gets deep into SEC play.

LSU plays a complete game

All year, we’ve been waiting for LSU to put the package together. No matter the opponent, level, or conference, LSU needed it to show it could string four consistent quarters together on both sides of the ball.

Saturday was the most dominant LSU’s looked all year. The Tigers raced to 21 points in the first quarter and added 14 more in the second. That gave LSU a 35-3 lead at halftime.

The foot came off the gas a little in the second half, but the damage was already done.

LSU finished with 667 yards on the day — 430 through the air and 237 on the ground.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.