The transfer portal officially opened on Monday, and the transfer season is in full swing. LSU football head coach Brian Kelly said the Tigers plan to take an aggressive approach. So far, LSU is living up to its word with several visits lined up.
LSU has a few positions of need. Defensive end and wide receiver are among the biggest, but LSU needs help at safety and offensive line, too.
With [autotag]Garrett Dellinger[/autotag] and [autotag]Miles Frazier[/autotag] moving on, LSU is losing its two veteran guards who have held down LSU’s interior offensive line since Kelly arrived.
LSU has replacements within the program, but even if the Tigers opt for their own prospects, they need to build depth. LSU needs offensive linemen from the portal.
Things are moving fast, so today, we’ll look at five offensive linemen LSU fans should know about. Some of these guys could come right in and compete to start, while others would serve as depth. Let’s jump right in.
Josh Thompson – Northwestern
Thompson is one of the best available linemen in the portal. He broke out with Northwestern in 2024, taking over the starting job at right guard.
He posted a PFF grade of 74.9, which ranked 12th among qualified Big Ten offensive linemen. Thompson didn’t allow a sack all year while playing some of the sport’s toughest competition.
Thompson has two years of eligibility remaining and would be able to start at LSU right away. This is the kind of difference maker LSU needs from the portal.
Patrick Kutas – Arkansas
Kutas missed the majority of 2024 with an injury, playing just four games late in the year and maintaining his redshirt.
After playing right tackle in 2023, Kutas played guard in 2024. That versatility, along with his SEC size and experience, make him one of the top linemen on the market.
LSU’s had some good luck with Arkansas transfers in the past. Could we see the Tigers turn to the well again?
LaJuan Owens – New Mexico
It’s a risk taking offensive linemen from the G5 level, but Owens may have the goods.
He’s a four-star transfer per On3 and weighs over 300 pounds. That gives him the size to play guard in the SEC. He’s originally from Texas and has several years of eligibility remaining.
Owens was a left tackle in 2024 but could follow a similar path to Miles Frazier, who started as a tackle on the G5 level before playing guard at LSU.
Tyler Mercer – North Texas
Mercer claimed the Mean Green’s starting center job in 2024 and didn’t look back. He posted an 80.0 pass block grade and didn’t allow a sack. On3 considers him a four-star transfer, which means something for linemen potentially jumping from the G5.
Mercer can play center and guard. Again, LSU can use that versatility, especially someone who can play center. Mercer has multiple years of eligibility remaining.
TJ Shanahan – Texas A&M
LSU was involved in Shanahan’s recruitment in high school, but A&M won out for the four-star prospect. Shanahan made five stars and appeared in nine games with the Aggies in 2024. He’ll be a redshirt sophomore in 2025, giving him multiple years of eligibility.
Coming out of high school, Rivals ranked Shanahan as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the class. He struggled in 2024, but he can play guard and center and has room to develop.
