LSU football has been busy in the transfer portal since it opened last Monday. So far, the Tigers have added nine players in the portal, including impact starters on both sides of the ball.
LSU isn’t done yet, though. A few needs persist, including at safety and offensive line.
We’ll look at safety today.
LSU got inconsistent safety play in 2024. [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag], [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag], and [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag] are talented players but had their fair share of struggles. Ryan hit the transfer portal, and Burns is set to graduate.
Safeties [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag] and [autotag]Kylin Jackson[/autotag] joined Ryan in the portal, leaving LSU thin at the position.
LSU likes what it saw from true freshman Dashawn Spears in 2024. Still, adding talent to the room is needed if LSU’s defense wants another step forward.
The Tigers have already lost a couple of the top available safety transfers, but good options remain. Here are five names to know as Brian Kelly and staff continue to bolster the 2024 roster.
Tawfiq Byard, USF
There’s mutual interest between Byard and LSU after the safety took a visit to Baton Rouge earlier this week.
Byard was a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 and saw minimal action as a freshman, but 2024 was a breakout campaign for the sophomore.
Byard’s PFF run defense grade ranks top 40 among safeties with 450+ snaps. That’s what LSU needs on the backend after the Tigers struggled to contain explosive runs in 2024.
Genesis Smith, Arizona
According to On3, Smith is the top uncommitted safety in the transfer portal. He started 11 games with the Wildcats in 2024, lining up at safety and in the slot. If LSU wants to replace the versatility of Sage Ryan, Smith is the guy.
Smith came up with three picks and forced two fumbles in 2024. He’s 6’2′, which gives him the physicality to play in Blake Baker’s defense.
Tyson Flowers, Rice
According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Rice is the No. 188 ranked player in the transfer portal. His PFF defense grade of 78.8 ranked 45th among FBS safeties in 2024. He has 867 career snaps and could be ready to make the jump to the Power Four.
He can play at safety or in the box and would be a fit to step into Major Burns’ role.
Caleb Weaver, Sam Houston State
Weaver is one of the most experienced options on the market, with over 1,800 career snaps. He’s listed at 5’9′, but he was still one of the nation’s most productive safeties in 2024, even against the run.
Weave broke up six passes while making 72 tackles. That’s the type of production LSU needs on the backend.
Jalen Stroman, Virginia Tech
LSU already landed one Virginia Tech defensive back this cycle, adding cornerback Mansoor Delane. Stroman is one of the most talented safeties in the portal, though injuries are a concern.
When Stroman was healthy in 2023, he made 15 stops and allowed just eight catches. LSU may want to avoid taking a gamble, but Stroman offers an upside option.
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(@KhaiPrean)