Tag: LSU Football

LSU four-star defensive linemen enters transfer portal following bowl game

LSU is losing a defensive linemen to the transfer portal

LSU football defensive lineman Kimo Makane’ole is entering the transfer portal, according to A&P Sports Agency.

Makan’ole originally signed with LSU as an offensive lineman in 2021. With LSU having depth issues at defensive tackle, he moved to the other side of the ball. Per the On3 Industry Ratings, Makane’ole was a four-star recruit and the No. 299 overall-ranked player in his class.

Makane’ole saw 21 snaps with the Tigers in 2024. Most of his action came in LSU’s blowout win over Nicholls, where Makan’ole played 13 snaps and assisted on a tackle. That was his only stat recorded this year.

Makan’ole played a role on special teams as a member of LSU’s field goal-kicking unit. He saw 28 special teams snaps in his four years at LSU.

Prior to joining the defense, Makan’ole played 26 and 27 snaps on the offensive line in 2022 and 2023.

With LSU wrapping up its season on Dec. 31, players have five days to enter the transfer portal if they so choose.

2024 NFL season shows how valuable Cortez Hankton is to LSU

Performances in the NFL are proving the value of LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton

For the first time in NFL history, four rookies totaled over 1,000 receiving yards. Three out of four were coached by LSU’s [autotag]Cortez Hankton.[/autotag]

The Tigers’ co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, Hankton mentored [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] (1,140) and [autotag]Brian Thomas[/autotag] (1,179) during their years in Baton Rouge. He also worked with Ladd McConkey (1,054) while they both were at Georgia.

The Baton Rouge, LA native joined the staff for his hometown team in 2022. In his second year, Nabers and Thomas combined for 2,746 and 31 touchdowns, making them the top receiving duo in the country. Nabers led all receivers in three categories during 2023 — receiving yards per game (120.7), plays of 20-plus (34) and 30-plus (17) yards. Thomas led the nation with 17 receiving touchdowns in a breakout 2023 season

Their standout performances lead to both being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers was the No. 6 pick to the New York Giants and Thomas was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with pick No. 23. Both helped the Tigers offense lead the nation in scoring (45.5) and top the 500-yard mark nine times.

Hankton also spent four years in Athens, GA and was a part of the Bulldogs’ 2022 National Championship team. McConkey played under him for three seasons, totaling 1,687 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

Having just finished his third season with the Tigers, Hankton will continue having a large impact in the day-to-day planning of the offense as well as on the recruiting trail. Kyren Lacy just departed for the NFL Draft and the Tigers brought in Nic Anderson and Barion Brown from the transfer portal as they look to reload at the position.

LSU football lands Mississippi four-star defensive linemen over SEC rivals

LSU football added a four-star to its 2026 recruiting class

LSU football received a commitment from a blue-chip defensive lineman on Thursday.

JaReylan McCoy (2026) chose the Tigers over Tennessee, USC, and Alabama, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He announced the decision at the 2025 Under Armor All-American game in Orlando, FL.

McCoy’s commitment brings LSU’s 2026 class to six recruits and puts it at No. 4 in the cycle. Of the six, five are considered blue-chip prospects by On3’s Industry Rankings.

The Tupelo, MS native is the No. 124 overall prospect in the class, per On3’s Industry Rankings. The four-star recruit ranks sixth in the state of Mississippi and eleventh at defensive end.

McCoy is likely to play the field defensive end position in LSU’s system. He stands at 6-foot-6 and a half and 245 pounds but has demonstrated considerable speed at his size.

Per an On3 scouting report, McCoy “owns plus length for the position with 34.25-inch arms” and “registers as a top athlete, running a 4.89 second 40-yard dash.”

LSU’s Whit Weeks undergoes surgery following Texas Bowl injury

Whit Weeks underwent surgery to repair injury suffered in the Texas Bowl

LSU football star linebacker [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a broken fibula, part of an ankle injury sustained during LSU’s bowl game, according to a report from The Advocate.

The report said Weeks didn’t suffer ligament damage and expects to make a full recovery in a few months. He may make it back in time to participate in spring practices.

In the Kinder’s Texas Bowl on Tuesday, Weeks went down late in the second quarter and was carted off the field with an air cast on his right leg. He did not return, and head coach Brian Kelly reported he suffered a dislocated ankle, indicating a pending surgery.

The sophomore led the Tigers and tied for second in the SEC with 125 tackles. Weeks also totaled 10 tackles for loss, three and a half sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

Before leaving the field, Weeks was surrounded by teammates, including brother and LSU linebacker [autotag]West Weeks[/autotag]. The two, along with youngest brother Zach, will don the purple and gold next season. Zach Weeks signed with the Tigers as part of the 2025 recruiting class.

Where did LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier finish in ESPN’s QBR rankings?

See where ESPN’s QBR ranked Garrett Nussmeier after leading the Tigers to a win to close the year

Garrett Nussmeier’s postseason performance put him in the top-10 of college quarterbacks, according to one ESPN statistic.

Thanks to his play in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl, Nussmeier ranks tenth in total QBR on ESPN. The outlet gives him a 79.9, third-best among SEC quarterbacks.

Georgia’s Carson Beck is No. 8 with 80.9, and Ole Miss’ Jaxon Dart is No. 5 with 84.9.

The Tigers defeated Baylor 44-31 on New Year’s Eve in Houston, TX, at NRG Stadium. Nussmeier threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns while throwing a pick. He completed two passes for over 40 yards and didn’t take a sack.

LSU put a lot on Nussmeier’s plate in 2024. With the Tigers struggling to run the ball, Nussmeier totaled 625 plays. He racked up a total EPA of 73.3, ranking ninth.

Playing behind an offensive line missing three starters, Nussmeier displayed confidence and mobility in the pocket. LSU was also missing its two best pass catchers in, wide receiver Kyren Lacy and tight end Mason Taylor. Nussmeier found Chris Hilton Jr four times for a game-high 113 yards, while Trey’Dez Green caught six passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns.

Former LSU running back Logan Diggs makes Ole Miss debut in Gator Bowl

A former LSU running back finally made his debut with an SEC rival on Thursday

A former LSU running back finally debuted with his new team after hitting the transfer portal last year.

Logan Diggs saw the field for Ole Miss in the first quarter of the Gator Bowl vs Duke. On his first play, Diggs caught a pass in the flat and took it for six yards.

It was a long road back for Diggs after an offseason surgery.

Diggs spent one year at LSU in 2023. His career began at Notre Dame, where he spent two years before reuniting with Brian Kelly at LSU.

Diggs ran it 119 times for 532 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. Most of LSU’s rushing production came from Jayden Daniels, but Diggs was LSU’s most efficient back. He added eight catches for 82 yards in the passing game.

LSU’s run game struggled in 2024, and the Tigers could have used the veteran presence of Diggs if he were healthy.

In Diggs’ absence, true freshman running back Caden Durham emerged.

LSU set to host one of the transfer portal’s top defensive backs from SEC rival

LSU football will host one of the top available players in the transfer portal at a key position of need

LSU football has the top-ranked transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports. But the Tigers aren’t done yet.

Per a report from 247 and CBS Sports, LSU is set to host former Auburn defensive back Keionte Scott on a visit.

Per the On3 Industry Rankings, Scott is the No. 171 ranked overall player in the portal, but that isn’t completely reflective of who Scott is as a player.

Scott, who began his career at the junior college level, was a three-year starter at Auburn.

In 2022 and 2023, Scott was one of the better nickel defenders in the SEC. He’s athletic enough to cover receivers in man and can defend the run near the line of scrimmage.

LSU lost a handful of defensive backs in the transfer portal and needs someone to play Blake Baker’s STAR position, now voided with Major Burns departing.

Scott would bring over 1,300 snaps of SEC experience to a defense in search of veterans on the backend.

LSU already added former Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane from the portal. Delane and Scott both bring versatility and the ability to play different roles, which will allow LSU to play its young guys where they’re comfortable.

Should LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier be the Heisman favorite in 2025?

Should Garrett Nussmeier be considered the Heisman favorite entering 2025?

LSU quarterback [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] is heading into 2025 on a high note.

The Tigers’ QB closed out his first year as the starter with 304 yards and three touchdowns in a Texas Bowl win over Baylor. It was Nussmeier’s second-straight year leading LSU to a win in the bowl game after his first career start came in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day in 2024.

In December, Nussmeier announced his intention to return to LSU in 2025. Returning the QB was a top priority for LSU, especially after five-star recruit Bryce Underwood flipped to Michigan.

Now, LSU gets a veteran signal-caller returning to lead the offense. Nussmeier was inconsistent in 2024, but the highs were high.

Nussmeier dazzled with NFL-level throws in the upset win over Ole Miss. He helped lead LSU to a road win over a South Carolina team that contended for a playoff spot.

Nussmeier is good. Despite what some fans on social media said during the November struggles, he may be really good.

It’s why LSU worked so hard to keep him around. Not just this offseason, but in prior years when Nussmeier was backing up [autotag]Jayden Daniels.[/autotag]

Nussmeier will enter 2025 as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Should he be the favorite to win the Heisman trophy?

2025 has a chance to be a good year for quarterbacks. Along with Nussmeier, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Drew Allar’s Penn State return. Arch Manning is slated to take over for Texas.

Florida’s DJ Lagway looks like a budding star and Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava should progress. Oklahoma has high expectations for transfer John Mateer and Kevin Jennings will be back at SMU.

Outside of the quarterback position, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is a contender, too.

That’s a tough group to contend with, but Nussmeier has the talent and situation to make his campaign.

Manning is talented, but he will be in his first year as a starter. Lagway has the potential to be a superstar, but it’s unclear if he’ll have the pieces in Gainesville. The same could be said for Mateer and Jennings.

Klubnik and Allar are strong contenders, but Nussmeier will get a chance to beat Klubnik head-to-head to open the year.

Right now, I think Nussmeier has to be considered one of the two or three best contenders to win the award.

I’m doing some projecting here, but if Nussmeier can play like he did in the final three games of 2024, he’ll be the best quarterback in the country.

LSU’s receiving corps are reloaded with the return of Aaron Anderson and the transfer additions of Barion Brown and Nic Anderson. [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] gives LSU an explosive rushing threat in the backfield.

With another offseason as the starter, Nussmeier will look to join [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] as LSU quarterbacks with monster fifth-years.

See where LSU football’s transfer portal class ranks nationally

Where does 247Sports rank LSU football’s 2025 transfer portal class?

LSU football is assembling one of the top transfer portal classes in the country. Tigers’ head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said LSU planned to be aggressive, and the results have backed it up.

According to ESPN, LSU landed four of the top 13 ranked transfers in the portal.

Former Kentucky wide receiver [autotag]Barion Brown[/autotag] is the top-ranked of the bunch, sitting at No. 8 overall.

On Brown, ESPN says he brings “speed, speed, and more speed” to LSU.

“Brown should see a lot of targets for the Tigers next season and will continue to be a game-changer in the return game,” ESPN added.

Joining Brown at the top of the class are former Oklahoma wide receiver [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag], Virginia Tech transfer cornerback [autotag]Mansoor Delane[/autotag], and FSU transfer defensive end [autotag]Patrick Payton.[/autotag]

According to 247Sports, LSU’s transfer class is the best in the country, sitting at No. 1 ahead of Texas Tech.

LSU’s signed 14 transfers thus far, eight of them being four-stars.

LSU’s average transfer rating of 89.77 isn’t the best mark in the country, though it’s near the top. But no other program has matched LSU’s quality with the same volume.

Kelly and the staff are making it a point to fill needs. Payton leads a strong group of transfers at defensive end, and Delane helps replace the veteran presence that LSU is losing with cornerback [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] moving on.

After an 8-4 regular season, LSU’s portal additions, along with key returnees, will have LSU expecting to compete for the playoffs in 2025.

Brian Kelly offers thoughts on LSU’s defensive performance vs. Baylor

Here’s what Brian Kelly said about LSU’s defensive performance in the Texas Bowl

LSU football led Baylor by 17 points at halftime of the Kinder’s Texas Bowl, but the Bears cut the lead to 10 in the third quarter.

The Tigers, tasked with replacing multiple starters on defense, embodied a “bend, don’t break” philosophy en route to a 44-31 win.

Led largely by safeties [autotag]Javien Toviano[/autotag] and [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag], LSU prevented the big play. The two tied for the team lead in solo tackles with six tackles apiece, according to PFF.

Gilbert, in particular, came up with two key stops on late downs.

“I thought when we did a really good job late in the game, in the third and fourth quarters, eliminating the run game, they [the Bears] were up against it because the passing game then becomes one where we could play a lot more quarters coverage and get off playing man coverage,” LSU head coach Brian Kelly said.

Shrinking the field and secondary players making open-field tackles have been points of emphasis for Kelly all season. Without [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] or [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag], Gilbert was the lone safety with experience, while sophomore Toviano got his first real game time as a starter.

Once the Tigers thwarted Baylor’s ground game, they focused on defending quarterback Sawyer Robertson through the air in zone coverage.

According to GameOnPaper, LSU held Baylor to -0.29 EPA per rush — one of the Tigers’ best marks of the year.

Baylor’s red zone success rate was 33% and reflected the secondary’s work in small-field situations.

“When the field began to shrink, our safeties could be flat-footed and really squeeze those routes,” Kelly said. “It was hard for them to put the ball in the end zone because of that.”