Tag: simeon barrow jr.

LSU defensive tackle transfer target commits to Auburn

LSU missed on a defensive tackle transfer prospect.

LSU came up short in landing one of its top transfer defensive tackle targets as [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag] committed to Auburn.

Blidi began his career at Texas Tech before transferring to Indiana. He hit the portal again after a year with the Hoosiers, this time garnering SEC interest.

According to On3’s Shea Dixon, Auburn made an impression on Blidi, and the buzz around his recruitment signaled Auburn following Blidi’s visit to the Plains.

Per PFF, Blidi was the 15th-best graded defensive tackle in the Big Ten last year while totaling 15 pressures and 11 run stops.

LSU needs to beef up its defensive tackle group and remains in pursuit of some of the portal’s top players, including DTs [autotag]Simeon Barrow Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag].

Blidi bolsters an already solid Auburn transfer class that ranks 10th in the country, according to On3.

LSU remains well positioned with the seventh-ranked transfer class, but Blidi is a loss given the Tigers’ need at his position.

Brian Kelly said defensive tackle is the only position LSU is after in the spring portal window. [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag] are the only two scholarship defensive tackles on the roster who saw time for LSU last year.

Despite the lack of numbers, Kelly feels good about where the position is headed with defensive line coach [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag] leading the way.

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Simeon Barrow and Damonic Williams offer LSU chance to rebuild defensive line

A couple of big name transfers could allow LSU to rebuild its defensive tackle room.

The spring portal window is open and one position is in especially high demand — defensive tackle. LSU head coach Brian Kelly even went so far as to say this is the only position LSU is looking to add.

Just a few days in, the Tigers already have a couple of key visits lined up. LSU will be hosting [autotag]Simeon Barrow Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag] in the near future with the hopes of landing a defensive tackle that can make an immediate impact.

Following the spring game, Kelly credited defensive line coach Bo Davis with bringing a different level of talent to campus. We’re seeing more evidence of that here even if there’s a way to go in both players’ recruitments.

As it stands, LSU has one proven player at defensive tackle in fifth-year DL [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag]. The Tigers need help there is this defense wants to take a step forward.

With Barrow and Williams, LSU has the chance to add an instant upgrade to its defensive tackle group. Relying on the portal is a tricky way to build a team, but LSU’s gotten lucky with some difference makers on the DL entering their names.

It will be tough for LSU to land both of these players, and fans shouldn’t expect that, but even one would go a long way toward shoring up the middle of this defense. Depth would remain a concern, but a starting two of Guillory and Barrow or Guillory and Williams will do the job.

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Former TCU defensive lineman to visit LSU

Damonic Williams would be a huge pickup for the Tigers if they were to land him.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] has repeatedly stated that he is actively looking for more defensive linemen in the [autotag]Transfer Portal[/autotag]. The Tigers have been linked to Michigan State defensive lineman, [autotag]Simeon Barrow Jr.[/autotag], and now they have been linked to TCU defensive lineman [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag].

Williams was honorable mention All Big-12 and honorable mention for Defensive Lineman of the Year while at TCU last year. In two seasons at TCU, Williams has played in 27 games and has registered 60 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks.

Williams is a guy who could bring a lot of experience to a defensive line room that has some talent but lacks the experience of playing in big games. Williams would be a huge pickup for the Tigers if they were to land him. He will be visiting LSU from April 30-May 1. He will also visit Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Missouri and Oregon.

LSU’s 2024 recruiting class is currently ranked as the No. 8 class in the country by 247Sports.

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LSU to host experienced Michigan State defensive tackle transfer this weekend

The Tigers are clearly aiming to bulk up the defensive line’s interior in the transfer portal.

LSU has a clear need along the interior of the defensive line, and it’s clear addressing that is a priority in the second transfer portal window.

The Tigers have already offered one of the best transfers at the position in Kent State’s [autotag]CJ West[/autotag], and now they’re reportedly in contact with Michigan State defensive tackle transfer [autotag]Simeon Barrow Jr.[/autotag]

A redshirt senior from Grovetown, Georgia, who entered the transfer portal on Thursday, Barrow appeared in 34 games over the last three seasons with the Spartans, starting 30 of them.

He has 110 career tackles (18.5 for loss) and 10.5 sacks. He has also forced two fumbles with one recovery while blocking two field goals, and he was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2022 and 2023.

According to On3, he’s down to six schools and expected to make a transfer decision quickly. On3’s Pete Nakos later reported that Barrow would visit LSU on Sunday.

LSU’s only two experienced returning players at the position are [autotag]Jalen Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag], and the depth behind them is lacking. LSU may be looking to add several bodies at defensive tackle, but Barrow would be a major pickup for coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag].

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