LSU football’s defensive depth continues to take hits with three more defenders hitting the portal. According to reports, LB [autotag]Xavier Atkins[/autotag], CB [autotag]Jyaire Brown[/autotag], and CB [autotag]Bernard Causey[/autotag] all plan to transfer when the portal window opens.
Atkins was a four-star linebacker in the class of 2024. According to Rivals, he was the No. 7 ranked linebacker in the class. As a freshman, Atkins played 31 snaps on defense, including seven in the win over Ole Miss and 11 against Arkansas. He recorded a pressure in both contests.
Causey was another member of the 2024 class. He was a three-star from New Orleans but didn’t see the field as a freshman.
Brown was an Ohio State transfer that was part of LSU’s secondary overhaul entering 2024. But he didn’t play much as LSU relied on veteran Zy Alexander and a group of younger corners. He was in the rotation to start the year but was phased out and didn’t see any time on defense in October and November.
All three entries hurt LSU’s depth and losing freshmen like Atkins and Causey doesn’t give LSU the chance to develop players that weren’t ready to contribute right away, but fans shouldn’t overreact to depth pieces entering the portal.
LSU will have a chance to restock defensive depth when the portal officially opens.