Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
LSU

Greg McElroy identifies LSU's biggest needs in transfer portal

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•04/30/25•

griffin_mcveigh

LSU head coach Brian Kelly spoke out on the state of the program following the loss to Alabama (Photo: Scott Kinser | Imagn Images)
LSU head coach Brian Kelly. (Photo: Scott Kinser | Imagn Images)

LSU has one final opportunity to add to its 2025 roster. The spring NCAA transfer portal window is officially open and ESPN’s Greg McElroy identified where the Tigers need to add. Both position groups came from the defensive side, highlighting safety and defensive tackle.

Beginning at the back-end of the secondary, McElroy believes this has been an area head coach Brian Kelly has been attempting to load up on since the winter window. One was added via Tamarcus Cooley of NC State. However, McElroy knows depth has been an issue throughout the years.

“It’s defensive tackle and safety,” McElroy said. “I think those are the two spots for Brian Kelly that they really need to try and go after… LSU hosted a bunch of safeties in the winter window. They were able to sign one but I think, in a perfect world, they would have added more. And when you think about some of the depth challenges LSU has had in the last couple years… Adding some depth at safety would be very beneficial.”

Moving on to defensive tackle, there is no program out there that would turn down a quality player at the position. Especially in the SEC, where portal recruitments for defensive tackles can become quite intense. Kelly admitted as such this time last year, losing out on targets.

McElroy admitted there are some young players in the program LSU can rely on to make a jump. But you can never have enough talent in your defensive tackle room.

“They have some quality players, some young guys they’re expecting big jumps from in the second year in the system of Blake Baker,” McElroy said. “It should pay massive dividends. But like everybody, do you think Brian Kelly is going to turn down a quality defensive tackle body?”

McElroy wrapped things up by saying offensive tackle could be another position where LSU looks to add somebody. Just a few days ago, both Will Campbell and Emery Jones were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. LSU has relied on them for the last two seasons, now looking elsewhere.

LSU will begin the 2025 season with one of college football’s top nonconference showdowns. Clemson will play host in a battle of Tigers and Death Valley. Winning a season opener has never occurred under Kelly, looking to break the drought. A little more reinforcement is hopefully on the way to Baton Rouge before then.