LSU Tigers starting quarterback enters the transfer portal

LSU Tigers quarterback Max Johnson has entered the transfer portal, he announced on Tuesday. He was LSU’s starter during head coach Ed Orgeron’s last season in Baton Rouge.

“LSU, Thank you for allowing me to pursue my academic and athletic career here,” Johnson said via Twitter. “I have made strong relationships that will last a lifetime with coaches, staff and especially my teammates! With careful and prayerful consideration, I am entering the transfer portal.”

Johnson appeared in all 12 games for LSU this season, throwing 2,815 yards, 27 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He was thrown into the fire last season as a true freshman and was constantly battling for a starting position with the Tigers.

LSU is now down to one scholarship quarterback in true freshman Garrett Nussimeir. Only playing in four games this season, Nussimeir will have to burn his redshirt to play in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State.

Second LSU players enters transfer portal

LSU freshman wide receiver Deion Smith plans to enter the transfer portal, according to The Athletic’s Brody Miller. Smith played in five games during his first season in Baton Rouge.

Smith ranked No. 54 in the 2021 On3 player rankings and No. 75 overall in the 2021 On3 composite rankings. The Mississippi native was the top player out of his state and LSU’s best offensive recruit.

Over the course of his freshman season, Smith recorded 11 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns, including a dominant effort with 135 yards and both his touchdowns in an early season game against Central Michigan.

Deion Smith originally chose LSU over Alabama, Ole Miss and others, and enters the transfer portal less than one year after enrolling with the Tigers.

Brian Kelly hires old Notre Dame assistant

As he begins his second week as the new head football coach at LSU, Brian Kelly is beginning to build his staff.

Jacob Flint, the Notre Dame co-director of strength and conditioning, is reportedly headed to Baton Rouge with him. The rumor had been circulating for a few days, but Brody Miller of “The Athletic” all but confirmed the transition on Tuesday. Flint would be the first coach to leave South Bend to join Kelly at LSU.

Flint has traveled with Kelly to multiple stops during his career. He was a walk-on at Central Michigan while Kelly was the head coach, earning a scholarship in his final season in 2005. Additionally, Flint spent 2007-2009 at Cincinnati with Kelly before coming to Notre Dame with him in 2010.

Flint spent the last few years of his time at Notre Dame working alongside Matt Balis, Notre Dame’s director of football performance. Balis elected not to follow Kelly to LSU.