Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are riding out a pretty turbulent stretch in Baton Rouge. NCAA Transfer Portal talk and staff hires are all anyone seems to discuss right now.
With the transfer portal window opening on January 2, Kiffin and his crew are busy breaking down their target board. The Tigers look ready to attack the portal hard, especially after losing a handful of players from their 2025 roster.
Key Departures from LSU
The LSU Tigers have watched several players announce they’re heading to the NCAA Transfer Portal. It’s been a wave—wide receivers, cornerbacks, and a few others have all decided to move on.
Here are some of the departures that stand out:
- Kylan Billiot: Once a four-star wide receiver, Billiot just never found his groove at LSU. He played in one game over two seasons and didn’t record any stats. He still has three seasons of eligibility left.
- Jelani Watkins: Watkins, another receiver, appeared in five games over two years and caught two passes for 21 yards. He also shined in track while at LSU.
- Ashton Stamps: The cornerback started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2024. In 2025, though, he lost his spot on the depth chart and decided to enter the portal with two years left to play.
- Wallace Foster IV: Foster, another cornerback, got in three games over two seasons and made one tackle. Out of high school, he had offers from a bunch of top programs.
- Sydir Mitchell: Mitchell transferred in from Texas but got dismissed from the LSU program after just two games in 2025.
Impact on the Team
Losing these players is going to hit the Tigers’ depth, no question. The wide receiver rotation takes a blow with Billiot and Watkins gone, and the secondary will feel the loss of Stamps and Foster.
Mitchell’s exit leaves a hole on the defensive line that LSU can’t ignore for long.
Reasons Behind the Departures
Why are so many leaving? For some, not getting playing time and struggling to break into the starting lineup just got old. Others, like Mitchell, faced disciplinary issues that forced them out.
Kiffin and his staff have made it clear: meet the program’s standards or you’re gone. It’s a tough environment, but maybe that’s what LSU needs.
Transfer Portal Strategy
With the portal about to open, LSU looks poised to dive in headfirst. They’re probably targeting high-impact players who can step in right away and fill the gaps left behind.
Kiffin’s approach here is aggressive—he wants experience and production, not just potential.
Future Prospects for LSU
Even with all the departures, there’s still some optimism around Baton Rouge. Kiffin’s shown he can recruit and develop talent, and that’s not likely to change.
The Tigers are expected to add to their coaching staff too, hoping to build a more resilient squad for the future.
Recruiting Feats
Kiffin’s already landed some impressive recruits in his short time at LSU. His knack for attracting top talent is going to be key as the roster rebuilds.
The focus now? Sign players who can contribute from day one. LSU fans are watching closely—who knows what surprises are coming next?
Conclusion
The LSU Tigers are definitely in a transition phase. A bunch of players have left, and the team’s trying to figure out what’s next.
Sure, losing those key players stings. But hey, it does give some new faces a shot to step up and surprise us.
Lane Kiffin’s been pretty relentless in the transfer portal. His recruiting skills? Honestly, they might just give Baton Rouge fans something to look forward to.
For more details, check out this article.
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