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What could LSU's 2026 transfer portal numbers look like?

·40 min·3 clips

LSU faces a major blow as top offensive lineman Karius Kern is expected to enter the transfer portal.

This episode analyzes LSU football's potential transfer portal activity for the 2026 roster under new head coach Lane Kiffin. Host Glenn West, a senior writer for Geaux247, provides a detailed position-by-position forecast. He bases his projections on current roster movements and the program's needs entering the January portal window. LSU has 16 players expected to enter the transfer portal as of the recording, including offensive lineman Karius Kern, the top-ranked lineman in the portal. Key departures with starting experience include offensive linemen Tyree Adams, DJ Chester, and Cohen Echols. Glenn West notes the majority of exits are on offense, signaling a significant rebuild for that unit under Kiffin. He projects LSU will add between 17 and 25 new players via the portal, with most expected to compete for starting roles immediately. The quarterback position is identified as the top priority, with only Michael Van Buren potentially returning. West suggests LSU might add two or three quarterbacks, targeting a mix of an immediate starter and a developmental player, naming Sam Levitt, D.J. Lagway, and Cameron Sorsby as potential fits. The offensive line is another critical need, having already lost six players; West forecasts LSU could add four to seven new linemen to compete for starting spots. At running back, LSU hopes to retain at least one of Harlan Berry or Caden Durham and may add two to three portal players, with Ole Miss's Kwon Lacey mentioned as a potential target if he enters. The wide receiver room may see two to three additions for more proven production, with Ole Miss's Winston Watkins cited as a logical candidate. On defense, the edge rusher group could see two to three additions, while the interior defensive line and secondary may see more modest additions of one to two players each. A surprising claim is that the offensive line could feature four new starters at tackle and guard from the transfer portal. West finds it notable that LSU's defensive staff retention, including coordinator Blake Baker, may help that unit retain more core players than the offense. He emphasizes that evaluations for offensive linemen will be especially crucial, as the unit's poor performance last year severely limited the offense. The host speculates that retaining quarterback Michael Van Buren could be valuable for providing competition, despite his uneven play, due to the chance to develop in Kiffin's system. He also highlights tight end Trey'Dez Green as a player poised for a breakout role in Kiffin's offense, which heavily features the position. The tone is analytical and informational, breaking down roster construction like a front-office executive. The style is conversational but detailed, aimed at dedicated fans who follow recruiting and roster management closely. The host speaks directly to the audience, blending reported intel with his own projections. LSU football die-hards and college football roster nerds who enjoy insider depth-chart analysis will love this episode. Casual fans or those seeking game highlights or season narratives might find the granular, speculative roster talk too niche.

As heard by us

A steady LSU portal update that keeps the focus on roster math, not noise.

LSU's first transfer portal cycle under Lane Kiffin is handled as roster math, not a hype piece, and that keeps the focus where it should be. The running back room gets most of the attention, with Harlem Berry, Durham, and Kwon Lacy folded into a practical look at what LSU may…

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If you want LSU’s transfer-portal setup before the window opens, start here.

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