The 2024 LSU Football season was a disappointment as the Tigers won less than 10 games for the first time under Brian Kelly. Coming off of a disappointing season, the LSU Football team needed to go out and attack the transfer portal as the roster had clear holes that needed to be addressed while more were opening as the Tigers lost 4 of 5 starting offensive linemen to the NFL.
When Brian Kelly told the media that the team was going to be active in the transfer portal, the fanbase never could've envisioned what would come next. The LSU Football team went out and added 16 players during the Winter transfer portal window taking this roster from being a dark horse in the SEC into being a true contender in the SEC.
After bringing in such a massive haul during the first transfer window, LSU could've easily stood pat during the Spring transfer portal window as the roster had plenty of talent across the board. Instead, LSU went out and addressed the two biggest needs landing AJ Haulcy the Tigers highest ranked transfer at safety and Bernard Gooden who'll play a key role on the defensive line.
As the offseason and the transfer portal draw to a close, ESPN ranked every team's transfer portal haul by conference and their top ten off-season's Nationally. Not only were the LSU Tigers named ESPN's winner of the offseason in the SEC but, LSU had ESPN's top ranked offseason.
Being able to retain both Garrett Nussmeier and Harold Perkins Jr for one more season are at the top of LSU's offseason moves as both players have first-round ability. ESPN acknowledges Nic Anderson, Barion Brown, and Mansoor Delane as the Tigers key additions leaving out several players LSU fans are thrilled about adding.
The rankings did take into account some of the parts of the offseason that didn't go well for each team. Losing Bryce Underwood late in the recruiting cycle is far and away the biggest loss considering what he meant for the future. The Tigers lost two starters in CJ Daniels and Sage Ryan to the transfer portal but, the Tigers upgraded by a wide margin with their additions.
Heading into the 2025 season, the LSU Football team has all of the hype and high expectations a program could hope for. While Brian Kelly's team will need to prove it on the field this season, the Tigers went out and built a contender via the transfer portal and should make the College Football Playoff for the first time under Brian Kelly.
More LSU News: