As the 2025 spring transfer portal window officially opens on April 16, LSU’s football program is making moves to bolster its roster in preparation for the upcoming season. With college football becoming more fluid than ever, the transfer portal has become a key tool for LSU’s head coach Brian Kelly and his staff to address areas of need and maintain a competitive edge within the SEC. While many teams are actively reshaping their rosters, LSU has been busy both adding key players and dealing with departures, aiming to stay strong in the race for the championship.
This tracker covers all the players who have entered or exited LSU through the transfer portal during the 2025 spring window, from quarterbacks to defensive linemen, and examines the potential impact on the Tigers’ 2025 season.
Departures: Players Entering the Transfer Portal
As is often the case during the spring transfer window, several players have decided to leave LSU, seeking more playing time or a fresh start at a different program. These departures create a mix of challenges for the coaching staff, who must now work to fill the gaps left behind.
1. Rickie Collins (Quarterback)
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Position: Quarterback
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Class: Sophomore
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Reason for Departure: Rickie Collins, a former four-star recruit from the 2023 class, has entered the transfer portal in search of more opportunities for playing time. With incumbent starter Jayden Daniels leading the Tigers, Collins finds himself buried on the depth chart.
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Impact: Collins’ departure leaves LSU with a need for depth at quarterback. LSU has plenty of talent in this area, but the loss of a highly-rated young talent like Collins could make future quarterback recruitment more crucial.
2. CJ Daniels (Wide Receiver)
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Position: Wide Receiver
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Class: Junior
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Reason for Departure: CJ Daniels, who played a significant role in LSU’s receiving corps in the past few seasons, has decided to transfer. While Daniels showed flashes of promise, he struggled with consistency and playing time in a crowded wide receiver room.
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Impact: This departure further thins LSU’s already crowded wide receiver unit, making it essential for the Tigers to develop their younger talents and potentially look for transfers to bolster this position.
3. Shelton Sampson Jr. (Wide Receiver)
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Position: Wide Receiver
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Class: Freshman
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Reason for Departure: After just one season with the Tigers, Shelton Sampson Jr., a highly touted 2024 recruit, has opted to transfer. Although Sampson Jr. was expected to contribute in the future, his transfer leaves LSU needing to find immediate contributors in the receiving game.
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Impact: LSU will now need to develop young players or find a veteran presence to replace the loss of a promising prospect like Sampson Jr. This could have significant ramifications for their passing attack moving forward.
4. Ka’Morreun Pimpton (Tight End)
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Position: Tight End
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Class: Freshman
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Reason for Departure: Pimpton, another highly-regarded recruit, has chosen to transfer out of LSU. While he had the potential to be a key figure in LSU’s offense, his departure leaves the Tigers without a promising tight end to complement their passing game.
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Impact: The loss of Pimpton makes the tight end position a clear area of need. LSU will have to work with its current tight ends or bring in a transfer to fill this void.
5. Da’Shawn Womack (Defensive End)
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Position: Defensive End
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Class: Sophomore
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Reason for Departure: Womack, a former five-star recruit, has entered the portal following limited playing time. While LSU has a deep defensive line, Womack’s departure takes away some of the potential for future pass rush production.
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Impact: LSU will need to find ways to fill the pass-rushing void left by Womack, which could lead to more reliance on their established defensive linemen or efforts to bring in another edge rusher through the portal.
6. Jordan Allen (Safety)
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Position: Safety
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Class: Junior
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Reason for Departure: Starting safety Jordan Allen has entered the transfer portal, seeking more playing time and new opportunities. Allen had been a key part of LSU’s secondary, but with changes to the defensive scheme and new talent coming in, Allen chose to move on.
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Impact: LSU now faces a significant challenge in replacing Allen’s leadership and experience in the secondary. They will need to develop younger safeties or explore the transfer portal to address this need.
7. Kylin Jackson (Safety)
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Position: Safety
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Class: Sophomore
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Reason for Departure: Another safety, Kylin Jackson, has decided to enter the portal. His departure, following Allen’s, leaves LSU with fewer experienced bodies at safety, an area that will need to be addressed quickly.
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Impact: With two starting-caliber safeties leaving, LSU will be forced to turn to younger players or recruit a replacement to fill these critical spots in their defense.
8. Jyaire Brown (Cornerback)
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Position: Cornerback
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Class: Freshman
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Reason for Departure: Brown has entered the transfer portal in search of a better opportunity. Although he was not a major contributor in LSU’s secondary, his departure further thins the cornerback room.
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Impact: The cornerback position was already a point of concern, and Brown’s exit leaves LSU with fewer options in the defensive backfield, prompting the coaching staff to possibly seek out a veteran cornerback in the portal.
Incomings: Players Coming to LSU Through the Transfer Portal
While LSU has seen some significant departures, the program has also been active in the transfer portal, adding talent at key positions to enhance their competitiveness in the SEC.
1. Sydir Mitchell (Defensive Tackle)
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Position: Defensive Tackle
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Class: Junior
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Previous School: Texas
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Impact: Mitchell is a massive addition to LSU’s defensive line, bringing SEC experience and the ability to disrupt offenses from the interior. His size and strength will immediately improve LSU’s defensive front.
2. Jack Pyburn (Edge Rusher)
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Position: Edge Rusher
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Class: Senior
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Previous School: Florida
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Impact: Pyburn’s arrival provides LSU with a veteran pass rusher capable of making an impact on the edge. His experience in the SEC will be valuable as LSU looks to replace some of their lost pass-rushing depth.
3. Destyn Hill (Wide Receiver)
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Position: Wide Receiver
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Class: Sophomore
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Previous School: Florida State
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Impact: Hill brings needed depth and talent to LSU’s receiving corps. He will likely compete for significant playing time in a position group that has seen considerable turnover.
4. Nic Anderson (Wide Receiver)
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Position: Wide Receiver
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Class: Junior
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Previous School: Oklahoma
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Impact: Anderson is a solid addition to LSU’s wide receiver room, offering a blend of size and speed. His experience in a high-powered offense like Oklahoma’s should help LSU maintain its offensive explosiveness.
5. Grant Chadwich (Punter)
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Position: Punter
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Class: Senior
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Previous School: Middle Tennessee State
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Impact: Chadwich’s arrival provides LSU with much-needed stability in the punting game, addressing an area that has been inconsistent in recent years. His experience will be crucial in special teams play.
6. Josh Thompson (Offensive Lineman)
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Position: Offensive Lineman
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Class: Senior
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Previous School: Northwestern
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Impact: Thompson adds valuable depth to LSU’s offensive line, a key unit in need of reinforcement. His experience and versatility will be assets as LSU looks to strengthen its front.
7. Donovan Green (Tight End)
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Position: Tight End
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Class: Junior
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Previous School: Texas A&M
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Impact: Green provides an experienced target for LSU’s offense. His ability to contribute both in the passing game and in the running game will be important as LSU looks to replace the departed Pimpton.
8. TaMarcus Cooley (Safety)
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Position: Safety
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Class: Sophomore
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Previous School: NC State
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Impact: Cooley’s transfer from NC State is an important addition to LSU’s secondary, helping to shore up a position that has lost several key players. He will compete for a starting role and provide depth.
LSU’s 2025 Roster Outlook
As the 2025 spring transfer portal window continues to unfold, LSU’s football program is working diligently to address both losses and needs, balancing the exits with key additions that should keep the team competitive in the SEC. While the Tigers will miss the contributions of several players, especially in the secondary and wide receiver corps, the influx of experienced transfers gives LSU the opportunity to reload and stay competitive.
Moving forward, LSU’s coaching staff will likely continue to monitor the portal closely to fine-tune their roster in anticipation of the 2025 season. The program’s ability to effectively navigate the portal will be crucial as they look to compete for SEC and national championships in the coming years.
