LSU Baseball Targets Key Transfer: Kansas State Star Infielder Seth Dardar Visiting Baton Rouge During Super Regional Showdown

LSU baseball is right in the thick of postseason action, hosting West Virginia in the Super Regionals with hopes of advancing to another College World Series. But as the Tigers focus on taking care of business on the field, head coach Jay Johnson and his staff are also looking toward the future. One key part of that planning will be on campus today — Kansas State transfer infielder Seth Dardar.

Dardar is scheduled to visit LSU and will be in attendance at Game 2 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional against the Mountaineers. It’s a high-stakes game with plenty of eyes on the Tigers, and having a top transfer target in the stands underscores how seriously LSU is approaching this portal window.

A Louisiana native from Sulphur, Dardar has rapidly become one of the most coveted names in the college baseball transfer portal following an impressive 2024 season with the Wildcats. The right-handed hitter posted a .326 batting average, a stellar 1.065 OPS, 13 home runs, and 45 RBIs over the course of the campaign. His ability to hit for both average and power, combined with solid infield versatility, makes him a perfect fit for what LSU needs heading into the 2025 season.

Dardar’s bat stood out in the Big 12, and he proved capable of producing in clutch situations. He showed consistent plate discipline, drove the ball to all fields, and played with a confident edge that scouts and coaches alike value in a high-level collegiate player. Now, he’s looking for his next destination — and there may be no better place than back home in the Bayou.

LSU has been active in the transfer portal ever since Jay Johnson took the reins of the program. Known for his player development acumen and offensive coaching prowess, Johnson has turned LSU into a hotbed for both high school talent and experienced college transfers. That track record makes Baton Rouge an attractive destination for someone like Dardar, who could come in and immediately make an impact on a team poised to remain among the nation’s elite.

The infield picture at LSU is set to shift next season, with multiple starters likely moving on to pro ball or aging out of eligibility. Dardar could step into an open role, offering immediate production and maturity from day one. His defensive profile allows him to play multiple spots in the infield, and his bat would slot comfortably into the heart of LSU’s lineup.

Beyond the numbers, Dardar brings an intangible quality that coaches love. At Kansas State, he earned praise for his work ethic and leadership. He’s not just a bat looking for a lineup — he’s a presence that can elevate a clubhouse. That sort of character is crucial for a team like LSU, which has national title aspirations every season.

Today’s visit offers Dardar a chance to see the atmosphere that LSU provides — and there are few better times to do that than during a Super Regional. Alex Box Stadium will be rocking with postseason energy, and the crowd will serve as a living, breathing advertisement for what it means to be part of LSU baseball. For a Louisiana kid who’s already tasted success on the Big 12 stage, coming home to a program of this caliber could be a dream scenario.

It’s also an opportunity for the Tigers to show Dardar exactly how he fits into the bigger picture. LSU’s coaching staff has a proven history of taking players like him and helping them elevate their game to new levels. Dylan Crews, Tre’ Morgan, Tommy White — the list of recent Tigers who’ve flourished under Johnson’s guidance and moved on to the MLB is long and growing. Dardar, already a polished player, could benefit greatly from that kind of structure and support.

LSU fans will no doubt keep a close eye on Dardar during his visit. His presence at the game will stir buzz among those in attendance, and should the Tigers win and push the series to a decisive Game 3, it would only add to the electric atmosphere he’s experiencing. Every moment in Baton Rouge today serves as a live-action recruitment pitch. Every chant, every cheer, every rally is another reason to believe this is where he belongs.

But Dardar is more than just a feel-good local story. This is a player who earned his spot on the national radar through sheer performance. His .326 average speaks to his consistency, while his 13 home runs highlight his ability to change the game with one swing. A 1.065 OPS at the Division I level is no small feat — that ranks him among the elite hitters in the transfer portal this year.

The fit with LSU is natural. The Tigers are losing key pieces, and the incoming recruiting class is strong but still developing. Bringing in a proven veteran like Dardar bridges that gap. He provides both a security blanket for Johnson’s infield and a potential star-caliber performer who could lead the team offensively next spring.

While today’s focus will remain squarely on the Super Regional series, the behind-the-scenes recruiting work is equally important. Adding someone of Dardar’s caliber not only improves the roster — it sends a message. LSU is always looking to reload, not rebuild. The transfer portal era has changed the dynamics of college baseball, and programs that adapt quickly — like LSU — are the ones staying at the top.

There’s also a unique emotional element in play. Dardar coming home to play in front of Louisiana fans would be a compelling story. There’s pride in wearing the purple and gold for local athletes, and the crowd at Alex Box would likely embrace him as one of their own. The chance to chase a national championship close to home is a rare opportunity, and LSU offers that window of possibility every single season.

The Tigers’ roster planning for 2025 and beyond will hinge on how they fill in these critical gaps. And while Johnson continues to secure top recruiting classes, it’s players like Dardar — experienced, capable, and ready to contribute immediately — who can often be the difference-makers when the postseason arrives. LSU knows that. That’s why today’s visit is so important.

There will be other programs vying for Dardar’s services. With numbers like his and experience in a Power Five conference, he won’t be short on suitors. But LSU offers a combination of competitive environment, player development, passionate fan base, and high-end facilities that few others can match. When you add in the hometown factor, the scales start to tip heavily in the Tigers’ favor.

For now, the focus remains on beating West Virginia and punching a ticket to Omaha. But the future is always in motion, and today’s visit could go a long way in shaping LSU’s next great team. Seth Dardar is in Baton Rouge, and he’s getting a front-row seat to everything LSU baseball is about. If all goes well, he might just decide to stay a while — and that could be a game-changer for the Tigers.