Michigan State cornerback target and West Virginia Mountaineers are being pursued by LSU football.

LSU football, under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly, is actively enhancing its roster through both high school recruiting and the transfer portal. The Tigers have recently secured commitments from top-tier talents, including five-star cornerback DJ Pickett, and are pursuing other notable players to strengthen their defensive lineup.(Death Valley Voice, Last Word on Sports)

One of LSU’s significant acquisitions is DJ Pickett, a five-star cornerback from Zephyrhills High School in Florida. Standing at 6-foot-4 with a remarkable wingspan, Pickett is recognized as the top cornerback in the 2025 class by On3.com and Rivals.com . His commitment to LSU over other programs like Oregon and Miami underscores the Tigers’ appeal to elite defensive talent .(CBSSports.com, Wikipedia, Last Word on Sports)

Pickett’s decision was influenced by his relationship with LSU’s defensive backs coach Corey Raymond, who previously recruited him while at Florida. Pickett noted, “I liked LSU before [Raymond] even got there, but once he left Florida and he went to LSU, it was a no-brainer to go visit and see how everything is” .(Last Word on Sports, On3)

LSU has been proactive in the transfer portal, targeting players to bolster its defense. Notably, the Tigers secured commitments from Florida transfer Ja’Keem Jackson and Virginia Tech’s Mansoor Delane, both highly regarded cornerbacks .(Death Valley Voice)

Additionally, LSU hosted visits from other defensive backs, including Tamarcus Cooley, who recorded three interceptions during his redshirt freshman season at NC State . These efforts indicate LSU’s commitment to revamping its secondary with experienced talent.(Death Valley Voice)

While LSU has been successful in attracting new talent, it has also seen players transfer out. Cornerback Jeremiah Hughes, who appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2023, transferred to Michigan State. Hughes was a three-star recruit and contributed primarily on special teams during his time at LSU .(Spartan Avenue, On3)

Another departure includes defensive lineman Kimo Makane’ole, who transferred to West Virginia after limited playing time at LSU. Makane’ole, originally a four-star offensive line recruit, transitioned to defensive tackle but saw minimal action before his transfer .(SI)

LSU’s recent recruiting and transfer activities reflect a strategic focus on strengthening the defense, particularly the secondary. By combining high school recruits like DJ Pickett with experienced transfers, the Tigers aim to build a formidable defensive unit capable of competing at the highest level.(Reuters)

Coach Brian Kelly emphasized the importance of aligning financial resources with recruiting goals, stating, “Your brand has to be backed up by dollars. If you want to be able to close some of these [recruits], we have to have participation from a donor base” .(Reuters)

As LSU continues to navigate the evolving landscape of college football recruiting, its proactive approach in securing top talent positions the program for sustained success in the competitive SEC environment.(Reuters)