BATON ROUGE – When he was hired, LSU football Lane Kiffin explained that the most important things he needed to do in the first days and weeks after landing his new job was to close the early signing period for LSU’s 2026 recruiting class. The second was to complete his coaching staff.
Kiffin checked off first and landed what is ranked the 13th best class, according to the 247Sports Composite and he’s still working on it. completing his full-time field team.
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The next step for Kiffin at LSU has to be filling out his first team with the Tigers via the transfer portal, which opens January 2. Kiffin made a name for himself for the way he and his team at his previous stop, Ole Mademoiselleperformed magic through the portal.
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It is expected that at LSU, the portal czar will be able to sue and transfer land more easily. Teams with coaching changes will experience turnover and there could be opportunities for LSU to bolster its roster with some of those players who choose to move on.
Who could Kiffin and company target out of the transfer portal among these teams? Here is a list of five players.
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Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
LSU needs a quarterback and who better than Kiffin’s former quarterback with the Rebels. The senior is asking the NCAA for another year of eligibility and that decision is pending. If he gets another year, like Diego Pavia at Vanderbilt, Chambliss will be playing college football in 2026. Could he be anywhere other than Ole Miss? If so, Kiffin would undoubtedly pursue him as there is a track record of success with both members of the same team.
Xavier Atkins, LB, Auburn
Could Kiffin convince Atkins to return to Baton Rouge? Atkins transferred from LSU to Auburn last offseason after his freshman season. He had an excellent second year with the Plains, totaling 84 tackles, nine sacks and an interception. LSU needs help at linebacker, and if Atkins were to enter the portal, Kiffin should be his first call.
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Nick Marsh, WR, Michigan State
The highest rated player currently in the transfer portal, Marsh will be highly sought after out of the portal as his combination of size and production in college could help anyone in need of a receiver. LSU will need pass catchers because it will lose some starters, and it’s also unclear if the Tigers will lose any in the transfer portal themselves. That’s where Marsh comes in. He’s already totaled over 1,300 receiving yards and 100 catches in his college career.
Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
Pounds was one of the best offensive linemen in the Southeastern Conference this season, helping pave the way for stellar running back Kewan Lacy and an Ole Miss rushing attack that was one of the best in the country. Kiffin already knows Pounds’ strengths and weaknesses, and with the help LSU needs up front, if Pounds were to enter the transfer portal, Kiffin will want him in Baton Rouge.
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Ben Murawski, OT, UConn
Murawski is rated a three-star transfer by the 247Sports Composite, which is an improvement from how he was rated earlier in his career. He is currently the highest-rated offensive tackle in the transfer portal. LSU’s biggest weakness this season was tackling. Murawski has played a lot of football and the rising senior could come to Baton Rouge and push for playing time.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Do you have questions about LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at [email protected].
This article was originally published on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Here are 5 transfer portal targets for Lane Kiffin and LSU football
