LSU Adds 18 Transfer Players to Nation’s Top 2025 Portal Class

LSU football has aggressively utilized the NCAA transfer portal, amassing the No. 1 ranked portal class in 2025 with 18 new players that include proven starters and impactful athletes from programs like Nebraska and Mississippi State. Head coach Brian Kelly is betting heavily on this influx of talent to push LSU toward a College Football Playoff run, emphasizing the need for the team to coalesce quickly before the season opener against Clemson. Despite returning key players such as Garrett Nussmeier and Whit Weeks, LSU faces the challenge of turning a talented but newly assembled roster into a cohesive unit. The Tigers’ 2025 schedule is favorable, avoiding consecutive SEC road games and featuring manageable opponents before tougher matchups, offering a strategic advantage in their championship pursuit. Meanwhile, Nebraska football continues to struggle with recapturing its former glory since their 2001 loss to Colorado, enduring multiple near-misses and coaching changes without reclaiming their past dominance. This contrast highlights LSU's all-in approach to immediate success versus Nebraska's ongoing search for redemption in college football.