Having a regime change in Baton Rouge, the LSU football team has undergone a major overhaul throughout the roster and staff. Putting the Brian Kelley era as far in the past as possible while moving forward is a good decision, and, thanks to the work Lane Kiffin and co.
By utilizing the transfer portal, LSU should be able to compete next season. When looking at LSU’s entire 2026 transfer portal class, some stand out as players who can change the trajectory of next season.
Here are some of those players;
QB Sam Leavitt
It’s hard not to talk about a new starting QB when focusing on the most impactful players from the transfer portal. Sam Leavitt left ASU for LSU to become a better QB and lead this team to a National Championship. Right away, there is clear pressure for Leavitt to succeed, especially while being coached by Kiffin, who has been great at putting QBs in a position to succeed. The season may hinge on what Leavitt can do, especially if the defense can reach the heights many expect it to.
Also, Leavitt is not the spitting image of consistency. At times, he can make an excellent play that most can’t make, but there are also times he makes a very questionable decision. These are the type of moments that can completely change the outcome of games.
EDGEs Princewill Umanmielen & Jordan Ross
I decided to put these two players together because I could not choose one over the other. LSU’s pass rush group over recent years has struggled to get to the QB consistently. There have been some outliers, such as Bradyn Swinson, but besides him, this group needed work. That’s where Princewill Umanmielen & Jordan Ross come into play.
Both Umanmielen and Ross are absolute game changers off the edge. With their mixture of speed and athleticism, this duo can get to the QB fast and never let them run away from tackles. How many times have we seen QBs being able to run around the backfield, extend plays, and find space to pick apart the defense? This is something that should not happen with Umanmielen and Ross on the field.
This duo will be able to disrupt the QB, resulting in even more interceptions for Blake Baker’s defense.
OT Jordan Seaton
Last season, LSU’s offensive line was one of the main issues the roster dealt with. For any team trying to win a National Championship, a good offensive line can make that happen.
In the transfer portal, LSU was able to add to its offensive line, but by far the top addition to that group was OT Jordan Seaton. The left tackle will be taking over the starting spot this season, and the talent he brings could make him one of the best tackles in the country. At Colorado, Seaton was a standout player for the Buffaloes, but after coming to LSU, he has completely transformed his body and is ready to take the next step this fall.
Solidifying that LT spot can be a game-changer for this offensive line.
