The LSU Tigers are making major waves in the transfer portal this offseason, positioning themselves as a legit College Football Playoff contender in 2025. Coach Brian Kelly and his staff have assembled an absolutely loaded class, headlined by the commitment of former Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton.
Payton, the No. 1 ranked transfer defensive end and No. 12 player overall, is an absolute game-changer for the Tigers’ defense. Over his three seasons at FSU, the 6’5″, 250-pound pass rusher racked up a whopping 80 pressures, 31.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and 13 pass breakups. He was widely projected as an early-round NFL draft pick had he gone pro, but instead he’s taking his talents to Baton Rouge for one more year of college ball.
A Star-Studded Transfer Class
Payton is the crown jewel, but he’s far from the only impact transfer joining LSU in 2025. The Tigers have now signed four of the top 12 players in ESPN’s transfer rankings:
- No. 7 – Barion Brown, WR (Kentucky)
- No. 9 – Mansoor Delane, CB (Virginia Tech)
- No. 11 – Nic Anderson, WR (Oklahoma)
- No. 12 – Patrick Payton, DE (Florida State)
That haul is downright scary. Brown and Anderson give LSU two elite playmakers to add to an already stacked receiver room. Delane is a lockdown corner who shores up the secondary. And Payton is the alpha dog pass rusher this defense has been missing.
Adding More Firepower on Offense & Defense
But wait, there’s more. The Tigers also landed former Oklahoma TE Bauer Sharp, a matchup nightmare at 6’6″ with silky smooth route-running ability. At RB, they scooped up productive Baylor grad transfer Bain Chitwood to pair with rising star Dean Fournette.
On defense, LSU bolstered the trenches with Texas DT Sydir Mitchell and Florida edge Jack Pyburn to complement Payton. Cornerback Ja’Keem Jackson, another Gator transfer, gives them a second SEC-ready starter opposite Delane. Even their special teams got a boost with Middle Tennessee punter Grant Chadwick.
Nussmeier Returns to Lead Reloaded Offense
Perhaps the most important news for LSU is the return of starting QB Garrett Nussmeier for the 2025 season. After a promising sophomore campaign where he tossed 25 TDs, the strong-armed Nussmeier opted to run it back for one more year and chase a national title.
With all these offensive weapons now surrounding him, Nussmeier has to be licking his chops. He could put up video game numbers in 2025 and catapult himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation. If he takes the next step in his development, this LSU offense is going to be a sight to behold.
Pushing All the Chips in for 2025
Make no mistake, the Tigers are going all-in on returning to the CFP in 2025 and competing for a national championship. After an up-and-down 8-4 season in 2024 where they climbed as high as No. 8 before faltering down the stretch, Coach Kelly knew he needed a talent infusion to get LSU over the top.
This transfer class certainly qualifies as a massive infusion of proven, high-end talent. On paper, the Tigers now look like a real threat to Alabama and Georgia in the SEC. If the new pieces gel quickly and some of the returners take a leap, LSU could be a playoff crasher next season.
Playoffs or Bust in the Bayou?
After this unbelievable transfer portal success, expectations will be through the roof in Baton Rouge. Fair or not, it feels like it’s playoffs or bust for Brian Kelly & Co. in 2025. They’ve pushed all their chips into the middle of the table with this star-studded class.
Will the big bet pay off? Can they unseat the Crimson Tide or Bulldogs and reclaim the SEC throne? Is a return to the national title game in the cards? Tiger fans are dreaming big, and it’s hard to blame them after this transfer portal windfall. The hype train will be in full effect when LSU kicks off the 2025 season.
