LSU Football Must Target Five-Star South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart Amid Recent Buzz

Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are preparing to hit the NCAA Transfer Portal with force in January as roster reconstruction continues in Baton Rouge.

Once Kiffin arrived in the Bayou State on Nov. 30, the new shot-caller of the Tigers wasted no time in attacking the recruiting trail after inking 14 signees to the 2026 Recruiting Class.

But January's NCAA Transfer Portal is set to unleash a different approach with Kiffin and Co. looking to open a treasure chest full of roster cash to potential targets.

“[LSU AD Verge Ausberry] and his team had a really, really good plan,” Kiffin said on Dec. 1. “Even talking to some donors that are part of that plan here to see exactly, how does that work? There’s a great plan here.

"There’s a great plan here of how we can come together with what we bring and with what players around the country want to play for us and our systems, and then have that support to do that, so that they want to play for us and they get taken care of financially.

LSU Tigers Football. — Dec 1, 2025; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU president Wade Rousse, left, LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry stand together at South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

“Obviously, nowadays, it’s the world of college football and it’s important and it’s critical to them. It’s important to them. This was the best setup. That definitely played a factor into it. I don’t care what your systems are. Without good players, they don’t work.”

There could be a boost in the program's push for defensive pieces amid an expected hire on Kiffin's staff.

LSU is targeting South Carolina defensive assistant coach Sterling Lucas to join the staff in Baton Rouge, according to multiple reports.

Lucas, one of the Southeastern Conference's top defensive coaches, has assisted in the development of multiple prospects in Columbia - including a slew of NFL Draft selections.

The Gamecocks staffer has emerged as one of the SEC's most effective defensive line coaches across five seasons at South Carolina - with the last four of them as the on-field assistant coach.

Across the last four years Lucas was responsible for the Gamecocks' ends, outside linebackers and as running game coordinator.

News: #LSU is targeting South Carolina defensive assistant Sterling Lucas to join Lane Kiffin’s staff, according to @FootballScoop.

Lucas has emerged as the top target in Kiffin’s pursuit of a new defensive line coach.

The respected SEC assistant would be a significant get. pic.twitter.com/iFMT8ejprH
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) December 19, 2025

Why would this be such a significant hire if it gets over the finish line?

Lucas was the primary recruiter for former five-star defensive lineman Dylan Stewart. Could he follow his position coach to Baton Rouge amid the recent buzz of him joining Kiffin's staff?

Stewart started in all 11 of the games he played in this season and had 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 19 solo tackles, but is coming off of a domiant true freshman campaign.

Across the 2024 season, Stewart logged 33 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles as a true freshman in the SEC.

Now, with Lucas expected to take the LSU Tigers defensive line coaching gig, could Stewart follow? Time will tell, but social media continues buzzing surrounding the potential move.

More LSU News:

LSU Football Wide Receiver, Oklahoma Transfer Labeled 'Biggest Bust' in Portal

Lane Kiffin Pulls Off Historic Recruiting Feat Amid First Month With LSU Football

Lane Kiffin Reveals How Nick Saban, Pete Carroll Influenced Decision to LSU Football

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