LSU Tigers Transfer Class Is Already Producing Major Fall Camp Battles

In today’s college football, August brings the same headline about transfer hauls, but rankings don’t mean much once pads are popping in fall camp. With LSU being three weeks into fall camp, real separation has started to show up on the depth chart, not just on paper.

Lane Kiffin overhauled close to 60 roster spots this offseason, and the No. 1 transfer class in the country was the headline of that rebuild. Now that defensive coordinator Blake Baker and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. have actual reps to evaluate, a clearer picture is emerging of who has already outplayed their billing and who is still finding their footing.

The fall has been about which newcomers have already locked down bigger roles than expected, and which ones are still auditioning for a role at all.

The Winners

Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross arrived as name-brand additions at defensive end, but even their own coordinator sounds surprised by how fast they’ve taken over. Baker said he has seen a lot of growth in both since they showed up in the spring, a notable statement given the position was viewed as a depth question just months ago.

Jordan Seaton walked into Baton Rouge as one of the most decorated offensive line transfers in the country, and nothing in camp has suggested he’s anything but a Week 1 starter. The same goes for Kansas State product Jayce Brown, who has taken hold of the top wide receiver job in an overhauled receiver room simply by doing what he did at his last stop: showing up as a reliable, every-week target for quarterback Sam Leavitt.

On the interior defensive line, Auburn transfer Malik Blocton has pushed his way into a high rotational role rather than sitting as camp-body depth. Baker’s staff has folded him in alongside other newcomers Lamar Brown and Richard Anderson, and that competition has only sharpened as August has worn on.

Then there’s the quarterback room itself. Leavitt didn’t need long to make Kiffin comfortable handing him the keys, with the head coach saying simply that he’s pleased with his fall camp and how he looks.

The Fighters

Reciever Malik Elzy 88 LSU Football practice. August 18, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Not every big-name transfer has separated yet, and the receiver room is the clearest example. Kiffin brought in nine new targets and made clear that no one had a head start, meaning players like Eugene Wilson III, Tre’ Brown III and Malik Elzy are all still auditioning for real snaps rather than assuming them after coming from big programs.

Weis backed that up when he described the room as deep but uneven, saying a few guys have stood out while others flash but are still searching to make a few more plays.

At cornerback, the depth corner competition remains wide open after Aidan Anding’s Achilles injury reshuffled the room. Ja’Keem Jackson, Michael Turner, Havon Finney Jr. and JUCO addition Lavonte Williams are all still competing for a role that was supposed to be spoken for by now.

The backup quarterback race has been similarly unsettled. Elon transfer Landen Clark came in expected to push for real snaps behind Leavitt, but freshman Husan Longstreet has reportedly pulled ahead in that race, leaving Clark’s role smaller than his billing suggested.

The Battle of Newcomers

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Faheem Delane (10) defends Grambling State Tigers tight end Covadis Knighten (9) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. Ohio State won 70-0. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Some of the most important transfer additions still don’t have a settled role or an idea of where they’ll stand for Week 1, and that’s by design as much as anything else.

Baker has praised the growth of his safety group, but he’s also been candid that depth there was a genuine concern entering camp. That left spots for newcomers to have real chances to claim bigger jobs before the opener.

Weis has leaned on the chemistry between Leavitt and returning tight end Trey’Dez Green as a stabilizing force while the rest of the offense sorts itself out, saying the two “have really good chemistry” that lets the staff move Green around the formation.

That dynamic duo gives Kiffin’s staff cover to keep experimenting with newcomers around them without rushing anyone into a role they aren’t ready for.

With the season opener quickly approaching, LSU’s coaching staff is running out of practices to make final calls. But if the first three weeks of fall camp are any indication, it’s clear that this transfer class will be all over the field all season.

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