Promising Young LSU Football Linebacker Pulls Out Of Portal, Returning To Tigers

LSU Tigers linebacker Jaiden Braker has inked a new deal with the program and will pull his name out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to CBS Sports.

Braker signed with the LSU program as a Top-10 linebacker in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle where he chose the Bayou Bengals over the likes of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, South Carolina Gamecocks, and Auburn Tigers, among several others involved in his process.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder redshirted across his first season with the LSU program where he played in five games - totaling two tackles on the season with both coming against Southeastern Louisiana.

Then, after one season in Baton Rouge, Braker revealed initial intentions of departing the program with a plan of entering the NCAA Transfer Portal - but the promising youngster has now reversed course and will be back with the Tigers in 2026.

LSU has seen over 25 members of the 2025 roster enter the free agent market as Lane Kiffin retools his program this offseason - looking to build a championship roster.

LSU freshman linebacker Jaiden Braker has agreed to a new deal with the Tigers and will now remain at LSU instead of transferring, his agency @AgencyOneSports tells @CBSSports.

Braker, who is repped by @Agentbutler1, ranked as a top-135 overall recruit in the 2025 class. https://t.co/lmqnBT9oVf pic.twitter.com/0m1CCJfuPY
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 7, 2026

“This place is built for championships with championship expectations. We understand that, but as an elite competitor, that’s exactly what you want, and that’s why we’re here,” Kiffin said at his introductory press conference. …

"I know that we have, with the passion of LSU family and our LSU players, that we have everything to bring championship football back to LSU.

“It’s time for LSU to take its place back as the best program in all of college football. … I’m uniquely prepared at 50 years old for this job to have been so many places, done good things, made a lot of mistakes and made them really early on.”

The Departures [29]: Transfer Portal Edition

- Kylan Billiot: Wide Receiver
- Jelani Watkins: Wide Receiver
- Ashton Stamps: Cornerback
- Ahmad Breaux: Defensive Lineman
- Wallace Foster IV: Cornerback
- Sydir Mitchell: Defensive Lineman
- Ju'Juan Johnson: Running Back
- Kaleb Jackson: Running Back
- Colin Hurley: Quarterback
- Carius Curne: Offensive Lineman
- Coen Echols: Offensive Lineman
- Javien Toviano: Safety
- DJ Chester - Offensive Lineman
- Austin Ausberry - Safety
- Paul Mubenga - Offensive Lineman
- Ory Williams - Offensive Lineman
- Princeton Malbrue: Linebacker
- Khayree Lee: Offensive Lineman
- Joel Rogers: Safety
- Donovan Green: Tight End
- Kyle Parker: Wide Receiver
- Destyn Hill: Wide Receiver
- Ethan Calloway: Offensive Lineman
- Caden Durham: Running Back
- JT Lindsey: Running Back
- Michael Van Buren: Quarterback
- Zion Williams: Defensive Line
- TaRon Francis: Wide Receiver
- Aeron Burrell: Kicker

More LSU News:

LSU Hosts No. 1 EDGE Transfer as Lane Kiffin Pushes For Ex-Penn State Defender

LSU Football Hosting Elite Florida Gators Transfer For Visit, Former Five-Star Recruit

Arkansas Razorbacks, Kentucky Wildcats Among Teams to Watch for LSU Football Transfer

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU Tigers.