Honestly, if you've been watching the Bayou Bengals lately, you know the vibe is shifting. It isn't just about winning games on Saturdays anymore; it's about the relentless, almost frantic pace of the recruiting trail. The latest LSU football recruiting news is basically a whirlwind of five-star commits and a transfer portal haul that looks more like a professional roster rebuild than a college program. Lane Kiffin—yeah, the "Portal King" himself—is now at the helm in Baton Rouge as of early 2026, and he is doing exactly what everyone expected: breaking the internet every other hour.
We just saw the transfer portal window for the 2026 cycle "unofficially" close its main rush on January 16, and the numbers are staggering. LSU has secured 37 portal commitments. To put that in perspective, that is nearly as many as the program took in the previous three years combined. Kiffin isn't just "adding depth." He’s hunting big fish.
The Quarterback Room Just Got Crowded
The headline grabber this week was the arrival of Sam Leavitt from Arizona State. He’s the No. 1 ranked quarterback in the portal, and he chose the Tigers over a dozen other high-profile suitors. But Kiffin didn't stop there. Just days later, Husan Longstreet—a former five-star who spent a year at USC—decided he wanted in on the action too.
It creates a fascinating, if not slightly chaotic, situation for spring practice. Leavitt is currently nursing an injury, which means Longstreet is going to get a massive share of the first-team reps. You've got two guys who could start for 90% of the teams in the country fighting for one spot. It’s the kind of "good problem" that keeps coaches awake but fans thrilled.
📖 Related: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Locking Down the Boot: The 2026 High School Class
While the portal is flashy, the high school recruiting for the 2026 class is where the long-term foundation is being poured. LSU is currently sitting with the No. 1 ranked class in the SEC, and a big reason for that is the "Louisiana Trio."
- Lamar Brown: A 6-foot-4, 290-pound mountain from University Lab right here in Baton Rouge. He’s the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the country. Most people see him as a future first-round NFL pick before he even steps on a college field.
- Richard Anderson: Coming out of Edna Karr in New Orleans, Anderson is a defensive tackle who basically lived in the opponent's backfield last season. He’s a consensus top-25 player nationally.
- Jabari Mack: The Destrehan product is arguably the best wideout in the state. He's got that specific "LSU receiver" twitch that reminds people of Malik Nabers or Justin Jefferson.
It’s sorta rare to see a staff lock down the top three players in Louisiana this early, but the 2026 group seems different. They’re vocal. They’re recruiting for the Tigers themselves on social media. It feels like a movement.
The Friday Night Portal Frenzy
If you were on Twitter (or X, whatever we're calling it this week) on Friday, January 16, your notifications probably didn't stop. LSU landed five commitments in a single day.
👉 See also: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest name among them? TJ Dottery. The former Ole Miss linebacker followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge after recording 98 tackles last season. He’s a veteran presence for a defense that has, frankly, been a bit leaky over the last couple of years. Then you have Faheem Delane, a safety from Ohio State. If that name sounds familiar, it's because his brother, Mansoor, was a star for the Tigers.
Recent Transfer Portal Additions (January 2026)
- Sam Leavitt (QB, Arizona State) - No. 1 overall portal prospect.
- Husan Longstreet (QB, USC) - Elite arm talent, former 5-star.
- TJ Dottery (LB, Ole Miss) - 27-game starter with 174 career tackles.
- Faheem Delane (S, Ohio State) - Top-10 safety prospect with four years of eligibility.
- Devin Harper (OT, Ole Miss) - Massively experienced SEC starter.
- Aliou Bah (OL, Maryland) - Huge frame (6-6, 325) to bolster the interior.
What Most People Get Wrong About LSU Recruiting
There’s a common misconception that LSU just "gets" the best players because of the brand. That isn't how it works anymore. In 2026, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) is the oxygen the program breathes.
LSU's NIL collective has had to become one of the most aggressive in the country to keep up with the likes of Texas, Oregon, and Ohio State. When you see a guy like Jackson Cantwell—the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2026 class—visiting Baton Rouge, you have to realize there’s a massive financial and branding machine working behind the scenes. It’s not just about the "Death Valley" atmosphere; it’s about the business of football.
✨ Don't miss: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
Why the Secondary is the Priority
If you look at the latest LSU football recruiting news, you’ll notice a heavy emphasis on defensive backs. Corey Raymond is back, and he is hunting. Landing Havon Finney Jr. out of California was a statement. He's a top-10 cornerback who reclassified into the 2026 group.
Then you’ve got Aiden Hall and Isaiah Washington already in the fold. LSU is trying to reclaim the "DBU" title, and they’re doing it by overhauling the room with length and speed. They are no longer settling for "project" players; they are going after finished products or elite athletes they can mold.
The Road Ahead: Actionable Insights for Fans
The 2026 cycle is far from over, but the trajectory is clear. Here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next few months:
- The Spring Game: This will be the first time we see Leavitt and Longstreet go head-to-head. The winner of this battle likely dictates the direction of the offense for the next two years.
- The "Must-Haves": Keep a very close eye on Blaine Bradford. He's the No. 1 safety in America and a Baton Rouge native (Catholic High). If LSU misses on him, it'll be a massive blow to the "State Border" recruiting strategy.
- The February Signing Period: While many have already signed, a few high-school targets are waiting until the traditional February date. Any late flips could push LSU from a top-5 class to the undisputed No. 1 spot.
- Retention: In the age of the portal, recruiting your own roster is just as important as recruiting new kids. Keeping stars like Daniel Hill and Keon Sabb on campus was a huge win for the staff this January.
Basically, LSU is betting big on the "Kiffin Effect" and a "Pro-Style" approach to roster management. It’s aggressive, it’s expensive, and it’s a little bit risky—but for a fan base that expects championships, it's exactly what they wanted to see.
To stay ahead, make sure you're following the verified local beat writers and checking the official scholarship numbers, as the 85-man limit is trickier than ever to manage with 37+ portal additions. The roster you see today might look 20% different by the time August camp rolls around.