There has been another surprise wave of movement just as the transfer portal was starting to fade. Many of Nick Saban’s former recruits visited the portal following his announcement that he would be leaving his position as head coach of the University of Alabama. The pattern continued when Arizona head coach Jedd Fisch took over DeBoer’s former Seattle post, and the same thing happened when Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer replaced Saban. The incoming class of athletes has significantly altered the college football scene for the upcoming year. Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers football team are one coach and institution that could seize this fantastic chance.
It’s too late for LSU football to add to their roster, but they haven’t been able to take advantage of the blue-chip athletes that have recently entered the portal. They will have to because they currently have a number of players scheduled to go to the NFL Draft in 2024. Although there aren’t many elite players on the portal right now, there are a few players that could be very beneficial to the Tigers in the upcoming campaign.
Quarterback Will Rogers
The quarterback position will be the most important one for the Tigers to replace in 2019. Jayden Daniels been so successful in 2023 that, following his Heisman Trophy victory, he will probably hear his name called in the top five of the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s the second LSU quarterback to win the Heisman trophy after transferring to Baton Rouge late in his college career; Joe Burrow previously pulled off the feat. The tremendous success that transfer quarterbacks have had could be a big draw for Will Rogers to attempt and emulate them.
Although Will Rogers’ record isn’t the best among quarterbacks to come through the transfer portal, it is still quite good. Rogers has completed 69% of his passes in his career. Although he hasn’t yet recorded a season with an average of more than seven yards per attempt, he has amassed 12,315 yards in four seasons and tossed 94 touchdowns against just 28 interceptions.
In addition, Rogers has four seasons of experience in the SEC West, which is the division that LSU plays in. He was highly wanted in the portal, has a ton of experience, and has really strong numbers. When Rogers first accessed the portal, he was considering becoming Michael Penix Jr.’s replacement at the University of Washington. However, once Kalen DeBoer transferred to the University of Alabama, Rogers revisited the portal. Rogers is the best option the LSU football team has at this point to replace Jayden Daniels.
Kevon Darton, Linebacker on Defence
Apart from losing Jayden Daniels and two outstanding wide receivers, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., LSU will also lose two starting defensive linemen, Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo, to the NFL Draft in 2024. Fortunately, Smith and Wingo have choices for possible replacements. Kevon Darton, a former defensive tackle for Syracuse, is one of them.
Darton had a fantastic season with the Orange in 2023, which was his breakthrough year. He was the team leader in sacks as an interior defensive lineman, accounting for five of them. Prior to 2023, he has never had a single sack in his career. In addition, Darton caused and recovered a fumble in addition to recording eight tackles for loss. In 2024, Darton can have a significant effect on the Tigers right away. They would be losing a number of defensive lineman, thus adding Darton would be a wise move.
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