BATON ROUGE — Following the conclusion of the 2025 college football season, LSU football has officially welcomed new head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin, who previously led Ole Miss and was pursued by both Florida and Florida State, made the decision to join the Tigers, with his hiring announced on December 1 after being finalized on November 30.
As Kiffin steps into his new role, roster management becomes a crucial priority, particularly with the impending opening of the transfer portal on January 2. Kiffin, recognized for his effective use of the transfer portal during his tenure at Ole Miss, is expected to make significant moves as he shapes his inaugural team in Baton Rouge.
Amid these changes, several LSU players have announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal. Defensive back and versatile player Ju’Juan Johnson, who served as a key backup at tailback this past season, is among them. Johnson recorded 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns during his time at LSU.
Freshman standout Ahmad Breaux, who experienced a less prominent role in 2025 but contributed with 19 tackles, is also set to leave. Stamps, a former starting cornerback who lost his position after the addition of Mansoor Delane, will seek a new opportunity after redshirting last season. Additionally, speedster Jelani Watkins, known for his track talent but limited playing time, and Kylan Billiot, a former four-star wide receiver recruit who has struggled for game time, will also be entering the portal.
Kiffin’s expertise with the transfer portal could lead to exciting developments for the LSU program as they look to build on their performance and enhance the roster for the upcoming season. The community and fans remain optimistic as they anticipate the new direction and potential of the Tigers under Kiffin’s leadership.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for the Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his updates on Twitter for the latest news regarding LSU athletics.