The top five transfers that negatively impacted LSU football in the 2025 transfer portal

The Top Five Transfers That Negatively Impacted LSU Football in the 2025 Transfer Portal

The 2025 college football offseason has seen an explosion of activity within the transfer portal, with players seeking better opportunities, more playing time, and new programs to further their careers. While LSU football, under Brian Kelly’s leadership, has been one of the major beneficiaries of the transfer portal—bringing in key players to enhance their roster—the portal also saw some key departures that have left significant holes in the team’s structure.

Transfers are a double-edged sword in modern college football, and LSU is no exception to the trends of gaining and losing talent. Though LSU has made great strides in assembling a competitive roster through both high school recruiting and portal additions, the departures of several key players in the 2025 transfer portal have made it a challenge to maintain the same level of dominance that the Tigers enjoyed in the past few seasons. Some of these losses have been particularly detrimental to the team’s depth, experience, and overall talent pool.

In this article, we will look at the top five transfers that negatively impacted LSU football in the 2025 transfer portal. These players’ departures created significant gaps in the Tigers’ roster and raised concerns for both the immediate future of the program and its long-term stability.

1. Kayshon Boutte – Wide Receiver

One of the most shocking and disappointing departures for LSU football in the 2025 transfer portal was wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. Considered one of the top wideouts in the country for much of his LSU career, Boutte had established himself as a dynamic, playmaking receiver. His decision to leave the program left a void that LSU would be hard-pressed to fill.

Kayshon Boutte’s time at LSU was marked by flashes of brilliance, particularly in his freshman year, when he led the Tigers in receiving yards and touchdowns. He had the potential to become a Heisman Trophy candidate, and many believed he would be a foundational piece of LSU’s offense under Brian Kelly. However, his 2023 season was marred by inconsistency and injuries. Despite those setbacks, his ability to stretch the field, create mismatches, and be a game-changer in the passing game made him a crucial part of LSU’s offense.

Boutte’s departure was particularly impactful for several reasons. First, LSU had relied heavily on his athleticism and ability to take over games. With the Tigers already having a dynamic quarterback in Jayden Daniels and a solid group of offensive linemen, Boutte was poised to be a key contributor in the passing attack for years to come. His sudden exit left a massive hole in the receiving corps that would require others to step up in his place.

Furthermore, the loss of Boutte added pressure on the remaining wide receivers, who would now be forced to take on larger roles than anticipated. LSU’s wide receiver room became thinner without Boutte, leading to an increased reliance on younger, less experienced players. While talent like Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. are expected to rise to the occasion, Boutte’s exit marked a significant gap in LSU’s passing game. His leadership and ability to make big plays will be sorely missed.

2. Ali Gaye – Defensive Line

Defensive end Ali Gaye’s decision to enter the transfer portal in 2025 also caused major concern for LSU football. Gaye had been a stalwart on the Tigers’ defensive line for multiple seasons, known for his disruptive presence in the backfield and ability to rush the passer. He was widely regarded as one of LSU’s most talented and experienced defensive players and his departure significantly weakened an already thin defensive front.

Gaye was one of the leaders of LSU’s defensive unit, both in terms of on-field performance and his role as a mentor for younger players. His physical tools, which included an explosive first step, long arms, and the ability to get to the quarterback, made him a focal point for the Tigers’ defense. His leadership in the locker room, particularly with a defense that had been undergoing significant transitions under defensive coordinator Matt House, was equally vital.

The impact of Gaye’s departure is especially felt given the importance of the defensive line in LSU’s system. The Tigers had been striving to regain their dominance along the defensive front, and losing a player like Gaye—who was projected to be a major contributor in both run defense and pass rushing—left a noticeable void. LSU’s defensive line depth was already thin in places, and Gaye’s loss put added pressure on young, unproven players to step up quickly in an SEC environment.

Though LSU has talented defensive linemen, such as Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo, Gaye’s exit left the Tigers without one of their most disruptive forces, forcing other players to pick up the slack. LSU will need to find a way to replace his impact as both a pass rusher and a leader, which could take some time to fully address.

3. Mike Jones Jr. – Linebacker

Mike Jones Jr., a linebacker who had come to LSU as a highly anticipated transfer from Clemson, had a roller-coaster career with the Tigers. Despite his immense talent and potential, Jones’ performance was inconsistent over the course of his tenure in Baton Rouge. His departure in 2025, however, was still a blow to LSU’s linebacker unit, which had been relying on him to become a leader in the middle of the defense.

Jones’ exit from LSU left the Tigers with one fewer experienced linebacker in an already depleted group. Jones had shown flashes of brilliance with his ability to cover the middle of the field, defend the run, and contribute to pass coverage. While he wasn’t a standout every week, he had the potential to be an important piece in LSU’s defense, particularly in a linebacker corps that needed experience and leadership.

With Jones now gone, LSU found itself with a thinner linebacker unit, relying on younger players to step into important roles. This became even more problematic as LSU’s defense is built on a solid linebacking corps that can cover ground, make tackles in space, and be disruptive in both the passing and running game. Without Jones, LSU needed other players to emerge and take on the leadership role, which placed additional pressure on the team’s defensive coaching staff to develop young talent quickly.

Jones’ decision to transfer out of LSU highlighted the challenges facing the program as it looked to rebuild its defense and strengthen the linebacker position. The loss of another experienced player at a crucial position further complicated the Tigers’ efforts to stay competitive in the SEC.

4. Damone Clark – Linebacker

Another linebacker who chose to transfer out of LSU in 2025 was Damone Clark, who had been a key member of the Tigers’ defense. Clark had been a high-profile recruit and had the ability to become one of the SEC’s top linebackers, with his athleticism, ability to tackle in space, and versatility in pass coverage. His decision to leave LSU, despite strong production in his previous seasons, was another significant blow to the linebacker position.

Clark’s departure was particularly problematic for LSU because of his reliability and the leadership he brought to the defense. With Clark gone, LSU had to address a major gap in the linebacker corps. The Tigers were already working with a relatively inexperienced group, and Clark’s absence created a hole that would be tough to fill. LSU had hoped that Clark would continue to be a cornerstone of their defense in 2025, but his transfer left the team in a state of flux.

The ripple effect of Clark’s departure was felt most in LSU’s run defense. He had proven to be a solid tackler and had the ability to command the defense. Without him, LSU would be forced to look to younger linebackers who had yet to prove themselves on the field, which increased the risk of a drop-off in defensive performance. As LSU looked to rebuild its defense, losing a player of Clark’s caliber was a setback that required immediate attention from the coaching staff.

5. Mekhi Garner – Cornerback

Finally, cornerback Mekhi Garner’s transfer out of LSU in 2025 also raised significant concerns. Garner had been a key contributor in the secondary for LSU, known for his physicality, ability to lock down wide receivers, and his experience in high-pressure situations. As the Tigers looked to shore up their defensive backfield, losing a player of Garner’s caliber was a substantial blow.

Garner’s decision to leave LSU left the Tigers thin at cornerback, particularly in the wake of other departures and injuries that had already stretched their depth. Cornerbacks play a crucial role in LSU’s defense, especially in the high-flying SEC, where passing attacks are prolific. Without Garner, LSU was forced to rely on younger players with less experience in high-stakes games, which placed increased pressure on their secondary.

While LSU has a wealth of talent in the defensive backfield, the loss of an experienced, physically gifted cornerback like Garner exposed a vulnerability in the defense that could become a concern as they faced off against some of the nation’s top offenses. Replacing Garner’s shutdown ability would not be easy, and LSU’s defensive coaching staff had to work quickly to fill the void left by his departure.