Brian Kelly, the head football coach at LSU, placed all of the “defensive eggs” in one basket through the transfer portal.

As college football continues to evolve, the importance of roster management has never been more apparent. With the rise of the transfer portal, head coaches across the country are forced to find new ways to build their teams. For Brian Kelly, head coach of the LSU Tigers, the transfer portal has become an essential tool in reshaping the program, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Kelly’s approach to team-building is multifaceted, but his decision to focus a large portion of LSU’s defensive future on the transfer portal is one of the most strategic—and, at times, controversial—decisions of his tenure at LSU so far. In this article, we’ll break down how Kelly’s reliance on the transfer portal has impacted LSU’s defensive strategy, what this means for the program moving forward, and whether it’s a calculated risk or a potential gamble.

The Transfer Portal Era: A New Recruiting Frontier

Before diving into the specifics of Kelly’s decision, it’s important to first understand the broader impact of the NCAA transfer portal on college football. The transfer portal, established in 2018, has drastically altered the landscape of recruiting, providing athletes with the ability to transfer between schools without the typical penalties or restrictions that existed in the past. This new avenue has allowed college coaches to be more strategic and proactive in acquiring talent, especially when their roster faces gaps due to injury, graduation, or underperformance.

While recruiting high school talent remains the backbone of any program, the transfer portal offers a shortcut to improving a roster immediately. Teams can land players with college experience, avoiding the typical growing pains that come with developing younger, less experienced recruits. For LSU, a school with championship aspirations, the transfer portal has become a vital tool in improving the defense—particularly in positions where the Tigers needed an immediate upgrade.

Brian Kelly’s Defensive Needs at LSU

Since Brian Kelly took over as head coach at LSU in 2022, the program has been working through several transitions. The Tigers needed to adjust to a new culture, a new coaching staff, and new strategies on both sides of the ball. On the defensive side, LSU faced immediate challenges.

1. Loss of Key Players: The Tigers lost several key defensive players to the NFL draft, including stalwarts on the defensive line, linebacker, and secondary positions. To keep up with the SEC, known for its high-powered offenses, LSU needed to find a way to replace the lost talent quickly and effectively.
2. Inconsistent Defensive Play: Under previous coaching regimes, LSU’s defense had often been among the nation’s best. However, in recent years, there were signs of defensive inconsistency. The Tigers’ defense had become vulnerable at times, struggling to contain high-powered offenses from teams like Alabama, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State. Kelly needed to restore the defense to its elite status.
3. SEC Competition: The SEC is a beast. With powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, LSU has always had to keep pace with the conference’s top-tier programs, especially in the trenches and in the secondary. The only way to maintain relevancy and compete for championships was to significantly bolster the defense.

The Strategy: Focusing on Defensive Transfers

In a world where many coaches use the transfer portal to fill holes on their rosters, Brian Kelly’s strategy at LSU involved placing a heavy emphasis on bolstering the defensive side of the ball. Instead of relying on traditional high school recruiting or developing depth from within the program, Kelly saw the portal as the fastest way to address LSU’s defensive needs. He didn’t just dabble in the portal; he went all in.

By bringing in a series of impact players from the transfer portal, Kelly significantly altered the course of LSU’s defense. His willingness to focus on defensive transfers not only set the tone for the 2023 season but also shaped the program’s recruiting approach moving forward.

Key Defensive Transfers Under Kelly

1. Harold Perkins Jr. (Transfer from LSU’s Class of 2023)

While technically a freshman, Harold Perkins Jr. arrived at LSU with immediate impact expectations and delivered on that promise. Although he wasn’t a transfer portal acquisition, Perkins was a key player in LSU’s defensive rebuild, and his development showcased Kelly’s ability to recruit talent at a high level. However, his addition to the program in Kelly’s early years at LSU reflects the larger strategy that Kelly has adopted—prioritizing players who can make an instant impact.

2. Omar Speights (Transfer from Oregon State)

One of the most notable transfer acquisitions under Kelly was Omar Speights, a linebacker from Oregon State, who came to Baton Rouge with a wealth of experience. Speights was one of the best linebackers in the Pac-12, and Kelly knew he could step in and contribute right away in the heart of LSU’s defense. His leadership, ability to read offenses, and tackling prowess gave LSU a key player who could not only improve the Tigers’ linebacker corps but also provide invaluable leadership.

3. Javon Thomas (Transfer from Tennessee)

In the secondary, Kelly brought in Javon Thomas from Tennessee to help shore up a defensive backfield that had shown vulnerability in recent seasons. Thomas, who had a strong showing in the SEC with the Volunteers, provided LSU with a veteran presence and the ability to cover elite receivers. His physicality and coverage skills were crucial for a team facing some of the nation’s top passing offenses.

4. Mekhi Wingo (Transfer from Missouri)

Perhaps one of Kelly’s most significant additions was Mekhi Wingo, a defensive lineman who transferred from Missouri. Wingo’s ability to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks and disrupt the running game immediately bolstered LSU’s defensive line. His powerful performance in the trenches allowed LSU to continue competing at a high level while filling a critical gap left by players who departed to the NFL.

5. Jarrick Bernard-Converse (Transfer from Oklahoma State)

The addition of Jarrick Bernard-Converse from Oklahoma State gave LSU’s secondary a boost in both experience and talent. As a multi-year starter in the Big 12, Bernard-Converse brought maturity and stability to LSU’s defensive backfield. His presence helped solidify a position group that had been inconsistent in recent years.

Why Kelly Went All-In on Defensive Transfers

Brian Kelly’s decision to focus on transfers for his defense can be explained by several factors:

1. Immediate Needs and Instant Impact: Kelly recognized that LSU’s defense needed immediate improvements to remain competitive in the SEC. High school recruits may take a few years to develop, and in the high-pressure environment of LSU football, there was no time to wait. The portal allowed Kelly to plug immediate holes and bring in experienced players who could step into starting roles right away.
2. SEC-Level Competition: The SEC is notorious for producing some of the most talented offensive units in the country, and LSU needed to be able to keep pace with rivals like Alabama, Georgia, and Ole Miss. While LSU has a rich tradition of developing great defenses, Kelly needed to ensure that his team could compete with the offensive juggernauts in the conference. The transfer portal provided him with the chance to secure experienced, ready-to-play athletes who could help elevate the defense.
3. Player Development and Depth: With a focus on transfers, Kelly could fill immediate needs without having to rely solely on development from within. Of course, player development remains crucial, but the transfer portal allowed LSU to secure proven players while continuing to develop young talent from the high school ranks. Depth in the trenches and in the secondary was a concern, and Kelly was able to address it through the portal.
4. Offensive Firepower: LSU had its sights set on returning to offensive relevance, and part of that strategy included building a defense that could support a high-scoring offense. To do that, LSU’s defense needed to be strong, fast, and versatile—traits that Kelly was able to find in the transfer portal.

The Risks of Relying on the Transfer Portal

While Brian Kelly’s reliance on the transfer portal has had positive results, it’s not without its risks. Some of the challenges associated with focusing on transfer players include:

1. Short-Term Solutions: Transfers are often short-term fixes, and while they provide immediate help, they can’t replace long-term development. With a focus on transfers, Kelly may risk not building a sustainable defense that can thrive in the future.
2. Team Chemistry and Culture: Integrating transfer players into a program’s culture can sometimes be a challenge. Transfers are often coming from programs with different systems, coaching styles, and team environments, and it can take time for them to adjust to the culture at LSU. This is a risk that Kelly has to manage carefully, ensuring that the newcomers blend well with the existing players.
3. Inconsistent Results: While transfers can provide immediate impact, not all of them pan out. For every success story like Mekhi Wingo or Omar Speights, there may be a transfer that doesn’t live up to expectations. LSU’s defense is only as strong as the players they bring in, and the portal can sometimes be a gamble.

The Future of LSU Football’s Defense Under Brian Kelly

As Kelly continues to build the LSU football program, his reliance on the transfer portal for defensive talent is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. The portal provides an opportunity for immediate improvement, especially in a competitive conference like the SEC. However, as the Tigers move forward, Kelly will need to balance the immediate need for transfer players with the long-term goal of developing homegrown talent and maintaining program stability.

By continuing to find the right blend of young recruits and experienced transfers, Brian Kelly is positioning LSU for success both now and in the future. The transfer portal is a tool that allows LSU to remain competitive in an ever-changing college football landscape, but it’s up to Kelly and his staff to use it wisely as they aim to build a perennial contender on both sides of the ball.