Identifying potential LSU football transfer targets

To borrow an iconic U.S. Marine slogan, “We’re looking for a few good men.”

It certainly applies to every college football coach in the country at this time. The transfer portal window opened April 15. It closes again April 30.

LSU has already addressed some needs for 2023 in the early transfer portal opportunity, signing 12. The Tigers could sign as few as four or as many as 10 more, depending on potential roster defections of their own after spring practice ends April 22.

We’ll look at some potential fits currently in the portal.

Sophomore starter Mason Taylor and three signees from the 2023 class – Mac Markway, Ka’ Morreun Pimpton and Jackson McGohan – provide talented options but little total experience at the tight end spot. Markway and McGohan arrived in time for spring drills. To look for a veteran makes sense for the depth chart.

Var’Keyes Gumms, a 6-foot-3, 230 pounder from North Texas, was a a ’22 signee offered by LSU while at DeKaney High in Houston. He grabbed 34 passes for 458 yards and five scores as a true freshman in ’22 for the Mean Green, earning second-team Freshman All American honors and first-team All-Conference USA as well.

If LSU looks to add more experience to the mix at offensive line, former San Diego State RT/OG Josh Simmons (6-6, 305), a one time commit to Oregon, made 13 starts at right tackle in ’22 for the Aztecs. An excellent pass blocker, he has pro football potential.

Troy Everett (6-3, 285), who played center at Appalachian State, has three years of eligibility remain. Illinois and Louisville have already extended offers.

Cam’Ron Johnson (6-4, 305) was a backup for the Universite of Houston in 2021 but started 13 contests at left guard in 2022 for the Cougars, allowing one sack. He has two years of eligibility.

Lyndell Hudson (6-6, 300), who played right tackle for Florida International, also has two more years of eligibility. He has made 18 starts but was injured for part of last season when he made five games. Once weighing 351 pounds, he has slimmed down and show greater promise.

Left tackle Willie Tyler III (6-6, 325), most recently at Rutgers, has one more year to play. He thought about entering the 2023 NFL Draft and received a late third day grade. Tyler began his career at Iowa Western JUCO prior to moving to Texas and finally UL-Monroe. A mauler as an aggressive run blocker, Tyler uses his hands well as a pass protector. He can maintain his blocks in space.

Keon Kindred (6-5, 291), a tackle out of Maryland, still has four years of eligibility. LSU already has secured his ex-teammate Mason Lunsford, scheduled to arrive in June.

Defensive line is another area where LSU head coach Brian Kelly is interested in adding depth.

Jeffrey M’ba (6-6, 307), a native of Gabon, Africa, just landed at Auburn in the 2022 class from Independence JUCO. He was rated the top overall JUCO player and has tools to succeed in the NFL but needs experience. In nine games for Auburn at tackle, he totaled six tackles and a sack. Powerful and athletic, M’ba has just begun his football journey after starting to play the game just four years ago while in France.

Another SEC tackle, Bear Alexander (6-3, 325), played 12 games for the Georgia Bulldogs as a true freshman last season. He had nine stops and a pair of sacks. Alexander had a good performance on the biggest stage in the CFB National Championship game against TCU. The former four-star prospect in the ’22 class out of IMG Academy has current strong interest from USC and Texas.

Jeffery Clark (6-0, 276) out of Georgia State is a versatile player. Don’t be fooled by his tweener listed size. In 33 games, he has accumulated 93 tackles with 19.5 for loss and 9.5 sacks. Against Southern Miss last season, Clark recorded 2.0 sacks and 2.5 TFL.

Former Minnesota defensive tackle DeAngelo “Trill” Carter (6-2, 300), a product of Leesburg, Ga., has played in 32 games for the Gophers with 50 tackles and 3.0 sacks. He clogs the middle and has a good burst off the ball. He would be a nice addition for depth.

Byron Vaughns (6-3, 225), defensive end out of Utah State with one year of eligibility, spent three years at Texas before playing the last two with the Aggies. During his time at Utah State, he collected 100 tackles with 19.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He has already visited Notre Dame.

Edge rusher Cam Robertson (6-4, 238) made the 2022 CUSA All Freshman team at North Texas. In 14 games, he had 15 tackles and a sack. He has three more seasons to play.

The secondary is another spot that Kelly could address.

Boston College nickelback Josh DeBerry (5-11, 177) with one year of eligibility has played 39 college games. He made 158 tackles and four interceptions. With 4.5 speed, he is a ball hawk with excellent route recognition skills. Very instinctive, he tracks the ball, mirrors receivers and handles roles in press coverage. DeBerry has already visited Texas A&M.

Strong safety Anthony Wilson (5-10, 200) has two years of eligibility. In 2022 for Georgia Southern, he accounted for 102 stops, 3.5 tackles for loss and one interception. In 36 starts, Wilson has totaled 241 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 3.0 sacks, 20 passes broken up, two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.

Purdue, Tulane, SMU, Pittsburgh, Duke, UConn, Minnesota, Tennessee, Louisville, UCF and West Virginia are already interested in Wilson.