Behind The Scenes: How LSU Baseball Landed Ace Pitcher Luke Holman

Jay Johnson and Co. bring in the top pitcher in the Transfer Portal, ready to make immediate impact.

Jay Johnson knew the LSU baseball program was in need of a big-time pitcher via the NCAA Transfer Portal after the departure of No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, Paul Skenes.

When it came down to it, Johnson had his attention focused on Alabama ace Luke Holman.

Holman, who became the most coveted righty in the portal, immediately received a call from Johnson and the Tigers once he entered the "free agency market". 

Despite LSU still competing in Omaha at the time, Johnson took time to communicate with and prioritize Holman.

Now, Holman is a Tiger as he prepares for his first season in Baton Rouge.

How'd it all come together?

A Behind The Scenes Look:

The Visit To Baton Rouge

Holman took his fair share of visits during the recruitment process with Tennessee and Mississippi State emerging as serious threats to LSU when things ramped up.

But for Johnson and the Tigers, they knew once Holman made his way to campus for a visit, they'd make an everlasting impression, and they sure did.

“It was definitely different. They had their National Championship on the board and all that stuff. I felt comfortable. It felt really comfortable,” Holman said. “The resources are amazing as well, as they are at all the schools, but it was awesome. Baton Rouge is a great place.”

The visit, the coaching staff and the culture all made Holman feel comfortable as he enters what many expect to be his final year in college. 

A player high on 2024 MLB Draft mocks, he wanted to make sure he entered a winning culture.

The Jay Johnson Effect: Prioritizing Holman

Holman felt the love from a handful of programs during the process, but after taking time to evaluate, he took three official visits before coming to a decision.

The prized right-handed pitcher traveled to Tennessee, Mississippi State and LSU in July. 

There were special pieces about each stop, but being in constant communication with a coach of Johnson's caliber set the tone. 

“It’s cool seeing I’m valued and it’s cool seeing the champions are talking to me,"Holman told LSU Country in July. "Jay Johnson is a great guy and it’s something… It’s pretty cool.

“He’s up front. He tells you what he tells you. You can tell he cares a lot about his players. He wants to do the best for the program and do the best for you as well.”

Surrounded By Talent: Gavin Guidry Stood Out

When Holman visited Baton Rouge for his official visit, he stayed an extra day to bond with LSU two-way talent Gavin Guidry. The two hit the golf course to get in a round where Guidry "dominated" the day.

The duo had the chance to bond in another area other than just talking about baseball where Holman felt a sense of relief. He felt comfortable, which was a piece to the process that meant so much to him.

“[Gavin] is awesome. His golf game is amazing. I played pretty good and then I played with him and I didn’t play so well but he can tell you all about that,” Holman said.

Now, Holman joins the reigning National Champions with a chance to make an immediate impact in Baton Rouge. The goal all along was to join a talented team with the chance to win and the ace pitcher certainly feels he can do that down South. 

“I wanted to be on a good team as well and I want to make the guys around me better," Holman said. "I want to play with guys who are going to make me better. The development is going to be there, but to be on a team with a bunch of good guys and push me was a big thing for me as well.”