LSU Prioritizing Louisiana Natives With Portal Haul

Brian Kelly has made it a point to bring in Louisiana natives via the portal, done a tremendous job this offseason.

Brian Kelly and Co. continue attacking the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason, but there’s been a specific plan of attack when it comes to reeling in their targets.

LSU has seen success in the portal over the last two offseasons and their trend of securing Louisiana natives has been a key piece in doing so. This offseason, we’ve seen Kelly land five elite transfers who are natives of the state, a key piece of criteria this coaching staff is looking for when evaluating players in the portal.

The Tigers added Tulane/McNeese State transfer Andre Sam and ex-Notre Dame star Logan Diggs last week, adding to the flurry of Louisiana prospects to commit to the purple and gold.

Along with Sam and Diggs, LSU also brought in former Alabama wide receiver Aaron Anderson, Southeastern's Zy Alexander and Florida’s Jalen Lee as the five in-state portal players to take their talents to Death Valley.

The five newbies bring a new element to this program on the field, but the culture fit is another piece Coach Kelly and his staff enjoy most when it comes to bringing in Louisiana players.

A dive into what each bring the Tigers:

Aaron Anderson - Wide Receiver - New Orleans, La.

Anderson, a New Orleans native and former 5-star recruit, entered the portal in December and wasted no time in committing back to LSU. Prior to his commitment to Alabama, he was committed to Ed Orgeron and LSU, but once the coaching change occurred he reopened his recruitment before pledging to the Crimson Tide.

Fast forward a year later and the Tigers now attain a player with tremendous upside both as a vertical threat on offense, but a lethal special teams weapon as well.

Anderson attended Edna Karr High School in New Orleans where he showcased his electrifying athleticism as a kick returner. A position of need for the Tigers after their special teams woes last season, Anderson looks to be a guy who can fill that role almost instantly.

Aside from his gifts on the football field, the commitment of Anderson proves Kelly’s desire to continue pursuing Louisiana athletes in the portal. A New Orleans legend, to secure the former 5-star wide receiver is a massive win for this program going forward.

Looking ahead, LSU’s receiving corps is something special heading into 2023. With Anderson sitting alongside Malik Nabers, Kyren Lacy, Brian Thomas and more, this program returns one of the top wide receiver rooms in the country.

Anderson has the chance to burst onto the scene rather quickly if given the volume. A physical speedster, his ability to catch the ball at its highest point is what makes him such a gifted receiver, but in open space it’s a completely different story.

Coming out of high school, it was his speed that made him so difficult to slow down. Whether it be on slants across the middle or a quick screen, once the ball is in Anderson’s hands, good luck.

Logan Diggs - Running Back - Boutte, La.

Diggs is fresh off of his best season with Notre Dame. After rushing for 821 rushing yards on a team-high 165 carries, while scoring four touchdowns and averaging five yards per carry, Diggs quickly became a hot name on the market before Kelly and Co. secured the coveted running back.

The 6-foot, 214-pounder has been durable throughout his college career, and entering an LSU running back room that has battled the injury bug as of late, he has the chance to come in and earn RB1 duties immediately.

Diggs proved what he’s capable of during his time with the Fighting Irish. Kelly has seen it. All of Louisiana has seen it. Now, he has the chance to prove it in the purple and gold that he can take his game to the next level in Baton Rouge.

Diggs is a back who can make plays in the passing game whether it’s picking up a block to protect Jayden Daniels or catch a ball out of the backfield and turn it up field for a positive yardage play.

He accumulated over 200 yards receiving last season with Notre Dame, and entering an offense that is successful in the short passing game, he could flourish in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s system.

Whether it’s showing how dynamic of a running back he is with his rushing attack or making positive plays in the receiving game, Diggs’ versatility is a piece that makes him such a lethal force in this system moving forward.

Zy Alexander - Cornerback - Loreauville, La.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound cornerback out of Loreauville, La has had a productive career with the Southeastern Lions as he looks to carry his success to Baton Rouge:

2022 First Team All-Southland Conference

2021 Second Team FCS All-America (Stats Perform)

2021 Third Team FCS All-America (AP)

2021 First Team All-Southland Conference

2021 First Team All-Louisiana

Alexander took reps with the first team defense during spring ball with the chance to be LSU’s starting boundary cornerback in 2023.

Andre Sam - Safety - Iowa, La.

Sam has a nose for the football in open space. In fact, he’s one of the hardest hitting players pound for pound in college. The film doesn’t lie. When Sam has a full head of steam, he’s proven to rock opponents on a routine basis.

After playing for a talented Marshall defense last season, Sam was the focal point. He took on a major role, and at times, looked like the best player out there. He has the ability to close out on opponents extremely well and get to the ball in the blink of an eye.

When moving downhill, good luck, because Sam has the explosiveness to get from Point A to Point B faster than many at the college level.

Jalen Lee - Defensive Line - Watson, La.

The Louisiana native spent the last three years at the University of Florida as a backup, but attains tremendous upside this LSU program, specifically defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey, will be looking forward to utilizing this season.

“I think Jalen Lee is a technician,” Gators defensive line coach Sean Spencer said in August. “He’s on the tape all the time as the example of how to do things. The thing is he’s not as big as those guys. He’s not as big as Big G or Des, right? So, he has to be exact in his technique, and he works on that.”

Lee earned playing time in all 12 games for the Gators in 2022 with three starts. He totaled eight tackles and 0.5 sacks.

The former 4-star recruit returns back to his home state with a chance to rep the purple and gold in a big way after three years in Gainesville.