The LSU Football Transfer Portal Buzz: Tigers Host Pair of Defensive Back Targets

Brian Kelly and the Bayou Bengals host a pair of defensive backs, another target set to arrive on Friday.

Nov 11, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Keionte Scott (0) gets ready for the next play during the second quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Auburn won 48-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images / Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers continue working through NCAA Transfer Portal evaluations with the program looking to add to its No. 1 class in America.

ESPN and 247Sports recently labeled Kelly's club as the program with the top-ranked Transfer Portal Class, but it's clear LSU isn't done just yet in the free agent market.

With 14 additions to this point, there remains a need on the Tigers' roster heading into the 2025 season: Safety.

Now, the coaching staff is addressing the "issue" and pursuing prized transfers currently in the market.

The Bayou Bengals hosted a pair of defensive backs this week with one still on campus as of Thursday.

What's the latest buzz on the search for safety help? Is LSU expecting an SEC tight end transfer in town on Friday?

The LSU Transfer Portal Buzz:

The Current Visitor: Tamarcus Cooley

North Carolina State defensive back Tamarcus Cooley entered the NCAA Transfer Portal this month after one season with the Wolfpack in 2024.

The highest-rated defensive player on the North Carolina State squad in 2024, Cooley departed the Wolfpack program after logging 30 tackles, nine passes broken, three interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles last season.

Cooley spent his first season with the Maryland Terrapins in 2023 prior to heading to North Carolina State in 2024.

He immediately caught the eye of head coach Dave Doeren midway through the season as a key contributor as a redshirt-freshman.

"He played really well in a lot of ways," Doeren said of the redshirt-freshman safety. "In the box, setting edges, fitting in the run. Then in coverage he had number of pass breakups. He had the big interception at the end of the game. He did a good job fitting a lot of formations and surface areas. There's a lot going on there communication-wise on motions. For a young guy to have to manage all that, it was impressive."

He's an immediate impact caliber player that has multiple Southeastern Conference programs in his ear as it currently stands. A 6-foot, 200-pounder, Cooley has ideal size for a defensive back where he primarily played safety.

Now, he'll look for his third school with multiple premier programs reaching out. That includes Kelly and the LSU Tigers.

Cooley checked in with Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels on Sunday and Monday to begin his Transfer Portal process, a source tells LSU Tigers On SI. Matt Zenitz of 247Sports first reported the initial visit.

Following a trip with Kiffin and the Rebels, Cooley took a day to decompress before heading to Baton Rouge on Wednesday, which was a day earlier than he was expected in town.

Cooley was supposed to arrive in Baton Rouge on Thursday for a trip with the program that currently holds the No. 1 Transfer Portal Class in America. Instead, he arrived a day early after making his way to campus on Wednesday evening.

The coveted ACC transfer will now be in for a two-day stay with the LSU program after arriving in town on Wednesday.

After a visit with LSU, Cooley has visits scheduled to Missouri on Friday and Kentucky on Saturday to round out his schedule. Zenitz of 247Sports reported the visit schedule.

LSU will look to remain in the mix for the coveted defensive back. He's a player that is a "must-get" for the program with a lack of depth in the safety room.

Cooley is as versatile as they come in the defensive backfield. He's thrived in the nickel role and can become an immediate impact piece for the Tigers in 2025.

Monday's Visitor: Auburn's Keionte Scott

A source confirmed to LSU Tigers On SI that Auburn defensive back transfer Keionte Scott arrived in Baton Rouge on Monday evening for a two-day stay in town.

The coveted transfer entered the portal after three seasons with the Tigers where he totaled 113 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception.

Scott is listed as a cornerback, but is a versatile piece in the secondary where he can also play the nickel and safety slots.

He's checked in with both USC and Houston for visits, a source confirmed, with LSU getting the most recent chance to host him.

Scott and Cooley are the two defensive backs that are in town this week, but another SEC transfer is expected in town this weekend.

This Weekend's Visitor: Texas A&M TE Donovan Green

Kelly and the LSU staff have retooled the tight end room in Baton Rouge this offseason with a pair of newcomers set to make their way to town.

With the departures of Mason Taylor (2025 NFL Draft) and Ka'Morreun Pimpton (Transfer Portal), the program has hit the recruiting trail with force.

LSU signed JD LaFleur, the top-ranked tight in in Louisiana, along with Oklahoma transfer Bauer Sharp in December.

Sharp is coming off of a year after leading the Sooners in receptions (42) and receiving yards (324) in 2024.

Look for the SEC transfer to come in and be a versatile piece for the LSU offense in both the receiving and blocking game. Brian Kelly raved about his physicality in the run-game. It'll be how he's used most in 2025.

"He's a talented player with physicality; especially in the run game. If you watch him closely, some of the things they did with him in the passing game, we've seen from other tight ends," Kelly said in December.

"If you really look at his body of work, it's the physicality in the run game. Pulling, blocking tackles, being out on the perimeter. Love his physicality in the run-game. Still, a very good athlete. He came in as a quarterback at Southeast Louisiana. He has the ability to do some really good things for us in the passing game as well."

Sharp and 2025 signee JD LaFleur will join returning piece Trey'Dez Green in the tight end room next season, but the program is looking for an additional body.

Now, the LSU staff has found its next target: Texas A&M transfer Donovan Green.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder totaled 22 catches for 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns across three seasons in College Station.

Green appeared in 17 games with four starts for the Aggies with his production coming during his true freshman campaign in 2022. He suffered a torn ACL in 2023 that sidelined him for most of the season. He totaled 41 snaps in 2024.

The Tigers are hoping Green can return to his true freshman form after injury in 2023 and a down year in 2024.

The Texas A&M transfer will arrive in Baton Rouge on Friday to begin a multi-day stay, according to On3 Sports' Pete Nakos. He is currently on a visit to West Virginia on Thursday.

Who have the Tigers gained commitments from?

The Additions on Offense (7):
- TE Bauer Sharp: Oklahoma
- WR Barion Brown: Kentucky
- QB Michael Van Buren: Mississippi State
- WR Destyn Hill: Florida State
- WR Nic Anderson: Oklahoma
- OL Braelin Moore: Virginia Tech
- OL Josh Thompson: Northwestern

The Additions on Defense (6):
- CB Ja'Keem Jackson: Florida
- EDGE Jimari Butler: Nebraska
- EDGE Jack Pyburn: Florida
- CB Mansoor Delane: Virginia Tech
- DL Sydir Mitchell: Texas
- EDGE Patrick Payton: Florida State

The Special Teams Additions (1):
Punter Grant Chadwick: Middle Tennessee

More LSU News:

LSU Adds Commitments From Seven Top-100 Transfers in the Portal

LSU Dishes Out Offer to No. 1 Quarterback in America

Nick Saban Calls LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier a "Sleeper" Ahead of 2024 Season

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