By Tony Thomas
The LSU Tigers are coming off yet another 10-win season (10-3), their second under Head Coach Brian Kelly. The Tigers went undefeated (7-0) in the friendly confines of Death Valley and won their final four games, including a ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Wisconsin, to finish the season.
LSU loses a ton of production-Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, WR Malik Nabers, WR Brian Thomas, Jr., and RB Logan Diggs (a combined 48 touchdowns scored). However, they return QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR Kyren Lacy, TE Mason Taylor, LB Harold Perkins, Jr., and LB Greg Penn III (a combined 164 tackles in 2023), RB Kaleb Jackson, plus four starters are back on the offensive line.
In addition, the Tigers went into the transfer portal and found a few talented players to ease the pain of attrition, including three that will make a positive impact in the lead up to spring practice and beyond.
WR CJ Daniels
Previous School: Liberty
6’2”, 200 lbs.
In 2023, CJ Daniels hauled in 55 catches for 1,067 yards (19-yard average) and 10 touchdowns for Liberty, on his way to being named 2nd Team All-Conference USA. Those ten TDs were second in the conference.
A look at new #LSU receiver CJ Daniels🐯👀 pic.twitter.com/XrT5umN2qz
— Mik’d Up (@Mikdup_8) January 14, 2024
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Daniels gained over 100 yards receiving five times last season. In each of those games, Daniels averaged 20 yards per catch. Against both Sam Houston and New Mexico State, Daniels gained 157 yards receiving. In his collegiate career, Daniels has 1,954 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns.
Daniels will help relieve the Tigers’ personnel woes on offense after losing Nabers and Thomas as perimeter weapons.
S Jardin Gilbert
Previous School: Texas A&M Aggies
6’1”, 200 lbs.
A native of White Castle, Louisiana, Jardin Gilbert comes to Baton Rouge with 80 career tackles to his credit. Gilbert only played in two games last season, but racked up 61 tackles, 2 INTs, and broke up four passes in 2022, including nine tackles and an interception in a 24-20 loss to Alabama.
Texas A&M transfer DB Jardin Gilbert committed to LSU @mfarrellsports https://t.co/0QOgbFWAVd
— FarrellPortal (@farrellportal) December 16, 2023
Gilbert will provide some much-needed depth and experience for a DB unit that underachieved in 2023, picking off just four passes. This unit does return S Major Burns, S Javien Toviano, S Sage Ryan, and their best cover corner in CB Zy Alexander, who is coming off a leg injury but is expected to be good to go for the 2024 season. However, the Tigers lose Denver Harris, Darian Chestnut, and Laterrance Welch to the transfer portal.
WR Zavion Thomas
Previous School: Mississippi State Bulldogs
5’11”, 170 lbs.
Another Louisiana native and perimeter weapon to help in the Tigers passing game, Zavion Thomas reeled in 40 passes for 503 yards and a touchdown, with his season-high being nine catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 27-13 loss to Auburn.
Mississippi State is losing one of its most electric playmakers, as Zavion Thomas plans to enter the transfer portal. The sophomore WR had 40 receptions for 503 yards and a TD this season. He also stars as a returner.
🔗https://t.co/lH8LdIMqHqpic.twitter.com/ctLyv30dlZ
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) December 5, 2023
Thomas can help on special teams as well, as he added 163 yards on punt returns and 202 yards on kickoff returns. Against Texas A&M, Thomas took the opening kickoff 94-yards for a touchdown.
