By Tony Thomas
The Tennessee Vols got their Tight End from South Bend; the LSU Tigers landed some Louisiana talent from the transfer portal in the form of a top-notch receiver and a big safety; Louisville landed a quality wide receiver, and South Carolina landed a former Freshman of the Year.
WR Zavion Thomas
LSU Tigers (from Mississippi State)
5’11”, 190 lbs.
The LSU Tigers, in preparation for possibly losing Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, Jr. to the NFL Draft, went full-court press and secured a commitment from WR Zavion Thomas. At Mississippi State, Thomas was 2nd on the team with 40 catches, 503 yards and a score.
Against Auburn, Thomas hauled in nine passes for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 27-13 loss.
Thomas, a Louisiana native, has 2 years of college ball left to play and brings experience to a crowded Tigers wide receiver room, one that includes Chris Hilton, Jr., Kyren Lacy, and Aaron Anderson, to name a few, and tight end Mason Taylor.
S Jardin Gilbert
LSU Tigers (from Texas A&M)
6’1”, 200 lbs.
The #3 Safety in the portal, Gilbert fills an immediate need at the position after the Tigers lost Sage Ryan to the transfer portal earlier this week.
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A Louisiana native, Gilbert played in just two games in 2023 while battling a shoulder injury. He made the decision to redshirt and comes to LSU with 2 years of eligibility left. In 2022, as the starter for Texas A&M, Gilbert picked off two passes, made 61 tackles, one tackle for loss, and broke up four passes.
WR Ja’Corey Brooks
Louisville Cardinals (from Alabama)
6’2”, 195 yards
Brooks brings two years of experience in the “The Process” under Nick Saban to the Cardinals. Battled a shoulder injury for most of this season, catching just three passes for 30 yards. In 2022, Brooks caught 39 balls for 674 yards and eight touchdowns.
As a freshman, Brooks caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in their semifinal win over Cincinnati. For his career, Brooks has caught 57 passes for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Jared Brown
South Carolina Gamecocks (from Coastal Carolina)
6’0”, 190 lbs.
Jared Brown is a former Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year (2022), as he caught 49 of Grayson McCall’s passes for 789 yards and six touchdowns that season. In 2023, Brown caught 58 passes for 740 yards, four touchdowns, and posted three games over 100 yards receiving. In addition, Brown rushed for 252 yards and a score.
Against Marshall, Brown caught five passes for 117 yards (23-yard average) and two touchdowns in a 34-6 win. Brown brings experience to what will be a young South Carolina wide receiver room in 2024.
Holden Staes
Tennessee Volunteers (from Notre Dame)
6’4”, 242 lbs.
Holden Staes is the #1 tight end prospect in the transfer portal, and fills a need at the position. He fielded offers from Washington, Oklahoma, and Georgia before committing to Josh Heupel and the Vols. Staes caught 15 passes this season for 176 yards and four touchdowns.
Against North Carolina State, Staes caught four passes for 115 yards (28-yard average) and two touchdowns in a 45-24 win over the Wolfpack.
