This represents the Tigers’ most impressive and cunning acquisition from the transfer portal. Many doubted how Brian Kelly would transition from Notre Dame to LSU and the competitive landscape of the SEC. Yet, he has exceeded expectations, securing either a first or second place in the SEC West and appearing in the SEC Championship Game in his inaugural season at Baton Rouge. However, replicating this success in 2024 might pose challenges.

It’s not common for someone to join the SEC and immediately achieve seasons like 10-3 and 10-4, including a conference title game appearance, two bowl game wins, and two top-20 rankings in the College Football Playoff. Brian Kelly defied expectations by accomplishing exactly that.

A significant part of this success can be attributed to Kelly’s activity in the transfer portal. In 2022, he brought in 15 transfers, contributing to the Tigers’ No. 3 ranking in the transfer portal class. Among these transfers was Jayden Daniels, who later clinched the 2023 Heisman Trophy.

The subsequent year, LSU secured the No. 5 spot in the transfer portal class with 13 commitments, although there were some underperformers in a class primarily focused on bolstering the secondary. Therefore, it’s understandable why some might be concerned that Kelly and the Tigers only managed the 42nd rank in the transfer portal class for 2024, with just six incoming commits—three three-star players and three four-stars—alongside 17 outgoing transfers.

Out of those six players, Kelly is banking on acquiring two cornerbacks and one safety. He’s optimistic about the potential of this year’s transfer portal group, particularly highlighting cornerback Jyaire Brown from Ohio State. Kelly will be eager for improved fortune with these additions to the secondary.

Cornerback Jyaire Brown transfers to LSU football

In the 2023 season, LSU managed to finish with a 10-4 record despite fielding a defense that ranked 105th nationally.

This defense allowed an average of 6.14 yards per play and 416.6 yards per game, while also tying for the 78th spot in scoring defense, conceding 28 points per game.

With the upcoming expansion of the SEC in 2024 to include Oklahoma and Texas, maintaining such defensive performance likely won’t suffice for Kelly’s Tigers to compete for a top ranking within the conference. They’ll need significant improvement on the defensive front to contend effectively in the heightened competition of the expanded SEC.

Although Jyaire Brown’s statistics from his time at Ohio State may not immediately stand out, there’s considerable potential for growth in the junior player. During his tenure in Buckeye territory, Brown participated in only 13 games across two seasons, contributing nine total tackles, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble.

Most of his playing time came during his freshman year, where he logged 197 snaps, primarily on special teams. Unfortunately, his sophomore season was abbreviated due to an ankle injury, with his lone statistic being a solo tackle against Michigan State on November 11, according to Sports Reference.

As a transfer, Brown carries a three-star rating, ranked as the 368th overall prospect and the 43rd cornerback. However, during his high school recruitment, he was regarded as a four-star prospect, ranked as the 30th cornerback nationally and the 11th player in the state of Ohio, as per 247sports.

Given Brown’s potential and the opportunity to stay healthy in Baton Rouge, he could emerge as a hidden gem for Kelly and LSU football in the transfer portal.