Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers have swiftly reloaded the roster in Baton Rouge this offseason by putting together a Transfer Portal Class that ranks among the best in school history.
LSU acquired nine Top-100 players in this year’s Transfer Portal haul, with several immediate impact signees making their relationship official with Kiffin’s program, but there is an X-factor that is already creating excitement in the Bayou State.
Ty Benefield, a Boise State safety, signed with the LSU Tigers in January, ranking as the No. 2 safety on the market, with Kiffin and Co. bolstering the secondary immediately after acquiring his services.
The 6-foot-2, 204-pounder drew interest from a variety of colleges after formally entering the transfer portal, with LSU defeating out the Oregon Ducks during his decision process.
Benefield had 105 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, and one forced fumble for his Broncos club in the 2025 season, attracting attention from several power schools.
He consistently filled the stat sheet with the Broncos last season, but it is his flexibility and sure tackling skills that will benefit the Bayou Bengals in 2026.
Defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system will allow Benefield to shine at safety, but the STAR role is where he will flourish.
Benefield is a huge, strong defensive back with the potential to thrive in LSU’s system throughout the 2026 season.
The Top-100 Signees:
– No. 1: QB Sam Leavitt
– No. 4: OL Jordan Seaton
– No. 5: EDGE Princewill Umanmielen
– No. 21: QB Husan Longstreet
– No. 40: S Ty Benefield
– No. 55: WR Eugene Wilson
– No. 59: EDGE Jordan Ross
– No. 79: IOL Devin Harper
– No. 95: WR Jayce Brown
I think talent-wise, it is, Kiffin remarked when questioned if LSU’s Transfer Portal Class is the finest of all time. A large part of it is the numbers. The loudness helps when I make the remark. I believe that volume has increased over time in general as the system has developed.
It has essentially created a system in which players must enter and, as I stated at the start, when it was initially established, at least there was only one window. You essentially built a system that you used as a player twice a year, thus I don’t blame them.
