LSU junior tight end Kole Taylor and defensive end Desmond Little have entered the transfer portal, increasing the number of ex-Tigers in the portal to seven.
Taylor was the No. 10-ranked tight end nationally and the No. 5 prospect in Colorado by 247Sports’ composite rankings in 2020.
He was a consistent member of the tight end rotation this season, with true freshman Mason Taylor, starting twice and catching five passes for 55 yards. He has played since his freshman year in 2020, starting in seven of his 32 games. He recorded 17 catches for 159 yards throughout his three seasons with the program.
LSU coach Brian Kelly noted before this season started that the Tigers don’t have the depth he’d like at the position. LSU has one four-star tight end, Mac Markway, in its 2023 class.
Little appeared in seven games this year, his fourth season at LSU, recording six tackles with one pass deflection. He came to LSU as a Top 30 player from the state of Alabama in 2020.
LSU still has several players capable of producing a pass rush, though outside linebacker BJ Ojulari is eligible to enter the NFL draft, as is senior defensive end Ali Gaye.
The defensive line was one of LSU’s strongest position groups this year, though lacking in depth. It will return defensive tackle Maason Smith next year from injury, and Mekhi Wingo, who earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors this season. True freshman Quency Wiggins, a defensive end, had also made notable improvement through the season.
Outside linebacker Sai’vion Jones and defensive end Zavier Carter are also capable of rushing the passer.
The Tigers have lost seven players to the transfer portal, including four since Monday. Wide receiver Jack Bech and cornerback Damarius McGhee announced their departures Tuesday. Three others — linebackers Antoine Sampah and Philip Webb and defensive back Jordan Toles — entered the transfer portal before the season started.
This is the first of two open windows for the transfer portal. Football players have until Jan. 18, a 45-day window, to enter the portal. The portal then reopens for a 15-day spring period from May 1-15.
