Hey ATVS folks,

I know you're always interested in roster moves and shakeups this time of year, now more than ever.

Figured I'd use this to track/update where the roster stands, show who's left at which positions and break down how many guys LSU will aim for in the portal and where.

REMINDER: For this year and next, NCAA rules allow teams to take as many players as they want to reach the 85-man scholarship limit. No limitations per class or matching transfers for extras above 25.

Always happy to talk more in the comments if I missed something, there are questions, etc. I'll probably update this one through the February signing day and start another one after spring ball.

Here's where the LSU roster stands as of Jan. 12:

(Numbers in parentheses is number of returning players, names below --- are '23 croots/transfers)

QUARTERBACK (2 + 1 recruit)

Daniels, Nuss
-----------------------
Collins

RUNNING BACK (4 + 2 recruits)

Williams, Emery, Cain, Goodwin
-----------------------
Holly
Jackson

TIGHT END (1 + 3 recruits)

M. Taylor
----------------------
Markway
McGohan
Pimpton

WIDE RECEIVER (5 + 1 transfer + 4 recruits)

Nabors, Thomas, Lacy, Hilton, Ibieta
----------------------
Sampson
Brown
Prean
Parker
Anderson (transfer from Bama, 4 seasons eligibility)

OFFENSIVE LINE (10 + 4 recruits)

Campbell, Jones, Dellinger, Turner, Frazier, Martinez, West, Makane'ole, Bordelon, Thomas
-----------------------
Heard
Chester
Adams
Mubenga

DEFENSIVE TACKLES (5 + 2 transfers)

Smith, Wingo, Guillory, Langston, T. Hill
-----------------------
Lee (transfer from Florida, 3 seasons eligibility)
Jefferson (transfer from W. Virginia, 1 season eligibility)

DEFENSIVE ENDS/EDGE (2 + 3 recruits + 3 transfers)

Jones, Wiggins
-----------------------
Womack
Howard
Carpenter
Shand (transfer from Arizona, 2 seasons eligibility)
Swinson (transfer from Oregon, 2 seasons eligibility)
Oghoufo (transfer from Texas, 1 season of eligibility)

LINEBACKERS (3 + 2 recruits)

Penn, Perkins, Weeks
-----------------------
(Another) Weeks
Brathwaite

DEFENSIVE BACKS (7 + 6 recruits + 4 transfers)

Brooks, Burns, Ryan, Banks, Allen, Welch, Langlois
-----------------------
Jackson
Yaites
Daughterty
Hughes
Stamps
Toviano
Harris (Texas A&M transfer, 3 seasons eligibility)
Alexander (SELA transfer, 2 seasons eligibility)
Chestnut (Syracuse transfer, 2 seasons eligibility)
Johnson (Ohio St. transfer, 3 seasons eligibility

SPECIALISTS (4)

Bramblett, Roy, Todd, Dibert (Ramos, Mata, Clayton, etc. not on scholly)
------------------------
(None as of now)

TRANSFERS OUT (14)

Webb, Sampah, Bech, McGhee, Jones, Little, K. Taylor, Fields, Wire, Davis, Dumervil, Hill, Davis-Robinson, Howard, Carter

DECLARED FOR DRAFT (8)

Roy, Garner, Ojulari, Jenkins, Ward, Boutte, Jones Jr., Bradford

THE BOTTOM LINE

- LSU currently has 43 scholarship players returning
- There are 25 high school signees AND 10 transfer commits (35 total)
- So LSU currently has 78 scholarships spoken for

That being said, I imagine there will be:
- 1-2 more transfers OUT
AND
- 1-2 more '23 recruits signed

That should leave LSU with:
- 6 more spots to use in the transfer portal

HOW LSU WILL (LIKELY) USE THE TRANSFER PORTAL

QUARTERBACK (0, with a caveat)

If Nuss leaves between now and the summer, LSU gets a portal guy. If he stays, they don't.

RUNNING BACK (0)

Assuming all 4 guys return. May get depth guy if one leaves but 2 good freshmen are incoming.

TIGHT END (1)

Absolutely need experience with starter capability here.

WIDE RECEIVER (1 already, 1 more?)

Already took Anderson, who doubles as a KR. With Boutte changing his mind, maybe they get 1 more.

OFFENSIVE LINE (1)

Plug and play C would be fantastic. Experienced depth at tackle might be nice too.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE (2 already, 1 more?)

Got Jalen Lee/Jordan Jefferson transferring in. Still possible they add one more though.

DEFENSIVE END/EDGE (3 already, 1 more?)

They got Shand, Swinson and Oghoufo. Still possible they add one more with all the transfers out

LINEBACKERS (2)

Tolan leaving means I think they probably take 2 now, including a guy with starter capability.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (4 already, 0 more)

LSU loaded up here again. Really need starting-caliber CBs and got Harris/Alexander/Chestnut/Johnson. Combined with Brooks/Burns back, hard to ask for much more here.

SPECIALISTS (1, probably accounted for already)

If a good K is available, go get him. Otherwise, Anderson (Bama WR transfer) can double as KR/PR.