Fresh off winning the 2025 College World Series, Jay Johnson and his staff have hit the NCAA Transfer Portal hard, aiming to reinforce key positions after heavy departures—both to graduation and the draft. According to Sports Illustrated, the Tigers have already landed four commitments to bolster their lineup and pitching corps .
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The Four Portal Additions
1. **Brayden Simpson – Infielder (High Point)**
LSU’s first portal pickup, Simpson is a versatile bat—splitting time across third, first, and second base. In 2025, he hit .389 with 22 homers, 77 RBIs, and a .477 OBP over 58 games .
2. **Seth Dardar – Infielder (Kansas State)**
A Louisiana product, Dardar returns home after hitting .326 with 13 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a 1.065 OPS in 50 games .
3. **Danny Lachenmayer – Left-Handed Pitcher (North Dakota State)**
Freshman southpaw Lachenmayer made 24 relief appearances with nine saves, posting a 2.37 ERA and 56 strikeouts over 38 innings. He chose LSU over Arkansas .
4. **Ryler Smart – Left-Handed Pitcher (Tennessee)**
A top-25 LHP in the 2024 recruiting class, Smart is a 6’4″, 236-pound redshirt who sat out last season. He heads to LSU after visiting Baton Rouge .
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Roster Balance & System Fit
These additions provide a strategic mix: two bats to address offensive depth in the infield and two lefty arms to reinforce the pitching staff. Johnson praised his pitching hires, citing the analytics power of Nate Yeskie and director Jamie Tutko as key to attracting talent . With high MLB draft projects among returning infielders and relievers, these recruits shore up vital areas.
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Still Hunting for More
Despite the strong start, LSU’s portal work isn’t done. Johnson’s staff is actively reaching out to other high-impact players, including Henry Godbout, a Second-Team All-ACC second baseman from Virginia, who’s now on their radar . Recent LSU commentary confirms Johnson “always be crootin’,” suggesting more portal movements are likely .
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Looking Ahead in Baton Rouge
At four portal pickups, LSU has already fortified infield versatility and added two southpaw arms—an excellent start to replenishing a championship roster. The real test will be how quickly those players integrate and whether more premium targets—especially outfielders or frontline starters—join before deadlines. But if Johnson’s recruiting energy is any indication, the Tigers are laying strong groundwork to chase a ninth national title.
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