While the ACC has yet to finalize the schedules for next season, we do know Clemson’s opponents.
Today, The Clemson Insider begins a series that looks at each of those opponents and the moves each has made in the transfer portal. Players lost, as well as players added.
The Tigers will open next season at home on August 30 with a showdown against SEC foe LSU. It will mark the second straight season that Clemson has opened against SEC competition. The Tigers played Georgia to open the 2024 season in Atlanta.
The Bayou Bengals have been very active in the portal, having lost 17 players already. LSU has also added 13 players from the portal to this point.
Clemson has lost four and added two. One of those two additions was former Purdue DE Will Heldt, who LSU hosted before he committed to the Tigers.
LSU Portal Additions (13)
- DE Patrick Payton (FSU): According to 24/7 Sports, Payton is the top defender in the transfer portal and the 2nd ranked player.
- OL Braelin Moore (Va Tech): LSU loses four offensive linemen to the NFL which made landing experienced players on the offensive line a massive need. Moore can play center or guard and has three years experience.
- DT Sydir Mitchell (Texas): Three years of eligibility left
- P Grant Chadwick (MTSU): Chadwick had 51 punts this season averaging 43.4 yards per punt as a true freshman.
- WR Nic Anderson (Oklahoma): At 6 foot 4, Anderson is a big bodied wide receiver that LSU can play on the outside while the smaller speed guys work out of the slot.
- WR Destyn Hill (FSU): Hill was expected to lead the Seminoles receiving core but suffered a torn ACL which cost him the season. This isn’t the Tigers adding an instant impact player but if Hill heals and develops he could make an impact.
- CB Mansoor Delane (Va Tech): One of the top transfers LSU has landed. Delane is a multi-year starter and a player that was being mocked in the second or third round of NFL mock drafts which makes him a massive addition for the Tigers.
- DE Jack Pyburn (Florida): Pyburn is an incredible run defender racking up 60 tackles and a pair of sacks for the Gators and if defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples can improve his game as a pass rusher this could be a slam dunk for LSU.
- QB Michael Van Buren (Mississippi State): The freshman showed a ton of promise in his eight starts and has a massive arm and gives LSU a capable backup next season.
- WR Barion Brown (Kentucky): Clemson fans are familiar with Brown after the huge game he had against the Tigers in the Gator Bowl. Brown will be an impact player for LSU next year.
- CB Ja’Keem Jackson (Florida): Jackson was a starter this season for the first two games but, an injury sidelined him the rest of the year.
- TE Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma): Sharp caught 42 passes for 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Sooners last season.
LSU Portal Departures (17)
- QB Rickie Collins (to Syracuse)
- WR Landon Ibieta
- WR CJ Daniels (to Miami)
- DE Da’Shawn Womack (to Ole Miss)
- S Jordan Allen (to Houston)
- WR Shelton Sampson Jr.
- S Kylin Jackson (to TCU)
- LB Xavier Atkins (Auburn)
- CB Jyaire Brown
- CB Beranrd Causey
- K Nathan Dibert (to E. Michigan)
- DT De’Myrion Johnson
- CB JK Johnson (to Oklahoma State)
- TE Ka’Morreun Pimpton
- DT Jay’Viar Suggs
- S Sage Ryan (to Ole Miss)
- QB AJ Swann
LSU also had an impressive 2025 recruiting class coming in at No. 7 in the 247 composite team rankings.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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