Highly touted Tennessee edge rusher Jordan Ross continued LSU’s transfer-portal momentum Friday morning as the Tigers’ 17th addition in six days.
“Going to be an amazing day!!!,” coach Lane Kiffin posted via Twitter shortly after 6 a.m., and fans didn’t have to wait much longer for the next major headline of program’s roster rebuild to drop.
[Click here for a more complete picture of LSU’s roster + transfer movement.]
Ross is a former five-star prospect and Freshman All-SEC selection in 2024 who recorded 26 tackles, including five for loss and 1.5 sacks, as well as a forced fumble, fumble recovery and blocked kick in 22 games the past two seasons.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Vestavia Hills, Ala., native was a versatile edge rusher in the Volunteers’ defensive rotation who graded out well in his opportunities off the bench.
Ross earned a 78.2 overall defensive grade and 80.2 pass-rushing grade this past season, according to PFF (Pro Football Focus) — both fifth-best on the team — in his 249 snaps, which marked only the unit’s 17th-most.
LSU opened this week with a heavy influx of offensive weapons via the transfer portal as Kiffin and his new staff work to retool a side of the ball with only minimal returning production.
Defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s unit entered the offseason with more known pieces already in place, but particular needs to bolster the front group, including edge rushers, with immediate-impact players.
And the Tigers have now added a handful of notable, experienced additions in that regard during the past four days.
Ross joins defensive lineman Stephiylan Green (Clemson) and Malik Blocton (Auburn), edge rusher Jaylen Brown (South Carolina) and safety Ty Benefield (Boise State) in the incoming defensive haul in the class
Here’s the rundown of all new players heading to Baton Rouge thus far, as of Friday morning:
1. WR Jackson Harris, Hawaii
2. RB Raycine Guillory, Utah
3. TE Malachi Thomas, Pittsburgh
4. WR Eugene “Tre” Brown III, Old Dominion
5. S Ty Benefield, Boise State
6. DT Stephiylan Green, Clemson
7. RB Rod Gainey Jr., Charlotte
8. WR Jayce Brown, Kansas State
9. WR Eugene “Tre” Wilson III, Florida
10. P Hayden Craig, Florida
11. LS Mack Mulhern, Florida
12. K Scott Starzyk, Arkansas
13. DL Malik Blocton, Auburn
14. EDGE Jaylen Brown, South Carolina
15. OL Ja’Quan Sprinkle, North Carolina Central
16. OL JaKolby Jones, Copiah-Lincoln CC
17. EDGE Jordan Ross, Tennessee
