LSU landed a pair of experienced defensive additions Tuesday, its first two commitments of the 2026 transfer portal window on that side of the ball.
Boise State safety Ty Benefield and Clemson defensive lineman Stephiylan Green committed to the Tigers in the morning and early afternoon, respectively, following a string of four offensive weapons Sunday and Monday.
Benefield was an All-Mountain West selection this fall with a junior campaign in which he recorded a team-high 107 tackles, including 8.5 for loss, and two interceptions.
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The 6-foot-2, 205-pound athlete initially signed with the Broncos out of Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) during the 2023 recruiting cycle as a three-star prospect according to On3 | Rivals and four-star prospect according to 247.
He played in 41 games during three seasons at Boise State, including the past two years as a starter, and wraps his time there with five interceptions, 16 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, three recoveries and 235 tackles, including 162 solo stops, 18 tackles for loss and three sacks.
This fall marked Benefield’s career highs nearly entirely across the board with 107 tackles, including 70 solo stops and 8.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Like Benefield, Green was a three-star prospect according to On3 | Rivals and four-star according to 247 when he signed out of Rome High School (Rome, Ga.) in 2023.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive tackle played in 24 games the past three years at Clemson, primarily the past two after a redshirt season in 2023.
He recorded 34 tackles, including five for loss and 3.5 sacks, and deflected a pair of passes during his tenure, peaking with his best season thus far this fall.
Green played in 10 games, including six starts, and totaled 18 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a deflected pass as a redshirt sophomore.
LSU has now added six new transfers to its roster the past three days.
Hawaii wide receiver Jackson Harris became the first transfer portal addition for new coach Lane Kiffin and company Sunday, followed Monday by Utah running back Raycine Guillory, Pittsburgh tight end Malachi Thomas and Old Dominion wide receiver Eugene “Tre” Brown III.
Benefield and Green mark the first defensive additions.
The Tigers are working to almost entirely rebuild their offense around running back Harlem Berry and tight end Trey’Dez Green.
Defensive coordinator Blake Baker and his unit should feature more continuity, both on staff and on the field, in 2026, but continue to look for the write key pieces to complete the puzzle.
Benefield joins an LSU secondary poised to return as much talent and experience as any position group in Baton Rouge in 2026.
While the Tigers replace star cornerback Mansoor Delane and safety A.J. Haulcy among others, they return a core that includes safeties Tamarcus Cooley and Dashawn Spears and cornerbacks D.J. Pickett, P.J. Woodland and Ja’Keem Jackson.
Benefield provides a veteran safety to help fill the shoes left by Haulcy’s departure for the NFL.
LSU’s defensive front is undergoing more turnover as several players leave for a mixture of professional and transfer opportunities.
Green bolsters a defensive interior headlined by former Acadiana star Dominick McKinley among its returners.
