LSU misses out on two defensive tackle targets in the transfer portal

A major priority for the LSU football team is signing a couple of defensive tackles out of the transfer portal. Two of their biggest targets have decided to play elsewhere.

Damonic Williams had two standout seasons at TCU and visited LSU. But Williams chose Oklahoma instead.

Simeon Barrow Jr also visited LSU after starting 30 games at Michigan State. But Barrow is heading to Miami.

There are still plenty of defensive tackle options available, but Williams and Barrow were considered the top two defensive tackles in the portal.

We know LSU has offered CJ West, an All-MAC defensive tackle from Kent State. But several other schools are also looking to sign West.

LSU has internal options to play defensive tackle but are any of them difference makers.

Jacobian Guillory is entering his fifth season at LSU. He’s played in 39 games and has 51 career tackles and a .5 sack. He would be a run stuffer and he’ll also be a vocal leader for the 2024 defense.

Who will start next to Guillory is a big question. During spring practice, former Live Oak High School star Jalen Lee and former offensive lineman Kimo Makane’ole shared first-team reps.

JUCO transfer Shone Washington is from Terrytown, Washington, and transferred in from East Mississippi Community College. He signed with Georgia out of high school. Not much was said in spring about Washington’s development.

LSU has added at least one transfer during the spring at defensive tackle. Gia Paez is from Los Angeles and spent four seasons at Wisconsin, appearing in 34 games and making 36 tackles.

There are also several incoming freshmen, De’Myrion Johnson from Westgate High School in New Iberia, Ahmad Breaux from Ruston High School and five-star recruit Dominick McKinley.

A potential wildcard is Preston Hickey. He’s a walk-on from St. Pau’s High School. Hickey was getting second-team reps during spring.