Tigers lose prized freshman DL to NCAA transfer portal

LSU redshirt freshman edge rusher Jaxon Howard has informed the LSU coaching staff that he will enter the NCAA transfer portal, a source confirmed to LSU Country on Wednesday.

Matt Zenitz of 247Sports was first to report the news.

Howard, a former four-star recruit and the No. 1 prospect in Minnesota for the 2023 cycle, will leave Baton Rouge after one season with the program.

The coveted recruit played in five games as a freshman and showed flashes in LSU's spring game last year with four tackles and a sack. During his only season in the South, he recorded two tackles and a quarterback rush in 2023.

It's a bit of a surprise after Howard served as the backup EDGE behind Bradyn Swinson and Sai'vion Jones. As a player who had the opportunity to take significant snaps this fall, he will choose another club.

Now Howard is leaving Death Valley with the chance to add to his inventory while he looks for a new home. The NCAA transfer portal officially opens on April 16.

Head coach Brian Kelly last week explained the plan around the defensive line room, whose versatility was on display in spring camp:

“We can move (defensive ends) Bradyn Swinson inside and Paris Shand inside, then Da'Shawn Womack on the edge and (linebacker) Harold Perkins on the edge. They have a different configuration. I think we can be really dynamic with some defensive players and move the pieces around. On first and second downs we have to work really hard to chase the quarterback. But when it comes to stopping the run, Jacobian Guillory has been outstanding. In terms of what Bo Davis strives for, he was outstanding and a loyal man. We have to find this other guy. That's what we're looking for. We’re trying to develop that second guy and have some depth pieces behind him.”