A belated Christmas present from the transfer portal
LSU appears to have solidified its starting offensive line for the 2025 season thanks to a second addition out of the transfer portal.
Northwestern’s Josh Thompson announced Friday that he would be transferring to LSU, picking the Tigers over Tennessee, Ohio State, and Auburn among other programs. Thompson will have one final season of eligibility remaining.
Listed at 6’5” and 301 pounds, Thompson was a three-star prospect coming out of Michigan, and has turned himself into one of the better offensive linemen in the country. Thompson started 21 games the past two seasons for the Wildcats. In 2023 he started 11 games at right tackle, and this season he moved inside and started 10 games at right guard.
Thompson was considered a top-five interior offensive linemen in the portal and should be LSU’s starting right guard the moment he arrives to Baton Rouge. Pro Football Focus gave Thompson a 78.3 run blocking grade and an 83.5 pass blocking grade this season. His run blocking grade was superior to every LSU linemen this season, and his pass blocking grade was better than Will Campbell’s.
By adding Thompson and Braelin Moore out of the portal, LSU has two starters along the offensive line ready to go at right guard and center. Brian Kelly and Brad Davis will be looking inward to find the other three starters at tackle and left guard, but expect Tyree Adams and Weston Davis to get the first shot at left and right tackle, while DJ Chester and Paul Mubenga will likely battle for the left guard spot.