Byline: Just Days After a National Championship, Jay Johnson and LSU Are Already Reloading – And Their Sights Are Set on the NCAA’s Hottest Transfer Talent
OMAHA, NE — There’s no time to rest in Baton Rouge.
Fresh off a storybook finish to the 2025 college baseball season, Jay Johnson and the LSU Tigers aren’t basking in their championship glory. They’re back on the hunt, igniting a fierce campaign in the NCAA Transfer Portal with their eyes set on repeating history.
Only days removed from defeating Coastal Carolina at Charles Schwab Field and hoisting yet another national championship trophy, Johnson wasted no time issuing a public message: If you’re a high-level arm or game-changing bat, Death Valley is calling.
“We’ve got it all,” Johnson said post-title. “If you’re a pitcher in high school or in the portal, you should want to come here—because of what we’re doing with development, with Nate Yeskie, with Jamie Tutko. We’ve turned LSU pitching into a machine.”
It’s clear: LSU isn’t satisfied with winning one title. They’re building a machine capable of running college baseball for the next decade.
Portal Watch: The Reload Begins
With two major commitments already secured and more elite talent on the radar, LSU’s transfer portal activity is sending shockwaves through the baseball world. This isn’t just about replacing bodies—it’s about stockpiling championship-caliber pieces.
✅ Portal Pickups So Far: Bayou Bengals Make Early Noise
Brayden Simpson – The Slugging Swiss Army Knife
- Position: Infielder
- Previous School: High Point
- Stats (2025): .389 AVG | 22 HR | 77 RBI | .477 OBP
LSU’s first splash came with the commitment of Brayden Simpson, an absolute offensive juggernaut from High Point who has been scorching hot for two straight seasons.
Simpson’s versatility in the infield makes him a perfect puzzle piece in Johnson’s scheme. A natural third baseman, he’s also seen time at first and second, offering elite flexibility. He started every game in 2024, batting .300 with 12 homers and 45 RBI, then leveled up in 2025 with monster power numbers.
Scouts say Simpson brings “SEC-ready grit, gap-to-gap explosiveness, and sneaky speed.” Translation: Nightmare matchup.
Seth Dardar – The Hometown Hero Comes Home
- Position: Infielder
- Previous Schools: Columbia → Kansas State
- Stats (2025): .326 AVG | 13 HR | 45 RBI | 18 2B | 1.065 OPS
Born and raised in New Orleans, Seth Dardar is bringing his bat—and his Louisiana pride—home to finish what he started.
After mashing his way through Kansas State’s lineup in 2025, Dardar lit up opposing pitchers with consistent contact and clutch power. He led the team in average and racked up 60 hits, proving he’s not just a power hitter—he’s a polished, all-around weapon.
Now, he’ll suit up for LSU in his final year, and fans are already circling his debut on the calendar.
Portal Targets Heating Up: LSU Circles Premier Talent
Landon Mack – The Ace in Waiting?
- Position: RHP
- Previous School: Rutgers
- Stats: 80.1 IP | 70 K | 17 BB | 4.03 ERA
Mack may not be a household name—yet—but the freshman flamethrower from Rutgers is becoming one of the most coveted arms in the portal.
A power pitcher with command beyond his years, Landon Mack brings efficiency and upside that’s hard to ignore. His freshman campaign was solid, but scouts believe his ceiling skyrockets in a developmental system like LSU’s.
With Yeskie and Tutko guiding the way, don’t be surprised if Mack becomes the next dominant SEC ace—if Johnson can close the deal.
⚡ Jarren Advincula – The West Coast Catalyst
- Position: 2B
- Previous School: Cal
- Stats (2025): .342 AVG | 81 H | 48 R | 13 SB | 6 HR | 33 RBI
The Tigers have their sights set on one of the most complete second basemen in the country. Cal’s Jarren Advincula isn’t just fast—he’s fearless. He hits for average, power, and he’s a defensive general in the middle infield.
With LSU already deep in talks, insiders suggest the Tigers are near the top of Advincula’s list—but competition is fierce, with SEC and ACC giants also in pursuit.
Advincula would be a massive pickup for LSU: a plug-and-play weapon who brings a spark to the top of the lineup and wreaks havoc on the bases.
Why the Portal Is LSU’s Secret Weapon
Jay Johnson knows exactly what he’s doing. The Transfer Portal isn’t just a tool—it’s a weapon, and Johnson is wielding it with championship precision.
From player development and analytics to a proven culture of winning and elite coaching, LSU offers portal prospects something few programs can: instant exposure, elite growth, and a real shot at Omaha.
“We’ve elevated the talent and executed better development than I could’ve dreamed,” Johnson said.
And the scary part? They’re just getting started.
Final Word: Baton Rouge Reloads Again
As the dust settles on another national title parade, LSU Baseball is already scripting its next act—and it’s looking like a blockbuster sequel.
With two portal stars already in the fold and two high-level targets within reach, Johnson is assembling a roster that could keep the Tigers on top well beyond 2025.
Whether it’s a slugger from High Point or a sparkplug from Berkeley, one thing is certain:
The Transfer Portal runs through Baton Rouge. And Jay Johnson is sitting at the controls.
