Brian Kelly officially makes the call on former Texas transfer who was viewed as potential solution to defensive woes
LSU Football 2025: Strong Start, Transfer Portal Impact, and Sydir Mitchell’s Departure The 2025 LSU football season kicked off with a commanding road victory against Clemson, showcasing the Tigers’ potential as a top-tier SEC contender. However, Week 2 saw a less polished performance, with LSU securing a messy win over Louisiana Tech. Despite the uneven […]
LSU Football 2025: Strong Start, Transfer Portal Impact, and Sydir Mitchell’s Departure
The 2025 LSU football season kicked off with a commanding road victory against Clemson, showcasing the Tigers’ potential as a top-tier SEC contender. However, Week 2 saw a less polished performance, with LSU securing a messy win over Louisiana Tech.
Despite the uneven outing, the Tigers remain a powerhouse in the conference, bolstered by an aggressive transfer portal strategy that brought in 18 new players to reshape the roster. Unfortunately, one of those key additions, defensive lineman Sydir Mitchell, has already parted ways with the program after just two weeks.
Sydir Mitchell’s Recruiting Background and Departure
Sydir Mitchell, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound defensive tackle, arrived at LSU as a highly touted transfer from Texas, where he played for the Longhorns. A former three-star recruit from Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey, Mitchell was ranked as a top-100 defensive lineman in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports.
His size, athleticism, and potential made him a coveted addition to LSU’s defensive front, aimed at bolstering a unit that head coach Brian Kelly emphasized as a priority for the 2025 season. However, according to LSU beat reporter Shea Dixon of On3 Sports, Mitchell did not see the field in the Tigers’ first two games and has now left the program.
Dixon posted on X: “DL Sydir Mitchell is no longer on the LSU Football team, sources tell me. He’s not currently listed on LSU’s official online roster. The Texas Longhorns transfer did not log a defensive snap across LSU’s first two games.”
During his time at Texas, Mitchell appeared in nine games over two seasons, recording seven tackles as a rotational player. As a redshirt sophomore, he retains multiple years of eligibility, leaving open the possibility of continuing his career elsewhere.
LSU’s Defensive Line Depth Shines
Despite Mitchell’s departure, LSU’s defensive line has shown impressive depth early in the season. Seven defensive linemen have seen action in the first two games, with Dominick McKinley and Bernard Gooden anchoring the first-team unit, supported by Ahmad Breaux and Jacobian Guillory on the two-deep depth chart. This rotation has kept the Tigers’ defense formidable, proving they can thrive without Mitchell’s contributions.
Transfer Portal Fuels LSU’s Success
Head coach Brian Kelly praised the transfer portal class before the season, noting the newcomers’ immediate impact during fall camp. The addition of 18 transfers was a strategic move to enhance both sides of the ball, and so far, the results speak for themselves. Even without Mitchell, LSU’s revamped roster has shown resilience and talent, positioning the Tigers as a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
As LSU moves forward, the team’s depth and versatility will be critical in maintaining its early-season momentum. While Mitchell’s exit is a setback, the Tigers’ defensive line and overall roster remain stacked with talent, ready to tackle the challenges of a competitive SEC schedule.
