One of the LSU Tigers’ most expensive transfer additions isn’t living up to the hype so far.

LSU landed Tennessee Vols transfer EDGE Jordan Ross in January after the former five-star recruit spent the first two years of his career in Knoxville.

Ross, despite totaling only 1.5 sacks during his first two seasons, has an NIL valuation north of $1 million. He was listed earlier this year as one of the five most valuable (in terms of NIL) players on LSU’s roster.

The former Vol, however, hasn’t been able to lock down a starting spot during fall camp opposite Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen.

According to The Bengal Tiger, the competition for the starting EDGE spot opposite Umanmielen is still wide open.

True freshman Lamar Brown, a five-star recruit in the 2026 class, is making a real push for the spot.

“The battle at the defensive end position opposite Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen is still open,” noted The Bengal Tiger’s Shea Dixon this week. “With Gabriel Reliford out with a knee injury suffered in spring camp, and defensive end Damien Shanklin not currently with the team, the competition is Tennessee transfer Jordan Ross and a returning Tiger in senior Dylan Carpenter. … Again, if Brown wants immediate playing time, the path is there.”

It’s worth noting that Ross has missed some practice time in recent days, but he’s not expected to be out long-term.

Still, when a program spends a million on a player, they’re probably expecting him to start. And maybe Ross still does, but he’s not running away with the job like many expected.

Ross has the talent to be an impact player in the SEC, but he still has to prove that he can produce on Saturdays.

Why did Jordan Ross leave Tennessee?

Tennessee would’ve preferred to keep Ross, but the Alabama native felt he needed a fresh start after the Vols made big changes to their defensive coaching staff.

“I had to find a new program,” said Ross in April before pausing to gather his thoughts. “I had to look for a new start, I’m gonna say that. I had to look for a new start after my defensive coordinator left and my other coach left. So I wanted to start off fresh, to be honest.

“I [saw that] Coach (Sterling) Lucas left his South Carolina job to go to LSU. And I did my research on Coach (Blake) Baker and how he runs his defense, and honestly, it
really fit my playstyle and how I can be better and be put in a great system.”

The big question for Ross has always been consistency and whether he can be physical enough.

“Jordan Ross gotta work on being physical,” said former Tennessee outside linebackers coach LeVorn Harbin in 2025. “He didn’t get many reps last year. He has got to stay healthy. He didn’t stay healthy last year. So he’s got to do a great job of maintenance throughout the year on his body. And he’s still a pup. He’s still a freshman in my eyes.”

“Honestly, Ross is gifted but he’s not consistent with his work,” continued Harbin. “He has to be more consistent every day. He’s a little bit on the immature side because he’s still a freshman. He gotta become more mature and take things more serious. That’s what I’m trying to get across to him. He has God-given talent, but he gotta become more consistent with the mental aspect of the game and taking everything serious.”