It doesn’t take long for the sharks to circle when there’s blood in the water. The LSU Tigers cut the cord with head coach Brian Kelly this week, hemorrhaging $54 million in buyout money and opening the door for top talent to transfer out. While Kelly didn’t seem liked in the locker room after visibly berating players on the sideline during games, the Tigers are still at risk.

ESPN quickly published a list of top LSU stars who could be transfer portal targets this offseason. We will look at the likelihood of each opting to leave Baton Rouge, even before we know who the next head coach will be.

After talking with some recruiting sources around the country and revisiting the recruitment process for these players, here’s my prediction for several big LSU names.

Predicting LSU Tigers transfer decisions post-Brian Kelly firing

DJ Pickett, CB

LSU’s top priority is keeping the 6-foot-5 DJ Pickett in Baton Rouge. Once projected to land at Oregon, the five-star cornerback has been blossoming quickly in his freshman season. Following a lineage of excellent defensive backs at LSU, Pickett’s future is likely more tied to defensive backs coach Corey Raymond than anything else.

Raymond’s status is up in the air as the LSU coaching staff prepares for changes. If Raymond is gone, I’d expect Ohio State and Oregon to get involved, but there will be no shortage of interest in Pickett. Texas Tech will continue to loom large as well, even if it’s a newcomer to spending like madmen.

Prediction: Pickett stays

Trey’Dez Green, TE

One of the few massive winners from Kelly’s 2025 tenure was Trey’Dez Green. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound tight end has excellent movement ability for his frame and has unlocked that athletic potential in recent weeks. He’s exploded with 21 receptions for 264 yards and four scores this season after a slow start.

As it is with Pickett, every team in the nation will be willing to take Green in for his junior season. A dual-sport athlete from Louisiana, it’s hard to imagine Green trading his situation for another, though. He went to LSU because it’s part of the local culture, and his ability to play basketball and football is already a good fit.

I think this is the easiest prediction of all, for now.

Prediction: Green stays

Whit Weeks, LB

There’s not a player who embodies being an LSU Tiger as much as Whit Weeks does. While Lane Kiffin would surely love to get Weeks to Oxford, if he stays at Ole Miss and doesn’t come to LSU, it’s hard to imagine Weeks leaving his family and brother for anywhere else. Even with injuries, Whit’s future is a tough one to parse.

On one hand, he can ride off an NIL deal and come back for 2026. But he’s dealt with injuries that only cloud his future more than his on-field ability. The time to make the jump might be right now, as the NFL needs more off-ball linebacker talent. I think he’ll get Day 2 grades and make the leap.

Prediction: Weeks goes to the NFL

Harlem Berry, RB

The top running back from the 2025 class hasn’t seen the field nearly as much as he probably should have. While Caden Durham is solid, Harlem Berry has been the victim of extremely pass-happy game plans. That might change over the final month, and maybe a new coach can pitch a more even split to the New Orleans native.

As with Pickett, Berry’s future might be tied to a current coach. Frank Wilson played a big part in landing Berry, and any major change with Wilson could spell an impact transfer decision. If so, Berry may take another look to see if Florida or Texas has more attractive spots.

LSU knows this and probably forces Wilson upon the next staff, or else risks losing Berry and a lot more talent they can’t afford to.

Prediction: Berry stays

Carius Curne, OT

The most athletic and gifted offensive lineman on the team is probably the biggest threat of any player to bolt elsewhere. The former five-star was late to pick LSU, and he could easily slide into starting roles anywhere in the nation. Ole Miss, Ohio State, and Georgia could quickly revisit the Arkansas native.

The new LSU coaching staff will have work to do since the Tigers’ offense was a disaster this fall. The right coach can bring a quarterback who creates more optimism for teammates, but I think Carius Curne will find greener pastures in more established situations.

Prediction: Curne transfers

Ohio State Buckeyes News

4 players the Ohio State Buckeyes could look to add from the LSU Tigers after the firing of Brian Kelly

The transfer portal is going to be wild with all of the changes around college football.

Brandon Little