Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin, LSU Receive Good News on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Jan 16, 2026 2:26 PM ET

After going 7-6 in 2025, it has been an offseason of changes for the LSU Tigers. The team hired former Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin to replace Brian Kelly, who was fired on Oct. 26.

Kiffin has quickly gotten to work to improve the roster. The Tigers have made several big transfer portal splashes. That includes landing former Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt. He will replace Garrett Nussmeier, who has exhausted his eligibility.

In total, LSU has landed 32 commitments from the transfer portal. The latest addition came on Friday, and it comes at the expense of Kiffin's former team.

LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin.Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Devin Harper, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive lineman, completed his first year with Ole Miss. His time on the field was limited, appearing in just six games.

However, he was still one of the most highly touted players in the transfer portal. On3 Industry Rankings place him as the No. 4 interior offensive lineman and the No. 60 player in the nation.

Unfortunately for the Rebels, he now becomes another casualty at the hands of the Tigers. On Friday, On3's Hayes Fawcett reported that Harper committed to LSU.

BREAKING: Ole Miss true freshman transfer OL Devin Harper has Committed to LSU, he tells @On3

The 6’4 315 OL was ranked as a Top 85 Recruit (No. 4 IOL) in the 2025 On300

He’s repped by @AiC_Athletes https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/rnSam6IHVp
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 16, 2026

He is the fifth interior offensive lineman Kiffin has added, joining Sean Thompkins ( Baylor Bears), Ja'Mard Jones (Nicholls Colonels), William Satterwhite ( Tennessee Volunteers) and Ja'Quan Sprinkle (North Carolina Central Eagles).

Last season, LSU quarterbacks were sacked a total of 29 times. With Leavitt coming in, the Tigers are making it a top priority to protect the new quarterback.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: