LSU football, a perennial powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), has always been known for its elite defensive units. Whether it’s legendary defensive backs like Tyrann Mathieu or elite defensive lines, LSU has consistently produced top-tier talent. However, as college football evolves, so too do the needs of programs, especially in the secondary. LSU’s safety position is one area that may need to be addressed in the upcoming seasons. With the growing prominence of the NCAA transfer portal, head coach Brian Kelly and his staff are sure to be active in the market, looking for instant-impact players to bolster the secondary.
After a strong 2023 season, LSU’s defense showed signs of improvement, particularly under defensive coordinator Matt House. But for the Tigers to remain competitive in the SEC, especially with offenses like Alabama, Ole Miss, and Georgia lighting up scoreboards, the safety position is one area where LSU can add depth, athleticism, and experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore three transfer safeties LSU football could target to improve their defensive backfield.
### 1. **Jordan Domineck (Arkansas, Safety/Hybrid)**
**Background:**
Jordan Domineck, a versatile defensive back who played for Arkansas, offers both experience and versatility. While primarily a safety, Domineck has demonstrated the ability to play multiple roles in the secondary, including as a linebacker and in hybrid safety/linebacker positions. His experience in the SEC and physicality would make him an immediate asset to LSU’s defense.
**Why LSU Should Target Him:**
LSU is known for its aggressive, blitz-heavy defensive schemes, and Domineck’s ability to contribute as a hybrid player could provide immediate flexibility. Domineck thrives in both pass coverage and run support, which is a key requirement for an SEC safety. His physicality at the line of scrimmage and his ability to cover ground quickly in coverage would complement LSU’s current defensive backs and help improve their ability to match up against fast-paced offenses in the SEC.
In 2023, Domineck totaled 55 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, along with 2 interceptions and 3 pass breakups. His ability to both disrupt the passing game and contribute in the run game would provide LSU with a safety who can help against the run-heavy teams in the SEC, such as Alabama and Mississippi State, while also being able to handle the pass-heavy attacks like Ole Miss and Florida.
LSU could use Domineck as a versatile piece in Matt House’s defense. He can either line up closer to the line of scrimmage as a “strong” safety or deep in coverage as a “free” safety. His skillset is perfect for the type of hybrid role LSU has used in recent seasons, where safeties are expected to be versatile and play multiple positions depending on the situation.
**Projection for LSU:**
Given his experience in the SEC and his ability to thrive in multiple roles, Domineck could be a day-one starter for LSU. His physical style and leadership would instantly improve the Tigers’ secondary, particularly in critical SEC matchups.
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### 2. **Tyler Nubin (Minnesota, Safety)**
**Background:**
Tyler Nubin is an experienced safety who played four years for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. As a team captain and leader in the secondary, Nubin was one of the top performers for Minnesota, finishing his career with 15 career interceptions and consistently playing at a high level in both run support and pass coverage. His combination of experience, ball skills, and leadership would make him an ideal candidate for LSU’s defense.
**Why LSU Should Target Him:**
Nubin is known for his playmaking ability. He has a natural instinct for finding the ball, whether it’s tracking down the quarterback or jumping routes in coverage. In 2023, Nubin totaled 50 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups, showcasing his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. His experience as a ball hawk would be invaluable for LSU, a team that has sometimes struggled with creating turnovers in recent seasons. Nubin’s ability to be a playmaker on the back end would give LSU’s defense an edge against high-powered offenses that often test secondary units.
Additionally, LSU’s defense has emphasized making game-changing plays—particularly through turnovers. In the SEC, where games can often come down to one or two critical moments, Nubin’s ability to create turnovers would help LSU win those close battles. His ball awareness and instincts are traits that LSU could greatly benefit from, particularly in a conference where quarterback play is often dynamic and offenses can score quickly.
Nubin’s leadership qualities would also play a huge role in helping the Tigers’ young safeties develop and excel. He would be able to provide mentorship to underclassmen and offer invaluable knowledge to the defense as a whole.
**Projection for LSU:**
If LSU could land Nubin, it would be a huge win. Nubin is the kind of experienced, high-IQ player who can step in and make an immediate impact. Whether as a starter or a key rotational player, Nubin’s ball skills and leadership would immediately elevate LSU’s secondary and provide a reliable presence at the safety position.
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### 3. **Jalen Catalon (Arkansas, Safety)**
**Background:**
Jalen Catalon is one of the most dynamic safeties in the SEC when healthy. Although injuries have limited his playing time in recent seasons, Catalon has shown when he’s on the field, he’s a true playmaker. Catalon is a hard-hitting safety with exceptional coverage skills. He’s particularly known for his ability to come up with clutch interceptions and make big plays in key moments. In 2021, he earned All-SEC honors after a stellar season, and despite being sidelined by injuries in 2022, he returned to action in 2023 with an impressive performance.
**Why LSU Should Target Him:**
Catalon’s upside makes him one of the most intriguing targets in the transfer portal. If LSU can keep him healthy, Catalon could be an immediate starter with the potential to become one of the best safeties in the nation. He’s a true ball hawk, with an excellent ability to read the quarterback’s eyes, and he’s shown he can thrive in both man and zone coverage schemes.
In his standout 2021 season, Catalon registered 99 tackles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups. He demonstrated excellent range as a deep safety, and his ability to read plays before they develop made him a force in Arkansas’ secondary. Catalon would give LSU a safety who can cover a lot of ground, disrupt passing plays, and also provide physicality in the run game.
Furthermore, Catalon’s leadership would be invaluable in helping to shore up the back end of LSU’s defense. His experience playing in the SEC would make him an ideal fit for the Tigers, who are tasked with stopping some of the best quarterbacks and offensive players in the nation.
**Projection for LSU:**
Catalon is a high-risk, high-reward prospect given his injury history, but if LSU can get him healthy and keep him on the field, he could be a game-changer. His combination of physicality, coverage skills, and leadership would give LSU one of the most dynamic safety duos in the country. His ability to impact both the passing and running game would make him an invaluable asset to Matt House’s defense.
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### Conclusion
As LSU looks to continue competing for championships in the SEC, addressing the safety position via the transfer portal should be a top priority. Jordan Domineck, Tyler Nubin, and Jalen Catalon all present different but complementary skill sets that could elevate LSU’s secondary to the next level. Whether it’s Domineck’s versatility, Nubin’s playmaking ability, or Catalon’s physicality and leadership, any of these players would make an immediate impact on the field.
In a conference where games are often decided by a handful of plays, having a talented, experienced safety can make all the difference. If LSU can add one or more of these transfer portal targets, they will be in a strong position to compete for SEC and national titles in the coming seasons.
