Lane Kiffin transfer portal losses: Brendan Sorsby, Kewan Lacy rejections deal setback to LSU's 2026 roster

Morgan Moriarty

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Lane Kiffin transfer portal losses: Brendan Sorsby, Kewan Lacy rejections deal setback to LSU's 2026 roster image

New LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is beginning to build his new roster for 2026 and beyond in Baton Rouge. Doing the same is Kiffin's successor, in new Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding. Golding, who was named the Rebels' new head coach shortly after Kiffin left for LSU in late November. 

With the Rebels advancing to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, Ole Miss players are still playing as the winter transfer portal window of Jan. 2 opened. Although Kiffin was expected to lure several of his former players to LSU so far, several big-name Oxford stars are returning to Ole Miss. In fact, despite Kiffin's history of being a successful recruiter of the transfer portal, his first 2026 class has gotten off to a slower start. 

Let's take a look at Kiffin's transfer portal class, as well as where several top targets ended up. 

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Lane Kiffin transfer portal losses 

QB Brendan Sorsbey 

Former Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby was a top target for LSU, as the No. 2 overall transfer portal prospect per 247Sports. He started his career at Indiana, but spent the last two seasons at Cincinnati. Over his last two seasons with the Bearcats, he's thrown for 5,613 yards with 45 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. 

With Garrett Nussmeier going to the NFL in 2026, LSU needs an experienced quarterback heading into next season. Although Sorsbey visited Baton Rouge after also visiting Texas Tech late last week, the signal-caller ended up committed to Texas Tech. He reportedly signed an NIL deal worth $5 million with the Red Raiders.

ESPN's Pete Thamel added that Tech's football facility played a big factor: 

Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy 

Ole Miss will have its star running back returning in 2026, in Kewan Lacy. On Tuesday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that the running back would be returning to Oxford in 2026.

He transferred to Ole Miss from Missouri, and has rushed for 1,464 yards with an SEC-leading 23 touchdowns. 

The news comes even as LSU was reportedly set to pursue Lacy if he entered the portal with a lucrative offer. Kiffin even brought former Ole Although Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith has followed Kiffin to Baton Rouge, the coach has coached the Rebels through its playoff run, and will stay for the Fiesta Bowl vs. Miami. 

QB Trinidad Chambliss 

Trinidad Chambliss' situation is a unique one. The fifth-year quarterback, who transferred to Ole Miss last year from DII Ferris State, is playing in his final season of NCAA eligibility.

But Chambliss has applied for a medical redshirt waiver from the NCAA for his 2022 season. That year at Ferris State, the quarterback had persistent respiratory issues, which ultimately led to him having surgery to remove his tonsils. 

Although initial feedback from the NCAA in early December indicated the panel was not inclined to issue a waiver, he has enlisted NCAA attorney Tom Mars to represent him. 

As of Jan. 6, the NCAA has not yet issued a decision on his waiver. But on Jan. 5, Chambliss has already officially announced he is returning to Ole Miss, if he does get an extra year:

Prior to Ole Miss' matchup against Georgia in the quarterfinals, he was asked if he had talked to Kiffin. Chambliss indicated that he has not, citing the NCAA's no tampering policy: 

"I'd have to consider what the best situation is for me," Chambliss told the Oxford media when asked about his future in late December. "What I feel most comfortable with. Who I trust the most."

Kiffin, along with his offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., helped discover Chambliss from DII and brought him to Ole Miss. 

QB Austin Simmons

Chambliss started the 2024 season as a backup behind Austin Simmons, who was Ole Miss' starter before getting hurt early in the year. Simmons entered the transfer portal on Jan. 6, and subsequently transferred to Missouri: 

Simmons could have been reunited with his former coach in Kiffin, but chose to go to Missouri instead. 

Michigan QB Bryce Underwood

Michigan just hired a new coach in Kyle Whittingham, which had several wondering about former five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood. Underwood, who was the Wolverines starter as a true freshman, was a longtime LSU commit before flipping in Nov. 2024. 

Although several expected Kiffin to be able to lure Underwood to Baton Rouge, the quarterback announced he is staying with the Wolverines: 

 

Ole Miss lands LSU OT Carius Carne

Ole Miss has even managed to flip at least one player from LSU to Oxford. Offensive tackle Carius Carne, listed as the portal's No. 1 overall offensive tackle for 2026, committed to Ole Miss on Tuesday: 

In the wake of the Brian Kelly and Lane Kiffin hires, LSU currently has 25 outgoing transfers, including big names like running back Caden Durham, defensive lineman Zion Williams and linebacker Jaiden Braker.  

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LSU transfer portal signings 2026

So far, LSU has signed just four players since the window opened on Jan. 2. Those names include Pitt tight end Malachi Thomas, Utah running back Raycine Guillory, Hawaii receiver Jackson Harris and Boise State safety Ty Benefield. 

PlayerFormer SchoolPortal Ranking
TE Malachi ThomasPittNo. 34 TE
RB Raycine GuilloryUtahNo. 75 RB
WR Jackson HarrisHawaiiNo. 31 WR
S Ty BenefieldBoise StateNo. 33 overall

Although Kiffin signed top transfer-portal classes during his time at Ole Miss, LSU's current transfer portal class ranks 14th in the nation, behind the likes of South Florida and Iowa State. When Kiffin was hired by LSU last year, the school reportedly was set to commit $25-30 million annually in roster building. 

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