The LSU Tigers still don't have a quarterback, but they did just land their biggest get of the transfer portal yet, as former five-star defensive end Jordan Ross has signed, per Pete Nakos of On3Sports.
Ross was the No. 9 overall player in the 247Sports composite rankings. He was the top edge rusher in a class that included Dylan Stewart and Colin Simmons. This is someone who clearly had sky-high expectations.
One of the reasons that he is in the portal, though, is that he has not lived up to those expectations with the Tennessee Volunteers. He has 26 tackles with five for a loss and 1.5 sacks through two seasons in Rocky Top.
He never really cracked the starting lineup and only really played on passing downs. Pro Football Focus has credited him with 13 pressures in 132 pass-rush snaps for his career, which is slightly better in context but still not fantastic.
Ross will have all the opportunity to shine in a crowded Tigers defense where offensive lines won't be able to focus on him.
This has been a fantastic few weeks of defensive line news for LSU. Blake Baker returns to lead what should be one of the best defenses in the country. Kevin Peoples returns to the staff to coach the EDGE rushers and star recruiter Sterling Lucas came over from the South Carolina Gamecocks to become the new defensive line coach.
Ross joins Jaylen Brown, Stephiylan Green and Malik Blocton as the transfer portal additions to the line. They will look to be the veteran presence in a room that is adding one of the most stacked defensive line recruiting classes of all time.
Lamar Brown and Richard Anderson are the two best interior defensive line recruits in the country. Trenton Henderson and Deuce Geralds are both top-70 recruits overall and top-10 at their positions.
It's unclear how much these star freshman players will be relied on in their first years, but they certainly look capable of contributing early.
Lane Kiffin and the Tigers coaching staff is doing a good job of keeping the pressure off of them, though, by bringing in a solid group of transfers.