Star running back Caden Durham stays put as the LSU Tigers secure a proven talent alongside Harlem Berry, bolstering their backfield for the upcoming season.
A great day for LSU Tigers transfer portal news continues on Monday as star running back Caden Durham has withdrawn his name and will return to the school, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
This is a big get for the Tigers as they still needed a proven player alongside the assumed star of the room for 2026 in Harlem Berry. The two main pieces of the LSU running back room from this past season will now run it back.
While the production wasn't where the Tigers wanted it to be last year, no one was doubting the talent in the room. The offensive line and overall deficiencies on that side of the ball did not set the backs up for success.
Durham was projected to break out into star after his exciting true freshman campaign. While that didn't happen, he still showed flashes of the player that he was and can possibly take another step in the Kiffin offense.
Over two seasons with LSU, Durham has run the ball 251 times for 1,258 yards with nine touchdowns. He has also caught the ball 44 times for 351 yards and two more scores.
It wasn't shocking that he entered the transfer portal. Berry has been expected to be the bell cow of this Kiffin offense, similar to what Kewan Lacy was for the Ole Miss Rebels this season.
The Tigers likely don't want to have to run the ball over 300 times with one player like the Rebels did this year. Having two talented running backs will help keep players fresh for longer.
All eyes will be on the passing game with recently added quarterback Sam Leavitt and a crowded wide receiver group, but the running back room just got a bit more exciting itself.