The LSU Tigers and Lane Kiffin received great news a few days ago when Blake Baker rebuffed the teams hoping to hire him as head coach and instead decided to return as the defense coordinator.

This helped the Tigers limit the losses felt from a coaching change on the recruiting trail for the early signing period and should be able to help them from roster turnover once the transfer portal opens up on January 2.

Most of the staff, along with Baker, will remain the same with the only change being across the defensive line. That should help keep talent in-house, but anything can happen in the transfer portal era.

Here are four current LSU players that should be priorities for Kiffin and company:

Of anyone mentioned on this list, Pickett is the least likely to actually enter the portal. Especially after Corey Raymond's return was confirmed. Still he's such a highly valued talent that the Tigers will likely need to up whatever NIL commitments that have already been made.

The true freshman wasn't a starter this season, but was nearly impossible to keep off the field for much of it. He was targeted just 31 times in 441 snaps and allowed just 15 catches. He finished the year with three interceptions. He's already an elite corner and will only stand to get better.

McKinley is a former five-star defensive lineman from the 2024 class that hasn't had the most dominant start to his time at LSU, which could lead him to seek new opportunities. With the amount of turnover that will hit the defensive line, though, the Tigers will need to have at least some players with some experience there.

The defensive tackle is already a space eater up the middle and has flashed as a pass rusher. He'll be in line for more work, probably as a starter, if he sticks around. His brother, Darryus, recently decommitted from LSU and flipped to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Tigers could be in trouble if Dominick does the same.

Speaking of playing in line for more work, Singleton has had seen than 70 snaps over his first two seasons. With players like Harold Perkins, West Weeks and potentially Whit Weeks moving on, there will be more linebacker snaps up for grabs.

Singleton is a fantastic athlete that can play all over the defense. He could work into that Perkins role as a linebacker that can also cover the slot. While the opportunity hasn't come for him yet, this is a player with a high ceiling. It would be a shame to see him go just as some playing time could go his way.