Finally, LSU football has expanded its roster to include a transfer defensive tackle.
Jay’viar Suggs, a transfer from Grand Valley State, committed to LSU on Wednesday night, capping a month-long hunt for defensive tackles.
In an effort to bolster the position, the Tigers now have an additional defensive interior option when Suggs makes his decision public on social media. Flint, Michigan native Suggs choose LSU over Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin. For two years, he is qualified.
Suggs, who is 6-foot-3 and 282 pounds, participated in 22 games for Grand Valley State throughout the previous two seasons. His totals for the two seasons were identical: 42 tackles, 14 ½ tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 4 hurries.
Suggs, a sixth-year senior from Wisconsin, became LSU’s second defensive tackle transfer this offseason.
Suggs had a relationship with LSU that aided in his recruitment. At Grand Valley State, where he won two Division II national titles, LSU coach Brian Kelly began his coaching career. Kelly’s younger son, Kenzel, was a player for Suggs.
Prior to receiving a scholarship offer from LSU last week, Suggs had narrowed down his options to six final schools. The day after he received the offer, he announced an updated top 4, which included LSU. After that, he made his final trip to Baton Rouge on Sunday and Tuesday before going back home to make his choice.
LSU has spent weeks looking for transfer defensive tackles before adding Suggs. After Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo announced their intentions to enter the NFL draft, the position became more important because they were leaving behind experienced players and depth. Five scholarship defensive tackles, one of whom was a converted offensive lineman, participated in LSU’s spring practice.
LSU pursued Michigan State senior Simeon Barrow and TCU junior Damonic Williams as players entered the transfer portal last month. It hosted them both, but a major element in their decisions, according to insiders, was that they wanted more NIL money than the Tigers were prepared to give. Barrow selected Miami, and Williams selected Oklahoma.
Philip Blidi, a transfer from Indiana, and CJ West, a transfer from Kent State, were also awarded scholarships by LSU. After visiting Baton Rouge, Blidi traveled to Auburn. West promised to stay in Indiana.
The online roster for LSU currently lists nine defensive tackles. Ahmad Breaux, a rookie, was shifted inside, and this summer, Suggs, Paez, and five-star rookie Dominick McKinley will be joining him. Preston Hickey, the preferred walk-on, might also be in the mix for snaps while LSU works out its depth chart. Jalen Lee and Jacobian Guillory, both sixth-year seniors, kicked off the spring game.
