ESPN ranked every SEC team’s offseason: Where does LSU football land?

While most attribute the feeling of summer’s arrival to the weather, many college football fans feel it more in the quiet that descends around the sport once spring practice finally finishes. We’ve reached that point now, giving the media an opportunity to take a good, solid look back at how each team performed this offseason. ESPN is the latest to do so, as writers Eli Lederman, Max Olson and Adam Rittenberg took on the tall task of ranking each Power Four team’s offseason by conference.

When looking at which program underwent the most change this offseason, it’s hard to name any team other than LSU football. The Tigers hired one of the biggest names in college football in former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. They also brought in a 40-man transfer class that ESPN itself ranked the best in the country. They rebuilt a roster and program that were in dire straits after last season, but, surprisingly, it wasn't enough to earn the title of the best offseason in the SEC.

TEMPE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 25: Sam Leavitt #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils warms up before the NCAAF game at Mountain America Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Tempe, Arizona. The Cougars defeated the Sun Devils 24-16. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Did LSU football deserve the top spot?

Although LSU landed at No. 1 in ESPN’s transfer portal class rankings, earned the top spot on this list. They signed ESPN’s No. 2 overall player in the portal, wide receiver , along with the No. 1 and No. 3 running backs, and . Beyond the top three, they also signed a couple of top-ranked defenders and retooled an offensive line that had some uncharacteristic struggles last season. Texas also brought on Will Muschamp to be their defensive coordinator, a shocking move, given the fact that he hasn’t held that role in over a decade.