Underrated transfer emerging on LSU football's offense

LSU football signed the top-ranked transfer portal class in college football, with head coach Lane Kiffin leading the way. LSU added several top-10-ranked transfers, but the depth of the class is strong, too.

An underrated piece of the group could turn out to be former Wisconsin running back Dilin Jones. Now in Baton Rouge, Jones has turned heads in spring practice.

Reporter Jacques Doucet wrote that Jones "made some nice plays" and LSU is finding different ways to get Jones involved. Kiffin praised Jones at his presser on Tuesday as well

"He looks really good. He has come in and been good in protection, with his vision, with his feet, and running the ball, and has really been a bright spot. For a guy that wasn't a headliner (transfer), he's played like it. That's really critical," Kiffin said.

Jones was the No. 79-ranked running back in the portal. That won't stand out at first glance, but Jones is coming from Wisconsin, where he gained power conference experience. Jones ran for 300 yards and scored two touchdowns last year.

I’m intrigued to see what sophomore running back and Wisconsin transfer Dilin Jones does in this @Lane_Kiffin@LSUfootball offense. Jones has made some nice plays and #LSU seems to utilize him well in different ways.

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) April 14, 2026

Lane Kiffin on RB Dilin Jones: "He looks really good. He has come in and been good in protection, with his vision, with his feet, and running the ball, and has really been a bright spot. For a guy that wasn't a headliner (transfer), he's played like it. That's really critical."

— Harrison Valentine (@HValentineLSU) April 14, 2026

LSU secured the return of running backs Harlem Berry and Caden Durham, but the Tigers needed depth. Jones appears to be in a position to provide that depth, and potentially more. Berry is expected to be LSU's RB1, but Durham hasn't locked up the RB2 spot. Jones has the chance to battle Durham for more touches.