LSU cornerback Duce Chestnut has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, he announced Tuesday evening.
Chestnut, a junior defensive back who started his career at Syracuse, was one of four cornerbacks who transferred to LSU before the 2023 season. But he, alongside Texas A&M transfer Denver Harris, was away from the Tigers for over half the season.
Now, he’s the second LSU defensive back to enter the portal this offseason. Sophomore corner Laterrance Welch was the first.
Sage Ryan, the converted safety who started nine games in 2023, announced on Dec. 15 that he intended to transfer. But a few days later, he changed his mind and decided to stay at LSU after Brian Kelly and his staff worked to convince him not to transfer.
Chestnut last played against Arkansas on Sept. 23 and ultimately, appeared in only four games.
As a result of the absences of Chestnut and Harris, the LSU defense was forced to rely on a rotating group of freshman and sophomores as its starting corners, especially after Southeastern transfer Zy Alexander was injured in the Tigers’ win over Army
Ryan eventually filled one spot. But freshmen Ashton Stamps, Javien Toviano and Jeremiah Hughes received significant playing time for the shorthanded Tigers.
So far, LSU has landed one defensive player from the transfer portal: Jardin Gilbert, the former four-star safety recruit from University High and Texas A&M.
