The LSU Tigers needed to address their safety position after losing two of their top three players to either the 2025 NFL Draft or the transfer portal. Major Burns signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, and Sage Ryan transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels for the 2025 season. Also, Jardin Gilbert, their projected starter, will miss all of spring practice to recover from shoulder surgery, leaving the position thin.
Because of this, the Tigers could add a starting-caliber safety in the spring portal to compensate for their losses.
LSU Tigers secure top defensive player in transfer portal
According to Pete Thamel, LSU landed former New Mexico Lobos and Houston Cougars star safety A.J. Haulcy from the spring transfer portal for the 2025 season, over Miami. Haulcy has one final year of college eligibility remaining. He was considered the best defensive player available in the portal.
Former Houston safety A.J. Haulcy has committed to LSU on his visit, per @APSportsAgency. He was one of top remaining players in the NCAA transfer portal. He picked LSU over Miami. pic.twitter.com/mJYzq9JADe
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 5, 2025
He had a great stint at Houston
After spending the first year of his college career with the New Mexico Lobos, A.J. Haulcy transferred to the Houston Cougars for the 2023 season. Haulcy had a great stint with Houston, recording 172 tackles, one TFL, five interceptions, and 12 pass deflections in 24 games. His accolades include a First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2024.
Haulcy broke out during his junior year, boasting career-highs in interceptions and pass deflections. He recorded 74 tackles, five interceptions, and eight pass deflections in 12 games. He gave up a 61.5% completion percentage, 159 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a 64.9 passer rating per PFF.
