LSU's roster decimated by turnover, down to less than half of scholarship allotment for Texas Bowl

LSU’s roster is completely decimated right now. The Tigers have been dealt with a plethora of opt outs, transfer portal additions, and NFL Draft declarations. Entering the Texas Bowl against Kansas State on Tuesday, LSU has just 39 scholarship players available, which is less than half of the allotted amount, according to The Athletic’s Brody Miller.

“The Tigers have just 39 available scholarship players, by The Athletic’s count, and no scholarship quarterbacks,” Miller said. “Its secondary has just one real starter available. The two best defensive players — linebacker Damone Clark and defensive tackle Neil Farrell — opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. All of this in a game against a well-rounded Kansas State team that would have been favored even before the absences.”

Offensively, LSU is going to be pulling deep from its bag of tricks in the Texas Bowl. With no scholarship quarterbacks available and some key offensive weapons also unavailable, the Tigers will need to find offensive contributions from some unproven places.

LSU’s leading rusher, Tyrion-Davis Price, is out after he declared for the NFL Draft. The Tigers have also lost multiple wide receivers to the NCAA Transfer Portal, while Kayshon Boutte is still injured.

LSU’s defense is also shorthanded for the Texas Bowl

In addition to missing multiple players on offense, LSU is without nearly an entire position group in the Texas Bowl. Star corner Derek Stingley is out, while Eli Ricks has transferred away. There are just three scholarship cornerbacks on LSU’s depth chart.

“LSU’s secondary is crushed beyond belief this time, with safety Jay Ward its only established player available,” Miller added. “The listed starters in three cornerback spots are two Nicholls transfers in Pig Cage and Darren Evans in addition to true freshman backup Damarius McGhee. Five-star Sage Ryan is on the depth chart at nickel, but the fact he’s behind Cage indicates he might not be fully available.”

The Athletic reports that multiple other defensive stars are out, including starting linebackers Damone Clark and Micah Baskerville.

“Clemson transfer Mike Jones Jr. is listed as one starter,” Miller said. “Jones improved as the season progressed, so it will be good for him to get a full start. The other is freshman Greg Penn, a high-upside prospect who hasn’t played much at all but who Clark raved about in November saying Penn could be the next LSU star at linebacker.”

LSU released its depth chart for the Texas Bowl on Sunday, although it includes Garrett Nussmeier, who will not play.

The depth chart #LSU released for Tuesday’s Texas Bowl.

Drives home just how depleted the roster is. Barely 40 guys available who arrived at LSU on scholarship.

CB is most notable. Freshman Damarius McGhee, Nicholls transfer Darren Evans + walk-on Lloyd Cole only ones listed. pic.twitter.com/QOXYDoFadU

— Shea Dixon (@Sheadixon) January 2, 2022