LSU linebacker Antoine Sampah to enter transfer portal

LSU Tigers linebacker Antoine Sampah is entering the NCAA transfer portal, the SEC program confirmed on Monday. A former four-star recruit, Sampah has battled injuries since his days in high school and did not make an appearance for LSU last season.

Head coach Brian Kelly says Sampah has been medically cleared and can play football. However, the plan is to find a new school and give a fresh breath of air to his career.

Sampah appeared in four games as a true freshman, locking down a redshirt spot. He was not able to record any statistics and will leave Baton Rouge without playing significant snaps for the Tigers.

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The On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services, ranked Sampah as the No. 101 player nationally in the 2020 class. He was a top three prospect inside his home state of Virginia and the No. 15 linebacker.

Choosing to play in the Bayou, Sampah will now search for a new home. Sampah held 24 offers coming out of high school and from of the top programs in the nation. Before committing to LSU, schools such as Alabama, Clemson, Florida, and North Carolina were involved with Sampah.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly discusses John Emery suspension

Brian Kelly has been singing the praises of LSU running back John Emery, but it was revealed the exciting ball carrier would be forced to miss the Tigers first two games of the season due to an academic suspension stemming from last year.

Upon hearing the news, LSU faithful has been hoping for a possible reversal of the suspension. On Monday, Kelly addressed the situation regarding Emery, as well as a potential for reversal.

“I’ve spoken on this before, and John’s done everything that would allow him to be in good standing in the football program,” started Kelly. “But you know, I have things that are out of my control, as it relates to who I can play. That’s not something that I can comment on.”

Evidently, Kelly’s hands are tied — the suspension of Emery is out of his control, regardless of how much he wants his running back on the field to begin the season.

Moreover, Florida State is the first game of the suspension, while LSU’s home opener against Southern will be the final game.