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BREAKING: LSU lands top Transfer Portal target Bernard Gooden

On3 imageby:Shea Dixon•about 13 hours•

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LSU has landed USF Transfer Portal DT Bernard Gooden (Photo: Bernard Gooden IG)
LSU has landed USF Transfer Portal DT Bernard Gooden (Photo: Bernard Gooden IG)

LSU has landed a commitment from South Florida transfer defensive tackle Bernard Gooden, who was one of the most coveted linemen available.

Gooden, who began his visit to LSU late-Thursday evening, made his decision to transfer to the Tigers on Saturday morning, he tells On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Gooden’s first visit was to Baton Rouge, and the LSU Football staff wasted no time locking the talented defensive tackle in before he made a planned visit to Ole Miss on Saturday. Miami and SMU were also pushing to lock in visits, though the trips won’t happen now that Gooden is on board with the Tigers.

An All-AAC Honorable Mention selection in 2024, Gooden posted 35 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 2024. A former Wake Forest transfer, the defensive lineman closed out 2024 with 27 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.

Gooden is the first transfer addition for LSU Football in the second portal window. The Tigers only had one scholarship player enter the portal during the second window this spring as 3-star signee Dilan Battle chose to head elsewhere after working through the program’s 15 practices this offseason.

With the addition of Gooden, the Tigers get another experienced veteran alongside Jacobian Guillory as the defensive tackle room continues to grow under first-year defensive line coach Kyle Williams, who is also tasked with bringing along second-year LSU defensive tackles like former 5-star Dominick McKinley and former Ruston star Ahmad Breaux, who was coached by Williams in high school.

Headed into the spring portal window, LSU’s main focus was on defensive tackle, then the safety position.

Now, Gooden’s commitment gives the defensive tackle room a big boost, and the LSU staff will turn the focus to potentially adding a defensive back.

Stay tuned to The Bengal Tiger for the latest scoop on LSU Football’s moves made in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

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