LSU football coach talks how top-ranked transfer is adjusting to LSU

Defensive end was a need for LSU football when the transfer portal opened and the Tigers swung big, signing former Florida State defensive end Patrick Payton. Per 247Sports, Payton was the No. 2-ranked EDGE in the portal and the top-ranked transfer of LSU’s portal class.

After LSU’s first day in full pads, head coach Brian Kelly met with the media and offered praise on what he’s seen thus far from the veteran edge defender.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. It’s a competitive situation. He knows it, but he’s learning every day,” Kelly said.

Playing time is up for grabs at LSU’s defensive end spots. The Tigers lost Bradyn Swinson and Sai’Vion Jones to the NFL, leaving LSU with big holes to fill. Payton’s experience gives him an inside track to a starting role. He played over 1,500 snaps in four years at Florida State.

“He came here because he wanted to obviously develop at a higher level, and not that they didn’t develop him at Florida State, but he was looking for more of that. That’s why he transferred. And we want to meet and exceed that, you know, his wishes,” Kelly said.

Kelly added that Payton is being asked to do some different things at LSU. He won’t be a situational player — he’s a guy LSU needs to contribute in every phase.

“This is a big workload for him, one that he’s not quite as familiar with, and he’s done a really good job of handling additional workload. And so he’s rounding into that kind of football shape that we all need him to be in to play at the highest level. But he’s been great,” Kelly said.

Payton totaled 90 career pressures and 14 sacks at Florida State. He was a key piece of the 2023 defense that was among the best in the country. LSU is hoping its defense can elevate to that level in 2025.