The transfer portal has been a key aspect of Brian Kelly’s rebuilding of LSU. From Jayden Daniels to Mekhi Wingo, a few of LSU’s top contributors in recent years hailed from the portal.
A spot that needs addressing this year is the interior defensive line. The Tigers have just two returning scholarship players at defensive tackle in Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee. At a press conference last week, Kelly said Guillory has impressed this spring, especially against the run, but LSU is still looking to find or develop that second defensive tackle.
LSU hit the portal again, landing Wisconsin’s Gio Paez, a veteran defensive lineman with experience at the top level of the sport. The Tigers probably aren’t done and will look to beef up this spot further in the spring transfer window.
Here are five things you should know about LSU’s newest defensive linemen.
Brings immediate experience to DL room
Syndication: Journal Sentinel
LSU sorely needed experience at this spot. It’s hard to operate in the SEC with just two returning defensive tackles.
In 2023, Paez made seven starts and played 385 snaps. He has 590 career defensive snaps under his belt, which instantly makes him the second most experienced defensive tackle on the roster.
He’s totaled 35 career tackles and will be entering his sixth year of college football. He’s yet to prove himself in the SEC, but that experience matters.
Solid run defender
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Of the 58 Big Ten defensive tackles that played 100+ run snaps, Paez ranked 21st in PFF run defense grade. That’s not elite, but it does the job and he’s not a liability. He was top 20 in stop rate and ranked 12th in average depth of tackle.
LSU sat 82nd in yards per rush allowed last year, so this is a spot where the Tigers need help. Paez’s grade against the run was better than the number posted by any of LSU’s returning defensive tackles….
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