Following a 31-24 loss to then-No. 17 Vanderbilt on Saturday, LSU has a must-win game coming up in Week 9 when they host No. 3 Texas A&M.
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The Tigers entered the season with a No. 9 ranking and hopes of making the College Football Playoff. Things looked good after a 17-10 win over then-No. 4 Clemson in Week 1, but a 24-19 loss to then No. 13 Ole Miss on Sept. 27 and Vandy in Week 8 has the Tigers in jeopardy of missing the CFP if they lose another game.
Following Saturday night’s contest against the Aggies, LSU has two more games against ranked SEC teams. They must go on the road to play No. 4 Alabama on Nov. 8 and will finish the regular season against No. 13 Oklahoma on Nov. 29.
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LSU will do so without a key depth play in the secondary.
Per Pete Nakos of On3, cornerback Ashton Stamps is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal. On Wednesday, LSU head coach Brian Kelly confirmed Stamps is no longer with the Tigers.
“He is no longer on the roster,” Kelly said of Stamps, but declined to provide further details on the junior cornerback.
Stamps, a 6-foot, 190-pound athlete from Harvey, Louisiana, had an impressive 2024 season. He started in 13 games, making 50 total tackles and 12 passes defensed. He’s started in 17 games during his three seasons in Baton Rouge.
Stamps earned limited reps this season. He appeared in three games, recording one total tackle and two passes defensed.
The Tigers have relied on senior Mansoor Delane, sophomore PJ Woodland and freshman DJ Pickett at cornerback through the first seven games. The loss of Stamps could be significant if something happens to one of those players in the remaining five games.
LSU’s cornerbacks will be tested on Saturday night when they face Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed. The sophomore has thrown for 1,770 yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Wide receiver Mario Craver has been Reed’s top target, recording 33 receptions for 674 yards and four touchdowns.
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