LSU has dipped into the transfer portal to add seven more newcomers to its football recruiting class.

Sticking to his plan for using the portal, head coach Brian Kelly said, “This group helps fill some immediate needs for our team, especially on the defensive line.”

The seven additions include four defensive lineman, along with two more to address the other most pressing need at cornerback.

Three have Louisiana roots, including wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who was the state’s top-rated recruit last season out of Karr High School in New Orleans before signing with Alabama.

He’ll have all four years of eligibility remaining after injuries this season forced him to redshirt with the Crimson Tide.

Anderson was perhaps too good to pass up as the Tigers are already loaded at the wide receiver position. But he could also address a glaring special teams need as in his senor year at Karr in 2021 he returned five kicks for touchdowns.

The rest, from near and far, are all on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackle Jalen Lee is coming home after signing with Florida out of Watson’s Live Oak High School. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining.

Another defensive tackle, Paris Shand, grew up in Toronto, Canada, but comes to LSU after two years at Arizona.

The other defensive linemen are Jordan Jefferson (no relation to the former Tiger quarterback) from Navarre, Fla., by way of West Virginia, and Bradyn Swanson, who’ll have two years remaining after playing the last two years at Oregon.

To bolster the secondary LSU is adding Zy Alexander, who made FCS All-American while intercepting six passes for Southeastern Louisiana this season, and Denver Harris from Texas A&M.

Alexander will have two years of eligibility remaining. Harris was one of the nation’s top recruits out of Houston’s North Shore High last year. But the 5-star prospect played only five games for the Aggies this season for he was suspended indefinitely by head coach Jimbo Fisher.

The transfers join 25 high school recruits the school announced on Wednesday.

“Our staff did a great job of vetting each of these players to make sure they fit our program,” Kelly said, “not only from an ability standpoint, but more importantly, ensuring they are high character young men who are committed to academics.

“It’s important that when you add transfers to your roster, they have the traits we are looking for as we continue our mission to Graduate Champions.

“Along with the outstanding group of freshmen we signed on Wednesday, we feel with this group of young men will significantly improve our roster for the present and the future of LSU football.”

LSU Class of 2023 transfers

Player Pos Ht/Wt Hometown (former school)

Zy Alexander CB 6-3/185 Loreauville (SE Louisiana)

FCS All-American, All-SLC …. 6 interceptions this season … Two years of eligibility.

Aaron Anderson WR 5-9/185 New Orleans (Alabama)

5-star out of Karr was La.’s top 2020 prospect but limited to 1 game due to injuries at Bama.

Denver Harris CB 6-1/175 Houston (Texas A&M)

5-star out of HS, was suspended after playing 5 games for Aggies.

Jordan Jefferson DT 6-4/305 Navarre, Fla (West Virginia)

2-year starter at WVU … Led team with 9.5 TFLs, 3 sacks this season … 1 year of eligibility.

Jalen Lee DT 6-2/308 Watson (Florida)

4 star out of HS … Started 4 games at UF … 2 tackles … 2 years of eligibility.

Paris Shand DT 6-5/290 Toronto, Can. (Arizona)

7 starts at Arizona this season … 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks … 2 years eligibility.

Bradyn Swinson DE 6-4/233 Douglasville, Ga. (Oregon)

Promising edge rusher has 2 years eligibility … 2.5 TFLs this season … Highly recruited out of HS.