Brian Kelly had good success with the transfer portal in his 1st season as LSU head coach.

Of course, the valedictorian of the 1st transfer class was quarterback Jayden Daniels.

But other players — such as punter Jay Bramblett, running back Noah Cain, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo and defensive backs Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Greg Brooks Jr., Joe Foucha and Mekhi Garner — also had significant impact.

Others — such as offensive linemen Tre’Mond Shorts and Miles Frazier, wide receiver Kyren Lacy, linebacker West Weeks and defensive back Sevyn Banks — didn’t have as big an impact. But their presence made life easier for Kelly and his staff than it otherwise would have been.

Kelly still has a lot of work to do in building the Tigers’ roster, and the transfer portal will be a very important avenue for building the 2023 team.

Here are LSU’s 5 biggest transfer portal needs for 2023:

5. Linebacker

The Tigers have an All-SEC-caliber player to build around as Harold Perkins Jr. enters his sophomore season.

But they have holes to plug around him.

Micah Baskerville and Mike Jones Jr. were 2 of the more important defenders on the team, not just because of their playmaking but also because of their veteran leadership.

So far, the Tigers have just 1 4-star linebacker commitment in their 2023 high school class. They might add more, but in any event they’re going to need depth and maturity through the portal.

4. Wide receiver

This was thought to be the deepest and most talented position group on the team, but the productivity fell far short of expectations.

The unit loses Jaray Jenkins, and even if no one else chooses to leave — either for the NFL or to enter the portal — this group still needs an upgrade.

It’s still a group featuring a lot of talent, and a couple of 4-star high school recruits have committed. But it won’t reach the level Kelly desires without a boost from the portal.

3. Defensive line

This group has a big hole to fill after the graduation of end Ali Gaye.

LSU has 2 4-star high school commitments on the line — a lineman and an edge rusher — but the Tigers need to upgrade the depth on the line significantly.

Maason Smith, who was expected to be the most dynamic lineman on the defense before suffering a season-ending injury in the opener, will return. But his absence demonstrated that the line’s depth was inadequate.

LSU ideally would like to get multiple SEC-ready defensive linemen through the portal.

2. Running back

Kelly has said that this position was not as well-stocked in 2022 as it needs to be going forward.

Josh Williams, John Emery Jr., Cain and Armoni Goodwin have all had good moments. But LSU needs a lead back and more explosive options in the backfield.

The Tigers have 2 4-star high school prospects committed. But the portal is more likely to provide a runner capable of immediately being one of the top rushers in the SEC.

This year’s team was overly dependent on Daniels, who was the leading rusher with 818 yards.

But the 2023 Tigers need to have a running back as the primary ball carrier.

1. Defensive back

This group featured the most transfers in 2022, and another infusion will be necessary for 2023. The departing senior class includes a bunch of DBs — Jay Ward, Bernard-Converse, Garner, Foucha, Todd Harris Jr. and Colby Richardson.

The Tigers have 4 4-star high school commitments in the secondary — 3 safeties and 1 cornerback — so they might not need as many transfers here as they did a year ago. But a couple of really good defensive backs would be helpful.