LSU running back room takes another hit with transfer departure
By David Wasson
Published:
The Lane Kiffin era at LSU is seeing some early offensive defections, as Tigers running back Kaleb Jackson joined Ju’Juan Johnson on Friday in announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal.
Jackson shared the news with On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
The 6-foot, 234-pound junior Jackson was used sparingly in 2025, earning just 7 carries for 16 yards as the Tigers struggled to a 7-5 season. Jackson’s strongest season in Baton Rouge was his freshman campaign in 2023, when he totaled 33 carries for 165 yards and 4 touchdowns. He followed that up with a sophomore stint totaling 44 carries for 150 yards.
Jackson also flashed range as a pass catcher out of the backfield, hauling in 17 receptions for 132 yards in 3 seasons at LSU.
Jackson’s impending transfer leaves LSU with only 2 scholarship running backs – Caden Durham and Harlem Berry – heading into 2026. So Kiffin and Co. will almost certainly hit the portal to shore up LSU’s depth at the position. Durham finished 2025 as the Tigers’ leading rusher at 505 yards on 106 carries and 3 touchdowns, while Berry totaled 446 yards on 101 carries and 2 TDs.
The Tigers are set to play No. 21 Houston (9-3) in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 27 (9:15 pm ET, ESPN). Kiffin was lured away from Ole Miss in controversial fashion to replace the fired Brian Kelly.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
