Few discussions can take up as much space as a good old trade debate.
Every time the trade deadline ends in pro sports, fans wait on the edge of their seats, excited to see what their team might do. College football has the transfer portal, but it’s just not as fun as a trade. Since it’s the off-season, it’s time to take a look at what could happen if trades were allowed.
I’m not advocating that trades are a college sports thing. Since players are also educated, they should be able to choose which school to attend rather than at the whim of a general manager like many pro athletes. This is just a fun way to look at the rosters for the coming year.
LSU patched a few holes in the transfer portal this year, but there are still some obvious needs. It could use a tight ending, and there are some SEC teams that have a tight ending to give away. The Tigers are also well placed in other areas, such as running back, where they have some leeway to trade a player.
In the imaginary world of the college football trade, here’s what would make the most sense for LSU.
Myles Brennan, Bo Bordelon and West Weeks to Missouri for Zeke Powell and Luke Griffin
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LSU and Missouri are both looking to improve this year after really struggling in 2021
Missouri needs a quarterback after Conor Bazelak transfer and misses Jayden Daniels. They could also use some linebacker help after having one of the worst defenses in the country last year.
Myles Brennan could come in and start immediately for Missouri, still leaving LSU with three scholarship quarterbacks. West Weeks could compete and offer depth in defense.
Missouri has some depth at OL and LSU has been looking for offensive linemen for quite some time. The Tigers have talent there and even some experience, but in this scenario they would add Zeke Powell and Luke Griffin.
Powell and Griffin haven’t secured starting spots in Missouri and wouldn’t be a ban to start at LSU, but both have skills and have shown they are competent SEC starters.
LSU would also send Bo Bordelon to give Missouri a young play on the OL to develop in place of Powell and Griffin.
Jack Bech and Zavier Carter to Georgia for Oscar Delp
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As previously mentioned, LSU really needs a tight end and Georgia currently has three blue-chip tight ends in her room.
Oscar Delp hasn’t even snapped yet, but big things are expected of the top 100 recruit. Bech looks like he could be on his way to becoming one of the most reliable pass catchers in the SEC and will only be a sophomore.
Carter is a gifted pass rusher and would fit right in on the Georgia defense trying to build some depth after many stars have moved to the NFL.
It would be a risk for LSU to give up two blue-chip players who already have some experience for a man fresh out of high school, but Delp would narrowly solve his problems.
Jordan Allen to Florida for Brenton Cox Jr.
Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner
On the surface, LSU becomes the better player here. Cox is an established SEC defense attorney, and Jordan Allen will only be a freshman.
Reality would probably call for LSU to throw in a bit more, but since that’s not real we don’t need to figure out who that would be.
Billy Napier preached patience in Florida. No matter what happens this year, he won’t be fired. Cox is a good player, but he’ll likely move to the NFL after the season and doesn’t figure in the Gators’ future plans.
In all, UF gives a player to develop and be part of the program that is building Napier.
Garrett Nussmeier to Kentucky for Grant Bingham
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If the Brennan trade went ahead, that would be off the table, but if LSU wanted to get value out of another quarterback, Nussmeier would have many admirers.
He’s seen limited game action, but spring training reports showed that Nussmeier was on the right track, and for a blue-chip quarterback, that’s a big deal.
Kentucky will need someone to replace Will Levis and there is no obvious candidate on the list. Nussmeier could sit for another year and then have a fairly easy way into the starting XI next year.
LSU regains a four-star OL, joining Will Campbell as the future of the offensive line.
Micah Baskerville to Texas for T’Vondre Sweat
LSU linebacker Micah Baskerville (23) plays in the second half of an NCAA college football game versus Louisiana-Monroe in Baton Rouge, La., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Texas isn’t in the SEC yet, but that’s working out better than any of the remaining options in the conference. LSU was once in a bad position as a linebacker, but after signing day and some additions to the transfer portal, the Tigers are looking pretty good.
UT could use some talent in this space, and Baskerville provides that. The Longhorns’ defense struggled in 2021, and at Baskerville they would get a man who has proven himself at the SEC level.
In the case of LSU, you can never have enough defenders, and T’Vondre Sweat provides a strong center presence.
