A thousand in the transfer portal and a hundred more in the WNBA draft. If there’s one person that made clear she wasn’t going to be a part of this chaos unfolding in the off season, it was Flau’jae Johnson. There’s plenty and more love for her team, enough hunger for another shot at the title, and the massive paycheck to compliment. There was nothing luring Johnson away from her post. But did the star guard just hint at something otherwise? Even if she did, fans don’t seem to be buying it.

Flau’jae Johnson and the WNBA draft saga began back in November, when she said, “If you don’t know, I am eligible for the [WNBA] Draft this year. So I’m kind of just letting God guide me.” But that was the only time the Big 4 was ever gonna keep her fans in the dark. Turning pro was a big no for her just yet, and she made it known over the following months. But was leaving LSU still on the table? If it wasn’t, it sure is seeming like a possibility now. 

“4 out,” Flau’jae Johnson wrote, sharing a few images of her time on the court in the LSU jersey. And that’s all it took to send the LSU faithful into a tailspin. Or rather, it was the initial spark. Because Johnson had more in store. 

Over on Instagram, the Big 4 got personal. She shared 14 heartfelt photos with a message that read, “LSU FOREVER! 🐯 I’m finally pouring my heart out about the end of our season…” It read like a love letter—and a farewell.

She talked about the heartbreak of missing out on another title. Then she dropped a Bible verse—Proverbs 16:9—to remind everyone that life doesn’t always go as planned. Still, she was thankful. Johnson celebrated her growth. Then came the gratitude- for her fans, for her teammates, and for LSU. “To Louisiana State University, I’m forever indebted for the opportunity to pursue my dreams,” she wrote. 

While this may have been the end-of-the-season note, as she suggested, more so, because, a few of her teammates — Last-Tear Poa, Sa’Myah Smith, Shy, and Aneesah Morrow — will all be leaving behind the LSU colors soon, one could hardly ignore the tone was hinting at something more. She even had a last line to top it off. “Stay tuned for a major announcement soon… 4 junior year out!” No mention of Coach Kim Mulkey. No clear commitment to return. Just emotion. Reflection. And a cliffhanger.

The portal’s still open through April 23. So the timing? Brutal. Up until that point, most fans thought she was staying. Johnson had, of course, passed on the WNBA Draft. To list her reasons: 1. 2024-25 season wasn’t the ending she had hoped for. 2. The CBA will be rolling in soon. 3. She wanted to grow and go out with another title. But for the interesting part, she even told listeners on her Best of Both Worlds podcast days earlier that she wanted to graduate at LSU.

“I want to graduate at LSU,” she said. As for the portal? “I’ve never really thought about the portal,” she added. Johnson even seemed excited for what’s next. She hyped LSU’s No. 1-ranked freshman class. And their new transfer, former Notre Dame forward Kate Koval. “I learned so much that I’m gonna carry into the new team, especially with the freshmen that’s coming in… So, I’m ecstatic to get back and get to work. I’m excited to get better.”

It all sounded like she was all-in. Until it didn’t. 

LSU Fans sound off after Flau’Jae Johnson’s Instagram tease

As LSU fans digested the cryptic Instagram post, the reactions came fast and furious—each one a mix of confusion, disbelief, and frustration. Here’s how the fanbase processed the uncertainty surrounding Flau’Jae Johnson’s decision to stay or go.

A fan wasn’t in the mood for more suspense: “flaujae april fools been over.. wym ‘out’” We have seen the games April has played, first with Olivia Miles dropping the shocker and then Juju Watkins pranking the Trojan nation with her fake transfer news. Whichever one Johnson is leaning on, fans would rather she doesn’t. 

“Get out my face Flau I’m not in the mood,” added another. Transfer portal news has been flowing in non-stop for LSU ever since the season came to an end. Most recently, it was Jersey Wolfenbarger, the 6’5″ junior forward. The decision made her the 4th Tiger to enter the portal behind Aalyah Del Rosario, Smith, and Last Tear-Poa. Then with Morrow moving on to the pros, the sight of Johnson leaving too is something fans cannot digest. They’d rather dismiss any cryptic sense.

“Dont be silly flau,” read a comment. The Big 4 is LSU’s leading hope right now. As a junior guard, she averaged a career-high 18.6 points per game. For Kim Mulkey, she was already the leader this past season. So now with new faces joining in, they’d need no one more than their player with a champion-ship experience. Any thoughts of her leaving are gonna flip out the fans and they suggest she rather not be playing that game. 

“girl stop trolling these folks😭😭” one called out. After revealing she was returning to LSU, Johnson had also revealed, Kim Mulkey had a role in keeping her here. “I think that conversation really helped us and see what we both see in how I can make this year my best year,” she said on her podcast. So all the signs are pointing towards Johnson continuing at LSU. Fans know that for sure. That is only making them less appreciative of the cliffhanger she has dropped. 

“girl yk being cryptic gonna make everyone crash out wdym lol” another noted. The last fan simply dropped a classic emoji: “😂” So whatever the announcement is, Johnson better get it out fast and get back to business on the court. Cryptic posts clearly are not it for LSU fans.