LSU’s defense has been a revolving door in 2024, and the hits just keep coming. The Tigers have now seen 16 players pack their bags for the transfer portal, including starting safety Sage Ryan. After logging over 500 snaps, Ryan’s departure leaves a glaring hole in an already struggling secondary. LSU gave up big plays all season, often looking lost in coverage—a weakness opponents exploited. With Ryan gone, the Tigers and Brian Kelly are in desperate need of a leader on the back end. But with the portal flooded with talent, could LSU be eyeing a top-tier safety to stabilize their defense? A major name has entered the mix, and fans are hoping he might be the answer to LSU’s woes.

In the latest episode of On3 Recruits, Josh Newberg and Steve Wiltfong discussed LSU’s recruiting situation and Brian Kelly’s top targets. While there is one name on the radar, it seems he has other plans as well.

“Let’s talk a little LSU recruiting. And of course, we’re going straight to the transfer portal, and it’s been busy for the Tigers. In this video, we’re going to focus on DB and wide receiver, two major positions of need for LSU, and one of the names buzzing all around the country is the number one safety in the portal, Dillon Thieneman. We know Oregon’s heavily involved here. Ohio State as well. Is LSU getting in on this one, Steve?” Newberg asked Wiltfong.

Purdue’s freshman sensation has been tearing it up on the field, breaking records and making history in just his first season. He’s just an 18-year-old straight out of Westfield, Indiana, and already making waves. Thieneman played and started all 12 games, leading the boilermakers in tackles (106) and solo tackles (74).

On top of that, he went viral after a career-high 14 tackles in the game against Syracuse. And in the game against Indiana, he had two interceptions. Aren’t his stats just amazing? No wonder everyone is eyeing him. Moving forward, Wiltfong answered Newberg’s question by revealing not-so-good news for Brian Kelly.

Brian Kelly’s happiness might be shortlived

The NCAA transfer portal is in full swing, and one name dominating the chatter is Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman. With 210 tackles, six interceptions, and eight pass breakups over two seasons, he’s the top-ranked safety on the market per 247Sports. Thieneman is set to visit both Oregon and Ohio State soon, two programs aggressively vying for his commitment.

“They’re trying to get national defensive Freshman of the Year two years ago. After six interceptions in his first season at Purdue, had another solid year for Purdue this year under the circumstances of their their tough campaign. But this is a kid that’s a plus athlete that flies to the football and that’s also a 4.0 student in the classroom on the college level. So he has all the tangibles and intangibles desired—Oregon and Ohio State look like the front runners right now. Certainly, Coach Odom and that new staff will do what they can keep doing seeing them on campus. He’s got a lot of Purdue ties and his family and a lot of love for the Boilers; he could have gone from Portal last year but opted to stay at Purdue,” Wiltfong said.

What’s the plan for for Thieneman? Well, if Wiltfong is to be believed, the player is “going to visit Oregon and Ohio State soon having a dialogue with LSU. So, the Tigers are one of the few schools that are in the mix. After the Ducks and Buckeyes.”

For Oregon, Dan Lanning’s Ducks—currently the No. 1 team in the country—are making a strong push to land the Indiana native. Over in Columbus, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes see Thieneman as the perfect fit alongside Caleb Downs in their secondary. The appeal? His playmaking skills and leadership. “He’d be a massive addition for Ohio State’s defense,” On3 reports, with insiders highlighting how stealing him from another Big Ten team adds extra spice.

Other big-name programs like Georgia and Texas are also in the race to steal LSU’s potential safety, but the visits to Oregon and Ohio State seem pivotal. Thieneman’s move comes on the heels of Purdue’s disastrous 1-11 season and the firing of head coach Ryan Walters, leaving the Boilermakers in shambles.