Former Colorado star Jordan Seaton has joined LSU for the 2026 season under new head coach Lane Kiffin. His arrival marks a huge boost for the team, as he previously played under Deion Sanders in 2024 and 2025 and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors last year.
Tyrann Mathieu Questions LSU’s Protection Plan for Sam Leavitt With Jordan Seaton
Seaton arrives with the critical responsibility of protecting quarterback Sam Leavitt in 2026. Former Tigers star Tyrann Mathieu weighed in on the blockbuster addition on the “In The Bayou” podcast on Friday.
Mathieu provided a detailed preview of LSU’s spring season, noting the high turnover and the challenges of building chemistry with new coaches and players, including Seaton.
“It’s a lot of turnover,” Mathieu said (4:20). “You go get the kid from Colorado, pay him a lot of money for a six to seven-month rental, you know cuz he’s going to the big league… LSU probably had one of the worst offensive lines last year. So I think being able to protect the quarterback, right, especially Sam, who’s had some injuries. So, how can they protect him? I think it’s the next.”
LSU isn’t just counting on Seaton to be good; it’s counting on him to fix a major weakness immediately. That question becomes even more pressing when considering the financial commitment tied to his arrival.
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Reports surrounding his NIL deal vary widely, with figures ranging from roughly $2 million to $6 million. Such numbers have turned Seaton into one of the most talked-about transfers in college football.
“Jordan Seaton’s numbers give me heartburn for what’s coming next year,” an SEC NIL operator told On3’s Pete Nakos. “I’ve heard anywhere from $3 million to $6 million on him alone. I think $3 million, I can wrap my head around. Anything more, no way.”
For LSU, the investment is due to the urgency of protecting Leavitt and stabilizing the offense. The Tigers failed to meet championship expectations under Brian Kelly, and the pressure to return to national prominence remains intense.
However, Mathieu urged caution when it comes to immediate title aspirations. He expects LSU to be productive, but he questioned whether a roster with so many new pieces can realistically contend right away.
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Meanwhile, industry insiders have expressed skepticism about such massive payouts for what could be a one-year stint, as Seaton is projected as a potential top-15 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. That timeline makes LSU’s investment feel more like a short-term push rather than a long-term build.
However, Seaton’s athletic background suggests he could be worth the gamble. He was rated as a five-star transfer by 247Sports, ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle and the No. 4 overall player in the 2026 portal.
He was also considered the top offensive tackle in the 2024 class. Last season, he recorded a 76.9 score in PFSN’s College Football Player OL Impact Metric.
