LSU football hit the transfer portal hard in the offseason, signing a handful of top-ranked players. Among that group was safety Ty Benefield, who came to LSU after a productive few years at Boise State.
LSU’s defense returns a lot from Blake Baker’s 2025 unit, but the Tigers did lose safety AJ Haucly, leaving a big gap on the backend. LSU targeted Benefield with the idea of replacing Haulcy. Benefield drew rave reviews throughout spring practice. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said Benefield had “ultra elite” skills.
Benefield has the tools to be an All-SEC player for LSU this fall. Phil Steele dropped his 2026 College Football Preview this week, slotting Benefield on his preseason All-SEC third team. It figures to be a strong year for safety play in the SEC, so earning third-team honors among this group remains impressive. But Benefield has the talent to be on the first team.
What made Haulcy so valuable for LSU was his ability to do a little bit of everything. He was physical enough to play in the box, athletic enough to play man coverage, and understood how to relate to receivers in zone. Benefield brings a similar skillset, though he’s arguably even better of a box player.
LSU safety Ty Benefield can hit. Lowers his shoulder and knocks the ball free from the best running back in the country here. pic.twitter.com/5d7AFjcFbA
— Will Rosenblatt (@rozenwill) February 9, 2026
On3 ranked Benefield as the No. 26 overall player in the transfer portal. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler labeled Benefied a potential first-round pick in 2027.
Again, it’s a good year for safeties in the SEC. KJ Bolden returns for his sophomore campaign at UGA. Alabama has two good ones in Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb. Earning first-team All-SEC honors will be tough this year, though Benefield belongs in that conversation.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football transfer Ty Benefield will be star for Tigers defense
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