BREAKING: LSU football landed its first commitment from a transfer defensive lineman
LSU football has been actively seeking transfer defensive linemen to bolster their roster, and they secured their first addition of the offseason with the signing of former Wisconsin defensive end Gio Paez.
Paez announced his commitment via social media on Tuesday. With one more season of eligibility remaining after spending five years at Wisconsin, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound lineman brings considerable experience to LSU’s defensive line. While Paez primarily played as a defensive end at Wisconsin, LSU intends to utilize him as a defensive tackle.
Let’s Geaux ✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/IruoKs84UC
— Gio Paez (@Gio_paez7117) March 26, 2024
During the previous season, Paez featured in 13 games, including the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU, where he made six starts. His performance tallied 23 tackles and two quarterback hurries for the season, contributing to his career total of 36 tackles and one tackle for loss.
The addition of Paez addresses LSU’s need for defensive tackles following the departures of key players like Jordan Jefferson, Mekhi Wingo, and Maason Smith, along with several backup transfers. Additionally, offensive lineman Kimo Makane’ole transitioned to the defensive line before spring practice to aid in the team’s depth.
With Paez joining the squad, LSU’s defensive tackle group now comprises seven scholarship players. He will join a room that includes seasoned players like redshirt seniors Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee, junior college transfer Shone Washington, early enrollee De’Myrion Johnson, freshman Dominick McKinley, and Makane’ole. McKinley, a highly touted five-star recruit, is set to enroll this summer.
Throughout spring practice, Guillory and Lee have consistently featured on the first-team defense, with Washington and walk-on Preston Hickey rotating in on the second-team defense. Makane’ole and Johnson have seen action on the third team.
Looking ahead, LSU plans to pursue additional transfer defensive linemen this spring, as evidenced by their recent scholarship offer to Indiana transfer Philip Blidi. Blidi, who previously played at Texas Tech, started 11 games last season for Indiana, registering 30 tackles and four tackles for loss.c