LSU football adding Notre Dame transfer Junior Tuihalamaka after TRO

Baton Rouge - Just 24 hours after a judge granted a temporary restraining order providing former college athletes with a fifth year of eligibility, LSU football and head coach Lane Kiffin have reaped the benefits. It has been announced that LSU has secured a commitment from former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka, who entered the transfer portal on August 21. Tuihalamaka was among the 16 athletes named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed on August 20 in an East Baton Rouge Parish court.

During his junior season at Notre Dame, Tuihalamaka amassed 12 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack in 54 games. Standing at 6-2 and 255 pounds, he had played all four years at Notre Dame, recording 61 career stops and 4.5 sacks. On Thursday, when asked about adding any student-athletes granted the TRO, LSU coach Lane Kiffin did not comment, stating that it was too many directions the question could go.

Thus far, LSU has seen some promising pass rushers, notably Princewill Umanmielen, but inconsistent performance has been observed among the group during fall camp. Tuihalamaka could bring valuable depth to a position group in need of more experience. Cory Diaz, covering the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser, reports on LSU athletics and can be reached at bdiaz@gannett.com.