LSU football added a late piece to its 2026 roster Friday, landing a commitment from former Notre Dame edge rusher Junior Tuihalamaka.

Tuihalamaka entered the transfer portal just one day before committing to the Tigers after becoming eligible for a fifth season of college football. 

The opportunity stems from recent court rulings that granted additional eligibility to certain players from the 2022 recruiting class. 

The move gives Lane Kiffin and LSU another experienced option along the defensive front with the 2026 season less than two weeks away. Lane Kiffin and his staff have said that the scouting had been done and the path was laid for him all that was left was final approval.

Tuihalamaka spent four seasons at Notre Dame and will now make the move to Baton Rouge for what could be his final season of college football. 

The addition also highlights just how quickly the college football roster landscape can change. 

LSU was able to take advantage of a legal ruling that opened the door for players who 

had exhausted their traditional eligibility to return for another season.

However, the situation remains fluid. A separate court ruling Friday reportedly challenged the status of these additional eligibility years, meaning the Tigers’ newest addition could face continued uncertainty surrounding his ability to play in 2026.