Transfer Portal: TJ Dottery’s New Home All but Confirmed Amid Two SEC Giants’ Intense Battle
By Sports Correspondent — January 16, 2026
BREAKING: On3’s @Sheadixon has logged an expert prediction for 𝐋𝐒𝐔 to land elite LB T.J. Dottery from Ole Miss.
The 6’1 junior logged 174 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, & 3 fumbles forced over the last two seasons, incl. 11 tackles & a sack in the semi-final.
— NCAA Transfer Portal 🌐 (@PortalPredict) January 16, 2026
One of the most intriguing sagas of this year’s NCAA transfer portal cycle appears to be coming to a close.
After confirming that Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this week, sources say his new school is “all but confirmed” as the result of a heated competition between two Southeastern Conference (SEC) powerhouses — including his current team.
A Defensive Anchor in Demand
Dottery, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker who emerged as one of the top defensive players in the SEC, made his transfer portal move official late Wednesday into early Thursday, according to multiple outlets.
During the 2025 season:
He was a leader of Ole Miss’s defense, often acting as the on-field communication hub for the Rebels.
He led Ole Miss in tackles with 98, added 1.5 sacks, two forced turnovers and multiple pass breakups.
Dottery finished with 174 total tackles over the past two seasons and served as a respected voice on the field.
Because of this production, analysts have pegged Dottery as possibly the No. 1 remaining linebacker available in the portal.
The SEC Battle: Ole Miss vs. LSU
Though Dottery tested the transfer market, there hasn’t been a surprise departure from the SEC — it’s actually staying within the conference.
1. Ole Miss Wants Him Back
Not surprisingly, Ole Miss has continued its efforts to keep Dottery in Oxford. Sources report the Rebels are still in contact and pushing to retain him, even after his official portal entry.
Ole Miss coach Pete Golding’s defense relied heavily on Dottery’s presence, and losing him would be a significant loss to a unit that ranked among the SEC’s best in the 2025 campaign.
2. LSU Emerging as a Favorite
However, LSU tailing Ole Miss in the race has shifted momentum. Multiple outlets and insiders now project that Dottery’s visit to Baton Rouge this week has put the Tigers in the lead to sign him.
During his visit:
Dottery was hosted by Lane Kiffin and the LSU staff as part of LSU’s massive portal recruiting push — the Tigers have hosted several high-profile transfer portal targets.
The Tigers, aiming to rebuild a championship-level defense, have seen Dottery gain traction as a top priority target.
Reports even highlight potential personal connections — including family ties on campus — that could boost Dottery’s fit in Baton Rouge.
Several insiders now believe that LSU is the likely landing spot, with Ole Miss making a late push but trailing in momentum.
Why This Matters
The Dottery decision holds bigger implications than just one roster spot:
At Ole Miss, losing Dottery coincides with other defensive departures this week and forces the Rebels to retool their defense quickly.
LSU’s pursuit of Dottery — if it ends in a commitment — would be a major portal victory and a statement of intent from a program looking to re-establish itself at the top of the SEC.
For Dottery himself, it represents a chance to remain in a top-tier conference, potentially in a more competitive environment with championship aspirations.
- With the transfer portal window closing imminently, the decision could come at any moment. For now, sources describe Dottery’s move as “all but confirmed” — leaning strongly toward LSU — but official word from him or his coaches hasn’t yet been made public.