Michigan Misses Out On Top DB Target With Connections To A New Coach

The No. 2 safety in the transfer portal, Ty Benefield, annonnced his commitment to LSU and new coach Lane Kiffin on Tuesday:

BREAKING: #LSU has landed a commitment from the No. 2 safety in the Transfer Portal: Ty Benefield.

Lane Kiffin and Co. sign the Top-35 transfer coming off of 105 tackles, 3 PBU’s + 2 INT across the 2025 season.#LSU rolled out the red carpet and officially inks the star DB. pic.twitter.com/nN3ymnisYj

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) January 6, 2026

While there were some rumblings that Michigan might be able to get involved having hired his former coach in Ty Stockton (Boise State’s former co-DB), the Tigers likely went all in to make sure Benefield was captaining their defense.