Former standout safety at Boise State joins controversial coach in SEC
Former Boise State standout safety Ty Benefield is switching orange and blue for purple and gold.
College athletics outlet On3 reported Tuesday morning that Benefield committed to play for LSU in his final year of eligibility. Benefield posted a picture on social media with new LSU coach Lane Kiffin on Tuesday with the caption âGeaux!â and a tiger emoji.
Benefield announced on Dec. 27 that he would enter the transfer portal after spending three years of eligibility with Boise State. Now heâll go from the Mountain West to the SEC.
âWhile Boise has been my home for three years, sometimes you have to leave home in order to grow,â Benefield, a native of Altadena, California, posted on Instagram in his announcement.
Benefield could be a starter on day one in Baton Rouge. LSU is losing all-SEC safety A.J. Haulcy to the NFL Draft and also lost several other secondary players to the transfer portal. Additionally, Benefield is the first defensive player the Tigers and Kiffin â who jilted Ole Miss for a rival to take his sixth coaching job in 15 years â have signed out of the portal.
Benefield grew into one of the top safeties in the Mountain West during his time at Boise State, earning honorable mention All-Mountain West in 2024 and All-Mountain West first-team honors in 2025. He ended his junior year at Boise State with a team-high 107 total tackles, 70 of which were solo. He also had two interceptions, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
On3 ranked Benefield among the top safety prospects in the transfer portal, and after the season, Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said there was a chance that Benefield would declare for the NFL Draft.
Benefieldâs position coach at Boise State, Tyler Stockton, also left the program. Stockton was confirmed as the Michigan Wolverinesâ new safeties coach on Monday afternoon.
Benefield ends his Boise State career with five interceptions, 235 total tackles and 18 tackles for loss.
