Power Four football programs continue to tap into the HBCU talent pool during the newly opened NCAA Transfer Portal window. LSU football is the latest to land a proven HBCU transfer as North Carolina Central offensive lineman Ja’Quan Sprinkle commits to the Tigers.
Sprinkle announced his decision via social media after a short stint in the portal. He arrives in Baton Rouge with two seasons of eligibility remaining, adding experience to an LSU roster navigating significant turnover.
Sprinkle’s commitment also reflects how HBCU prospects are increasingly discussed once they enter the transfer portal. In its coverage of the move, Sports Illustrated referred to Sprinkle as a “prized commitment,” reinforcing the elite status of HBCU football’s best players in the portal.
HBCU Development Pays Off in the Trenches
At 6-foot-3, 295 pounds, Sprinkle brings versatility and physicality developed through HBCU football. He can play both guard and tackle, a valuable trait for an LSU offensive line searching for stability.
During the 2025 season at North Carolina Central, Sprinkle earned Second-Team All-MEAC honors. He anchored an Eagles offensive line that quietly delivered one of the most efficient rushing attacks in the FCS.
North Carolina Central averaged 149 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry. The unit also allowed just three sacks all season, a testament to consistent protection up front.
Experience That Translates to the Power Four
Ja’Quan Sprinkle appeared in 27 games across two seasons with the Eagles. Those live reps against elite HBCU competition helped accelerate his development.
His commitment came just days after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. That quick turnaround reflects how aggressively Power Four programs are now pursuing proven HBCU talent.
For LSU football, Sprinkle becomes an immediate solution rather than a long-term project.
LSU Rebuild Meets the HBCU to Power Four Pipeline
The Tigers are rebuilding their offensive line after losing seven linemen from the 2025 roster to the transfer portal. Sprinkle becomes LSU’s first offensive line commitment of this transfer cycle, filling a pressing need with a battle-tested player.
LSU remains active in the portal and is expected to add multiple linemen. Still, Sprinkle’s commitment sets the tone for the class.
His move aligns with a trend HBCU Gameday continues to track closely. HBCU football is producing players ready to contribute immediately at the next level, whether in the Power Four or the NFL.
Another Statement for HBCU Football
As roster construction evolves in the transfer portal era, HBCU programs are, for better or worse, becoming a reliable source of talent for teams at the next level. Sprinkle’s jump from North Carolina Central to LSU reinforces that reality.
This transfer is not an outlier. It is another clear data point in the expanding HBCU to Power Four pipeline, where production, experience, and readiness now speak louder than prospect stars and recruit rankings.