LSU transfer catcher announces commitment to rival SEC program

One of the top catchers available in the transfer portal has made a decision as to where he will play next season, as LSU Tigers sophomore Brady Neal has officially committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide .

A former top prospect out of high school, Neal originally began his collegiate career in 2023 as LSU’s starting catcher as a true freshman, but saw action in only 26 games before missing the remainder of the year due to an injury. As a freshman, Neal slashed .209/.411/.388 with three HR and nine RBI for a LSU team that eventually went on to win the national championship.

This past season as a sophomore, Neal appeared in 44 games with the Tigers to slash .276/.408/.578 with nine HR and 31 RBI.

With those totals, Neal’s career stats while at LSU sat at a combined slash line of .251/.409/.508 with 12 HR and 40 RBI. Neal also held a combined K-BB ratio of 61-41, amassing at-least 20 walks drawn in each season.

Looking ahead, Neal will now enter 2025 as the favorite to start at catcher for Alabama, who was set to lose multi-year starter Mac Guscette this offseason.