Jan. 28, 2026, 9:46 a.m. CT

When Seth Dardar committed to LSU baseball, it marked a homecoming for the fifth-year senior. Hailing from Mandeville, LA, Dardar decided to play his final season of college baseball close to home for the reigning national champions.

Head coach Jay Johnson spoke highly of the former Kansas State infielder’s abilities on both sides of the ball. Dardar started 50 games for the Wildcats last year and led the team with a .326 batting average.

“I think when you recruit a player that you’re only going to have for one year as a senior, that’s the expectation,” Johnson said, “It’s like they’re great at what they’re good at and I think he’s used his experience well. I think he has a good fundamental swing that can show up in the game. I think he’s a much better defensive player than we talked about.”

Johnson watched Dardar play against the Tigers last season. He stroked two hits, a double and a home run, off two of LSU’s best pitchers. Counting his two seasons from Columbia, Dardar brings 95 games of collegiate experience to Baton Rouge.

“It’s like, ‘Hey, we’re bringing you here for your offensive capabilities and production. I saw you had a homer off Kade Anderson. I saw you had a double off Casan Evans,'” Johnson said. “‘You obviously followed that up with a really good season in the Big 12, but to catapult yourself, we need to really make sure that the defensive side of the ball is good, which I didn’t really know as much about.'”

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

Nearly all of Dardar’s appearances came at second base. He’s one of several experienced transfer infielders who joined LSU in the offseason. In order to separate himself, Dardar needed to hone his defensive skills at every infield spot.

“He went to work prior to coming here and made himself into a better player and has continued that,” Johnson said. “As far as his contribution, he can make a contribution at first base, second base, or third base. I think by the time we finish today, he will have played all three of them in the scrimmage games.”