Built for Growth: How Jalia Lassiter Found Her Edge at LSU

When Jalia Lassiter entered the transfer portal, it wasn’t about starting over — it was about going deeper. A player who built her career on determination rather than recruiting attention, Lassiter believed there was more in her game than she had yet unlocked. Finding the right environment to force that growth became the priority.

A year later, entering her second season at LSU, that belief has been validated.

“I definitely say my mentality has grown,” Lassiter said. “I feel like I’ve learned so much more about softball, defensively and offensively. I was blessed with my athleticism, but really growing and making that athleticism fundamentally sound — and understanding the game on a deeper level — that’s been the biggest thing for me.”

That growth didn’t come all at once. Lassiter describes her development as a process — one that required patience, discomfort, and self-reflection. “There were some things that came faster and some things that came slower,” she said. “I feel like everything we do is a process. You’re not going to get everything perfect right when you try something new.”

The Right Environment

When Lassiter first spoke about transferring to LSU, she pointed to head coach Beth Torina and assistant coach Bryce Neal as the “perfect duo” to elevate her game. A year into the program, that assessment has only sharpened.

“Bryce was someone I could talk to about really anything,” Lassiter said. “He’s been like a father figure — not just with hitting, but with life. Softball doesn’t last forever, and he does a great job preparing you for the real world.”

That preparation extended to the offensive side of the game in ways Lassiter hadn’t experienced before.

“I don’t know if I would ever think about hitting the way I do now if I hadn’t come here,” she said. “I didn’t really watch film or plan pitches before LSU. Learning how to scout, how to prepare — that was new for me.”

Torina’s influence, Lassiter says, has been equally impactful, pushing her daily while understanding the balance required to get the best out of her players.

“She understands girls,” Lassiter said. “She understands when things are hard. But she also pushes me every day to be the best version of myself. I’m grateful she took a chance on me.”

“You’re Not Going to Get Success Being Timid” -Jalia Lassiter

That daily challenge has shaped Lassiter’s identity within the lineup. Torina recently described her as a player who makes the offense “brave,” unafraid to gather information, attack pitchers, and provide feedback — traits that make her well suited for a leadoff role.

For Lassiter, that description aligns closely with how she sees herself.

“I’m competitive. I’m an attacker,” she said. “You’re not going to get success being timid. That’s always been my mindset — whether it’s defense or hitting, big plays or small plays.”

That aggressiveness, she says, isn’t dependent on mechanics alone.

“Even if I don’t have everything dialed in mechanically, competitiveness is always something I can control,” Lassiter said. “That’s who I am every day as a person.”

Leadership Earned, Not Assigned

This offseason, Lassiter’s growth took another step forward when she was voted a team captain by her teammates — a meaningful distinction in a program that hasn’t always designated captains.

“For a coach to even decide to do that is awesome,” she said. “But for my teammates to trust me like that — especially transferring in last year — that means everything.”

Despite the title, Lassiter insists little changed.

“I’m still the same person,” she said. “I’m still trying to help my teammates the best way I can and put them first. Leadership has always been part of who I am.”

Comfort Inside the System

That steadiness has been reinforced by comfort. After a season spent adjusting to LSU’s offensive system, Lassiter enters Year Two with clarity.

“Being uncomfortable takes time,” she said. “Last year was challenging — new people, new expectations. But uncomfortable is good. This year feels easier because I understand the system.”

Film study, pitch planning, and preparation — all new elements early on — are now part of her routine.

“It’s fun to see where I was last year and where I’m at now,” Lassiter said. “I’ve always trusted the process. Nothing’s ever come easy for me.”

“It’s Just Different”

Lassiter’s perspective carries weight because she’s seen the SEC from multiple angles. After transferring from Ole Miss, her assessment of LSU is grounded in experience, not novelty.

When Lassiter spoke, she reminded me of a comment Lane Kiffin keeps making and I got her thoughts on it and she confirmed “It’s just different here,”. She detailed what makes it different here stating “The resources, the people, the opportunities — everything pushes you to be better.” For her, that difference isn’t about comfort or convenience. It’s about being challenged daily in ways that accelerate growth.

Process Over Outcomes

As she enters her final season, Lassiter is clear-eyed about what success means.

“There are personal goals — All-American, Golden Glove — of course,” she said. “But I can’t control outcomes. I can control my work.”

Her focus remains where it’s always been effort, presence, and trust in the process.

“It’s my last year, and I just want to have fun,” Lassiter said. “Be where my feet are. I love this team. I love being around these people.”

At LSU, where expectations are higher and margins thinner, Lassiter found exactly what she was looking for — not a shortcut to results, but an environment built to demand growth. And for a player who has always believed there was more in the tank, that difference has made all the difference.