As evidenced by the coaching change, the Tigers didn’t get enough wins on the field this season. However, the wins off the field have been significant and plentiful lately. Proving his worth in acquiring talent, Lane Kiffin has successfully added talent with both players and coaches in his first week at LSU.
Now that Early Signing Day has come and gone, the Tigers hold the 247Sports Composite’s 13th-ranked recruiting class. Kiffin’s quickly assembled staff was a key factor in securing such a highly rated class in a year of transition. Although Kiffin hasn’t won a game at LSU, he’s given the fanbase reasons for optimism in less than a week on the job.
Kiffin Adds Talent in Big First Week at LSU
It Starts Up Front
Admittedly, the majority of LSU’s recruiting class was assembled before Kiffin got the job. His biggest challenge was retaining players who committed to a different coaching staff. Only two players decommitted from LSU after Brian Kelly was fired, which speaks to the allure of the program. Two more left the class after Kiffin got the job: wide receiver Kenny Darby and offensive lineman Jalan Chapman. Interestingly, both ended up signing with Ole Miss.
The star of the class on signing day was five-star defensive lineman Richard Anderson of Karr High School in New Orleans. Anderson is the top-ranked defensive lineman in the country and was rumored to delay his signing as he learned more about the new staff. The coveted prospect ended the suspense and signed with LSU on Wednesday.
After Anderson signed, all eyes were on the nation’s top overall prospect, Lamar Brown of University High School in Baton Rouge. Brown is an elite trench player who thrived on both sides of the line in high school. He’ll play on the defensive line at LSU, and he reaffirmed his commitment by signing on Friday. His arrival comes at a perfect time, as LSU will lose its most disruptive defensive tackle in Bernard Gooden. Brown, Anderson, four-star Deuce Geralds, and elite edge Trenton Henderson make up the most impressive defensive line class in the country.
Quality Over Quality
LSU’s class is impressive by any measure. But to garner its ranking with only 14 players makes it even more remarkable. For reference, USC is ranked first with 35 signees and an average rating of 91.80. Washington is ranked 12th, with 25 commitments and an average rating of 89.46. The average ranking in LSU’s class is 93.81, which is the highest average in the country.
Not only did LSU sign the nation’s best defensive line class, but it also added more weapons to its passing game. Louisiana’s highest-ranked wide receiver, Jabari Mack, never wavered from his commitment and signed on Wednesday. Four-star receiver Corey Barber decommitted from Ole Miss after the Kiffin news and predictably signed with LSU. The Tigers flipped three-star wide receiver Braiden Allen from Oklahoma and four-star tight end JC Anderson from Ole Miss.
The cornerback class could be vastly underrated at this point. Four-star cornerback Havon Finney was once ranked as the best at his position for the 2027 class. The Los Angeles native reclassified to the 2026 class but still finished in the top 20. Three-star prospect and Wisner, LA native Dezyrian Ellis has limited snaps at cornerback but elite size and athleticism. Both cornerback signees are over 6’2” with speed and ball skills.
Wrapping Up the Staff
Talent on the field comes first, but Kiffin also added talent to the coaching staff. The bulk of his offensive staff was decided quickly after his decision to take the LSU job. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr., tight ends coach Joe Cox, wide receivers coach George McDonald, inside wide receiver coach Sawyer Jordan, and quarterback coach Dane Stevens all came immediately. Kiffin also brought strength and conditioning coach Nick Savage and general manager Billy Glasscock.
Glasscock’s arrival was predictably followed by the departure of LSU’s former GM, Austin Thomas. Kiffin’s running back coach at Ole Miss, Kevin Smith, is notably absent from the staff at this point. Smith’s absence, combined with Anderson’s commitment, points to the likelihood of interim coach Frank Wilson remaining on the LSU staff. Wilson was a critical factor in many of these recruitments.
The biggest news regarding the coaching staff came with Blake Baker’s surprising decision to decline the Tulane job and stay at LSU. Baker played at Tulane and was rumored to have agreed to take the team’s head coaching job. Shortly after Kiffin confirmed Baker would stay, it was reported that cornerback coach Corey Raymond and safeties coach Jake Olsen would return. Edge coach Kevin Peoples will also remain on the staff. Changes will come up front with Elijah Robinson expected to step in as defensive line coach and Kentucky’s Eric Wolford taking the reins for the offensive line. Kiffin has assembled and retained a proven staff. But bringing back Frank Wilson as running backs coach could put a bow on one of the most impactful offseasons in LSU history.
Main Photo: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
