LSU football coach Brian Kelly has been a head coach for 22 seasons, but he said he’s never had a recruiting period like this one as money has become a major factor on where a player goes.
Instead of national signing day, he said it felt more like Tax Day.
Kelly said getting a player to come your school used be about academic fit or where a young man can develop holistically, now it’s about the most money you can get.
“It’s unfortunate, but it’s the world we live in,” Kelly said.
Kelly used his National Signing Day press conference to tell fans, if you want the best players to play at LSU, it’s going to take a financial commitment.
“Recruiting is no longer just about recruiting, it’s no longer just about relationships, you need a collective, you need the NIL to supplement your recruiting efforts and that’s just the reality of the world we live in,” Kelly said.
On the first day of the early signing period, LSU signed 23 players and it’s a class ranked in the Top 10.
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But it could have been a top five class, if two five-star recruits didn’t decommit in the final two weeks leading up to National Signing Day.
In both cases, quarterback Bryce Underwood and Kade Phillips received a financial offer they could not refuse.
“These two guys loved LSU,” Kelly said. “They didn’t have much of a choice.”
Despite the late decommitments, Kelly feels good about his class.
It features two of the top linebackers in the country in Charles Ross II and Jaiden Baker. One of the top cornerbacks in the country, DJ Pickett from Florida and five-star offensive lineman Soloman Thomas, who decommitted from Florida State to sign with LSU on Wednesday.
The class is also loaded with great players from the Boot. The state’s top two running backs, Harlem Berry and JT Lindsey and cornerback Aidan Anding from Ruston.
LSU also signed linebacker Keylan Moses from University High in Baton Rouge. Moses said he chose the Tigers because he bleeds purple and gold.
But Kelly said the dynamic linebacker also knows he can benefit financially by staying home.
“The ability for a kid from this state to capitalize on his brand is so much greater than if he goes somewhere else and Kelylan recognized that and being from Baton Rouge how he can use his brand here,” Kelly said.
LSU also signed two wide receivers from Louisiana. Phillip Wright the Third from Destrehan High School. Wright is super-fast and is a four star prospect.
The number one wide receiver in the TaRon Francis is also a Tiger. Another standout on the track team. Kelly believes Francis has a bright future in Baton Rouge.
“TaRon Francis is just ascending each and every game he plays, love his film over the last couple of weeks, making plays and playing fast and free,” Francis said.
Kelly knows he always has the talent in Louisiana to fall back on. And you can win a lot of games with Louisiana players.
But can he count on the financial backing from Louisiana residents who want a championship football team?