When it was announced in late November that Florida fired secondary coach Corey Raymond, speculation began immediately that a reunion between Raymond and LSU could be in the works.
It looks like that reunion will happen, as Shea Dixon from On3.com was the first to report that Raymond will return as LSU’s secondary coach.
LSU earned the title as “DBU” Defensive Back University, with Raymond as an assistant coach for the Tigers.
The New Iberia native was LSU’s defensive backs coach from 2012 to 2017, and was the Tigers cornerbacks coach from 2018 to 2021. During that time, Raymond coached seven players who earned All-American honors and four of his students were first round picks; Derek Stingley Jr (2022) Jamal Adams (2017) Tre’Davious White (2017) and Eric Reid (2013).
Reid also helped develop Greedy Williams, Grant Delpit, Kristen Fulton, Donte Jackson, Jalen Collins, Jacoby Stevens and Tyrann Mathieu.
Just a who’s-who of great LSU defensive backs.
For whatever reason, LSU head coach Brian Kelly decided not retain Raymond when he arrived in Baton Rouge in December of 2022. It’s understandable, you want to bring in your own guys.
Raymond went to Florida to work for Gators head coach Billy Napier. It didn’t work out for Raymond as Florida’s defense was also bad this season, allowing 39 points or more in four consecutive games. Remember, LSU put up 701 yards of offense against Florida.
Raymond is also known as a great recruiter, but Florida’s very promising 2024 recruiting class, fell apart on them in December during the early signing period.
While it didn’t work out for Raymond in Florida, the hope is that he can bring the DBU moniker back to LSU.
It looks like he’ll be part of an outstanding coaching staff with Blake Baker as defensive coordinator, Bo Davis as defensive tackles coach, Kevin Peoples as defensive ends coach and now Raymond. That’s four huge additions to a defense that was historically bad in 2023.
One of Raymond’s first tasks on the recruiting trail will be to convince 2025 recruit Jaboree Antoine to come to LSU. The Westgate star is ranked as the second-best high school prospect in the state according to on3.com.
Raymond will also have a sizable number of players to work with for the 2024 season. Major Burns, Zy Alexander, Sage Ryan, Javien Toviano, Ashton Stamps, Ryan Yaites are returning players from the 2023 team.
LSU has added more pieces from the transfer portal in Jardin Gilbert, Austin Ausberry, and Jyaire Brown.
The incoming freshmen class is loaded with DBs, Dashawn McBryde, Joel Rogers, JuJuan Johnson, Bernard Causey from John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans to name a few.
Don’t forget Ohio State transfer JK Johnson should be healthy after missing the 2023 season with a leg injury.
It looks like Kelly is putting together an all-star coaching staff on the defensive side of the football. It’s up to these well-paid coaches to develop the talent that’s there. If they can LSU will be playing for championships.
