LSU made a splash last week with the hiring of defensive line coach Bo Davis. Davis had great success at Texas and Alabama developing defensive linemen.
But Coach Brian Kelly didn’t stop there. He’s also reportedly hired Kevin Peoples from Missouri. Peoples was the defensive line and edge rushers coach at Missouri.
It’s expected Peoples will coach the defensive ends and Davis the defensive tackles.
Peoples has coached for 30 years, and he’s had success developing pass rushers.
Mizzou defensive lineman Darius Robinson is an example. Robinson had just 3.5 sacks in 2022, but in 2023 he was named a First-Team All-SEC selection after recording 8.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.
Johnny Walker Jr was another Missouri defensive lineman that had a breakout season in 2023. Walker had 5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for a loss and three forced fumbles.
Peoples good work led to him being named a Broyles Award semifinalist in 2023. The Broyles Award goes to the top assistant coach in the nation.
When Peoples was at Indiana, the Hoosiers led the Big 10 in sacks in 2020.
New LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker likely pushed Kelly to bring Peoples with him to Baton Rouge. It’s expected Baker will coach linebackers and the Tigers still need a defensive backs coach.
There’s speculation there could be a reunion with former DB and cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond.
LSU also has two defensive coaches left over from last season, John Jancek and Bob Diaco. Jancek was the fill-in defensive line coach last season, but he’s primarily been a defensive coordinator at his various coaching stops. He did coach safeties at South Florida in 2016. And Diaco was the special teams and outside linebackers coach last season.
WR CJ Daniels commits to LSU
One of the top wide receivers in the transfer portal, CJ Daniels, committed to LSU on Friday after also receiving interest from Texas and Oregon.
Daniels only played in four games in 2022 due to injuries but had a huge season last year for the Liberty Flames who played in the Fiesta Bowl.
He caught 55 passes for 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniels averaged nearly 20 yards a catch in 2023.
He gives LSU another big body receiver to go along with Kyren Lacy and Shelton Sampson. Daniels stands at 6-2, 200 pounds as he’s gotten bigger during his time at Liberty.
LSU is losing Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to the NFL draft, but quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will have plenty of options in the passing game.
Lacy is back, along with Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton and LSU also added Zavion Thomas out of the transfer portal from Mississippi State. The Tigers also have a young group of receivers waiting for their opportunity led by former Catholic High star Shelton Sampson. There’s also Kyle Parker and Khai Prean from St. James High School.
2024 class also features three four-star wide receivers, Jelani Watkins from Texas, Kylan Billiot from Terrebonne High School and Michael Turner from John Curtis.