Lane Kiffin isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on LSU. As he gears up for his first season in Baton Rouge, the Tigers’ new head coach is building both his staff and his future roster with clear intent-and some big-time moves.
One of the most intriguing developments so far? The addition of Sterling Lucas as LSU’s new defensive line coach.
And while the move didn’t bring an immediate splash in the transfer portal, it might just pay off in a much bigger way down the line.
Lucas, who spent the last four seasons with South Carolina, was a key figure in the Gamecocks’ defensive resurgence. Most recently, he coached the team’s defensive ends and outside linebackers while also coordinating the run defense.
Under his watch, South Carolina racked up 41 sacks last season-good enough to tie for 10th in the nation. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed, and neither does Lucas’ ability to develop talent.
He’s coached a pair of All-SEC EDGE rushers in back-to-back seasons, which is exactly the kind of track record that turns heads on the recruiting trail.
And right now, all eyes are on Jaiden Bryant.
Bryant, the No. 1 EDGE prospect in the 2027 class according to Rivals, is one of the most coveted recruits in the country-and LSU is sitting in a strong position to land him.
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Bryant was named the 5A Defensive Player of the Year and has been on South Carolina’s radar for a while. But with Lucas now in Baton Rouge, the Tigers have surged to the top of his list.
That’s not just coincidence. Lucas was Bryant’s lead recruiter at South Carolina and already has a strong relationship with the elite pass rusher. Now, with LSU in hot pursuit, that connection could be the difference-maker.
Tiger fans were initially buzzing with the idea that Lucas might bring along current Gamecock star Dylan Stewart, but Stewart made it clear he’s staying put in Columbia for another season. Still, the bigger long-term win could be landing Bryant, a player with the potential to anchor LSU’s pass rush for years to come.
For Kiffin, this is exactly the kind of move that signals where he’s taking the program. He’s not just building for 2026-he’s laying the groundwork for sustained success. Bringing in a rising star like Lucas isn’t just about X’s and O’s on Saturdays; it’s about building relationships that can shape recruiting classes and redefine LSU’s defensive identity.
So while Stewart staying at South Carolina may have closed one door, the Tigers might be opening another-one that could lead to a future built around the nation’s top EDGE prospect. If Lucas can seal the deal with Bryant, it could mark the first major recruiting victory of the Kiffin era in Baton Rouge.
And if history is any indication, it might not be the last.