The LSU Tigers just took a major hit to their 2026 recruiting class - and it came from within their own backyard.
On Tuesday, Tiago High (Tullos, La.) wide receiver Kervin Johnson Jr. announced he’s flipping his commitment from LSU to Ole Miss, marking the second time the three-star prospect has changed his pledge during this cycle. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Johnson has quickly established himself as one of the top pass-catchers in Louisiana, and his recruitment has been nothing short of a rollercoaster.
Johnson initially committed to Louisiana Tech, but when LSU extended an offer in October - just one day after the firing of head coach Brian Kelly - the hometown Tigers became too tempting to pass up. Johnson wasted no time jumping on the opportunity to play for the flagship program in his home state. But now, with Lane Kiffin taking over in Baton Rouge, things are shifting fast, and Johnson is the latest domino to fall in what’s shaping up to be a wild 24 hours on the recruiting trail.
🚨BREAKING🚨 WR Kervin Johnson Jr. has flipped his commitment from LSU to Ole Miss🦈
— Rivals (@Rivals) December 2, 2025
Read: https://t.co/7A3hmj6GMq pic.twitter.com/E7zec8hj9z
Now committed to Ole Miss, Johnson is expected to make it official during the Early Signing Period. For the Rebels, it’s a significant win - not just because of Johnson’s talent, but because of what it signals: Lane Kiffin and his staff are making moves, and they’re doing it in LSU’s backyard.
And Johnson isn’t the only big-name decommitment LSU is dealing with.
Kenny Darby, a four-star wideout out of Airline High School in Bossier City, also backed off his pledge to the Tigers on Tuesday. Darby, ranked as the No. 2 wide receiver in Louisiana, had been one of the crown jewels of LSU’s 2026 class.
He committed last November after a visit to Baton Rouge and an offer from what he called his “dream school.” At the time, he spoke glowingly about LSU’s reputation for developing receivers and sending them to the NFL - calling the Tigers “WRU.”
But even with that strong connection, Darby’s recruitment never truly went quiet. Programs continued to push, and he took a visit to Alabama earlier this year. While he had initially signaled on social media that he still planned to sign with LSU during the Early Signing Period, the coaching change has clearly thrown a wrench into those plans.
As the clock ticks down to the start of the Early Signing Period, LSU is suddenly facing a new reality. Two of the top 10 wide receivers in the state - both previously committed - are now looking elsewhere. And with Lane Kiffin’s staff already making waves, this could be just the beginning.
The message is clear: the recruiting landscape in Louisiana is shifting fast, and Ole Miss is wasting no time trying to capitalize.