LSU is wrapping up its transfer portal work for 2026, but the recruiting grind never really stops in Baton Rouge. With Lane Kiffin now firmly in place, the Tigers are already shifting gears toward the 2027 high school class - and once again, Louisiana is loaded with elite talent.
The Tigers’ defensive staff has long been one of the program’s strongest assets when it comes to in-state recruiting. That’s a big reason why Kiffin made it a priority to retain key defensive coaches like Blake Baker, Corey Raymond, Jake Olsen, and Kevin Peoples. These guys know the Louisiana landscape - the schools, the coaches, the pipelines - and that continuity is invaluable when it comes to keeping the state’s best players home.
Now, it’s the offensive staff’s turn to get their feet on the ground and start building those same relationships. And over the past week, we’ve seen that process kick into gear. LSU’s new offensive coaches have been crisscrossing Louisiana, hitting high schools and making early impressions.
Running backs coach Frank Wilson has been spotted on the road, even blasting “Set it Off” in his car en route to Franklin Parish - a small moment, sure, but one that speaks to the energy this staff is bringing. Wide receivers coach George McDonald spent time in the New Orleans area, making stops at talent-rich programs like Country Day, St.
Augustine, Jesuit, and John F. Kennedy.
Tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox made his way through north Louisiana, visiting West Ouachita, Pineville, and Ruston - home of Ahmad Hudson, one of the top 10 overall players in the 2027 class. Hudson is drawing national attention, with Nebraska currently making a strong push for the elite prospect.
In a recent interview, Hudson acknowledged that LSU’s pursuit hasn’t been quite as aggressive as he expected - at least not yet.
“I wouldn't say it's been quiet, but it hasn't been as loud as I'd expect it to be,” Hudson said. “I completely understand with the coaches going back and forth between schools, so I guess I'll just have to see how it goes during the spring. Hopefully, it will go back up like I need it to.”
With the NCAA’s dead period lifting on Thursday, Cox’s visit to Ruston couldn’t have come at a better time. And while these January visits are about more than just seeing top players in action - they’re about laying the foundation for long-term relationships with high school coaches and programs across the state - they can also be pivotal moments in a recruitment.
Louisiana is a perennial hotbed for football talent. That’s not just a recruiting pitch - it’s backed up by the numbers.
The state consistently produces more NFL players per capita than anywhere else in the country. That’s why LSU’s ability to dominate in-state recruiting is so critical to its long-term success.
Kiffin addressed that very point during his appearance on the Texas Bowl broadcast back on December 27.
“You have this individual plan for wherever you're at,” Kiffin said. “LSU being LSU in the state of Louisiana… you’ve got so many great in-state players.
Like [Nick] Saban said, more per capita than any other state when it comes to NFL players. So to keep those guys home is a huge priority - to build through high school and add through the portal.”
The numbers speak for themselves: Louisiana currently boasts six of the top-100 players in the 2027 class and 11 in the top 247. That’s a talent pool no program can afford to ignore - especially not LSU.
The road trips the Tigers’ staff are making this month may not make national headlines, but they’re the start of something bigger. It’s about presence, consistency, and trust - the kind of groundwork that pays off on signing day. And for LSU, keeping the best of Louisiana in purple and gold remains the mission.