LSU football, under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly, is facing the stark realities of a rapidly changing college football landscape, where NIL deals play an increasingly pivotal role in recruiting battles.
For Kelly and his staff, the fallout from this shift has been both sobering and eye-opening.
The Tigers suffered significant losses on National Signing Day, with five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping to Michigan in what was reportedly a high-stakes $10+ million NIL deal.
Adding to the disappointment, four-star cornerback Kade Phillips opted for Texas, with NIL factors again taking center stage.
Kelly didn’t mince words about the challenges NIL has introduced.
“It’s not just about finding the right fit…it’s about the most money I can get,” Kelly said. “That’s unfortunate. But it’s the world we live in.”
Reflecting on the situation, Kelly posed a question to fans, urging them to maintain perspective: “If you’re a fan, you’ve got to look at this as if the glass is half full, or is it half empty?”
The veteran coach also expressed sympathy for the players caught in the NIL whirlwind.
“Those two guys loved LSU. They didn’t have much of a choice,” Kelly said of Underwood and Phillips’ decisions to bail on their Tiger commitments.
Adding to LSU’s woes, four-star defensive lineman Derek Meadows flipped to rival Alabama.
While the specifics of NIL’s role in his decision remain unclear, the loss further underscored the competitive nature of today’s recruiting environment.
Yet, it wasn’t all bad news for the Tigers.
LSU landed a significant win when five-star cornerback D.J. Pickett officially signed with the program.
Pickett, who committed in July, had been heavily pursued by Florida, Oregon, Miami, and Georgia.
His decision provided a much-needed boost for LSU, helping the program secure a spot in the top 10 of 247Sports’ national recruiting rankings.
In total, LSU signed 16 four-star recruits, a testament to the staff’s efforts in navigating the tumultuous NIL era.
Despite the setbacks, Kelly remains optimistic about the incoming 2025 freshman class, which he described as a talented and committed group.
Of course, if we’re being honest, you won’t find many fans who sympathize with Kelly. At times, he can be his own worst enemy and not many will shed a tear over his NIL complaints.
What are your thoughts on his comments???
