Brian Kelly’s third season as head coach at LSU has taken a turn for the worse with the loss of five-star quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood, who has committed to Michigan instead. Underwood’s decision to join Michigan, reportedly due to an NIL offer in the ballpark of $10 million, adds to the woes surrounding the Tigers, who are currently on a three-game losing streak that has eliminated them from College Football Playoff contention.
While the recent struggles of the team and Kelly’s emotional outbursts on the sidelines might suggest a direct impact on Underwood’s choice, 247Sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu believes this transition was in motion long before the losing streak began. Trieu asserts that even if LSU had maintained a winning record, Underwood’s decision could have been the same, indicating the complexities behind recruiting in today’s college football landscape, especially with the burgeoning role of NIL deals.
LSU’s passionate fanbase is becoming increasingly frustrated, reflected in chatter on social media and fan forums. The implications of Underwood’s flip could threaten LSU’s 2025 recruiting class, which initially boasted several five-star prospects. Notably, elite wide receiver Derek Meadows is also exploring other options, and five-star cornerback commit DJ Pickett remains heavily pursued by other programs.
Coach Kelly addressed the tough situation facing the program on a recent radio show, emphasizing the constant communication with recruits amid the shifting dynamics of college football recruiting driven by NIL and revenue-sharing discussions. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that a series of losses raises questions about the future stability of the coaching staff and the overall direction of the program.
Concerns about Kelly’s fit at LSU have been heightened throughout the season, with speculation regarding his coaching style not resonating as well in Baton Rouge compared to his time at Notre Dame. Despite a brief surge of optimism following a comeback victory against Ole Miss, the consecutive losses seem to indicate deeper issues within the team.
The recent 27-14 loss to Florida highlighted the need for a capable quarterback—a role that Florida’s DJ Lagway demonstrated with his performance. For LSU to return to competitive form in the SEC, significant improvements are needed across various positions, particularly on the offensive line and defense, along with a strong quarterback performance, likely to fall to Garrett Nussmeier in the upcoming seasons.
On a more optimistic note, the setback of losing Underwood could potentially motivate Kelly and the LSU program to ramp up their NIL strategy and recruitment efforts. Just as Ohio State made significant investments in their program following a rival’s national championship win, LSU might use this situation as a catalyst for improvement.
As LSU navigates this turbulent phase, time is of the essence for Coach Kelly to reassess and execute a robust Plan B that can revitalize the program. The hope remains that these challenges could drive the team to greater accomplishments in the future.