Lane Kiffin’s first offseason with LSU earns top-5 ESPN ranking

All eyes will be on coach Lane Kiffin when LSU starts its season in September. This early, Kiffin is already under a lot of scrutiny from the public, as he will have to prove that he is worth every penny of his lucrative contract with the Tigers.

Kiffin left Ole Miss in November to join LSU on a seven-year, $91 million deal, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

He did not waste any time forming his staff, and he did not have to look far. He brought with him his deputies at Ole Miss. He also got busy in acquiring talents from the transfer portal, including quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, and wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, among others.

LSU’s first offseason under Kiffin was ranked No. 2 in the SEC by ESPN. While the program had tough departures, including quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, ESPN noted that the Tigers remained a formidable unit.

“Kiffin not only landed a successor to Nussmeier by luring Leavitt to LSU, but also secured a potential heir apparent in USC transfer Husan Longstreet. LSU loaded up at wide receiver with transfers Jayce Brown (Kansas State), Tre’ Brown III (Old Dominion), Winston Watkins (Ole Miss), and Eugene Wilson III (Florida) and addressed a pressing need on the offensive line by landing Seaton from Colorado and guards Aliou Bah (Maryland) and Devin Harper (Ole Miss),” said ESPN.

It also hailed the retention of defensive coordinator Blake Baker, describing it as Kiffin’s “biggest move” of the offseason.

“The retention of Baker was significant on its own, and Baker returns with an infusion of talent at every level of his defense. (Princewill) Umanmielen and SEC tackles leader TJ Dottery each followed Kiffin from Ole Miss,” added ESPN.

Kiffin, who replaced Brian Kelly, has a glowing resume, including steering Ole Miss to its first-ever CFP appearance. He, however, did not coach in the playoffs, as he had already joined LSU.

The Tigers finished with a 9-4 record last season, including 5-3 in the SEC.

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