Brian Kelly catches backhanded compliment from Lane Kiffin about LSU’s transfer portal strategy
The LSU Tigers and Brian Kelly are no strangers to verbal jabs from Lane Kiffin. The charismatic head coach of Ole Miss has already begun touting Kelly’s transfer portal success, which has largely contributed to the Tigers’ remarkable defensive improvement. There was truth in what Kiffin said, and there was a hint of jealousy in […]
The LSU Tigers and Brian Kelly are no strangers to verbal jabs from Lane Kiffin. The charismatic head coach of Ole Miss has already begun touting Kelly’s transfer portal success, which has largely contributed to the Tigers’ remarkable defensive improvement. There was truth in what Kiffin said, and there was a hint of jealousy in his voice.
While Ole Miss has played well through the first month of action, their defense hasn’t matched the Tigers’. No one expected LSU to boast arguably the best defensive unit in the country thus far, and for it to be the driving force for their rise to elite SEC positioning.
With Garrett Nussmeier and Caden Durham healthier, Kiffin is laying the seeds for excuses to lose to LSU. Here’s what he said.
Lane Kiffin Praises LSU’s DB Additions From Transfer Portal
Lane Kiffin said LSU’s three starting transfer defensive backs — Mansoor Delane, Tamarcus Cooley and AJ Haulcy — were “probably the three most expensive portal DBs in the market.” “And they got them all. They did a great job with that, and now they’re coaching them really well.”
Kiffin was right, as Delane, Haulcy, and Cooley have been mainstays on the unit. The latter has graded the worst on PFF, earning a mediocre 60.7 grade. Adding to his poor coverage stats are six missed tackles, already setting a career high and 25% rate.
Part of the reason why is Cooley has moved from being a slot and box defender at NC State to a true safety and hybrid defender. LSU should consider benching Cooley soon or changing him to a more limited role to get more out of him.
However, Delane and Haulcy have been elite driving forces for the unit. And it sounds like Kiffin would’ve loved to have them in Oxford.
