Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers lose out on another elite player at a position of desperate need, continuing a pretty bad streak
The LSU Tigers have been going after several offensive linemen in the 2027 recruiting class, and it’s just not going well after losing out on Kal’El Johnson.
The LSU Tigers missed on four-star offensive tackle Kal’El Johnson, a top-200 prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, and they lost him to a program most would consider a step below in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Johnson, out of Cincinnati, Ohio, committed to Georgia Tech over LSU, Ohio State, Indiana, North Carolina, Penn State, and Auburn. Johnson currently holds a 90.35 Rivals industry composite rating. He ranks as the No. 17 player at his position nationally and the No. 11 prospect in the state of Ohio.
The Tigers were his runner-up, and he took two visits to Baton Rouge before making his decision. He also took three visits to Ohio State, two to Georgia Tech, and one each to Indiana, Penn State, and Auburn.
Georgia Tech won out over one of college football’s premier programs
That a prospect of Johnson’s caliber chose Georgia Tech, a program on the rise but still building its brand, over LSU says something about what the Yellow Jackets are selling right now. LSU is one of the greatest programs this sport has ever seen, and losing a head-to-head battle with Georgia Tech on the offensive line recruiting trail is notable.
The Tigers still hold the No. 11 recruiting class in the country and the No. 5 class in the SEC. They have one five-star and nine four-star commitments. But the offensive line is where this one stings. LSU currently has one interior offensive lineman and one offensive tackle in the class, making Johnson a natural fit they could have used.
LSU still has options on the offensive line
Coach Lane Kiffin will get that sorted out. He usually does when it comes to recruiting, and there’s no need to panic over one miss. LSU is looking at other offensive tackles in this class, including Miller Westerfield. However, there’s a chance they may not land him either.
Regardless, it’s still early in the 2027 cycle, and Kiffin has proven he can close on the trail. The Tigers have time to address the offensive tackle spot, and they will figure something out before this class is finished.