Brian Kelly and LSU Tigers lose two critical recruiting battles in the same day to programs they should be able to win against
Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers continue to lose some puzzling recruiting battles this summer. This time two critical losses happened on the same day–one of which was just flat out embarrassing. The Tigers do have a top 12 recruiting class for 2026 as of this writing, but this trend cannot continue. Ethan "Boobie" Feaster […]
Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers continue to lose some puzzling recruiting battles this summer. This time two critical losses happened on the same day–one of which was just flat out embarrassing. The Tigers do have a top 12 recruiting class for 2026 as of this writing, but this trend cannot continue.
Ethan "Boobie" Feaster commits to USC instead of LSU
Ethan Feaster, a top 50 overall recruit in the nation from DeSoto, Texas has been one of the most heavily pursued wide receiver recruits in the nation three years in a row now. He's racked up over 50 scholarship offers, but had his decision come down to LSU, USC, Alabama, and Texas A&M.
On July 4th, Feaster announced that he would be heading to USC instead of joining the LSU Tigers saying, "I saw [that I had] a chance to start, and a chance to do something really incredible and really different–and be the first player out of DeSoto High School to sign with USC out of high school."
This disappointment was a bit understandable considering all the other schools involved. Plus, as Feaster said himself, early starting opportunity was huge for him and at LSU that might not be so readily available.
Barion Brown, Aaron Anderson, Nic Anderson, and more wide receivers could still technically return next year. Plus, five star Tristen Keys, high four star Jabari Mack, and Kenny Darby are all already committed to LSU. The competition should be pretty intense in 2026 at wide receiver.
Xavier McDonald commits to Sacramento State instead of LSU
Ethan Feaster's commitment elsewhere was one thing. Xavier McDonald choosing an FCS school over LSU is absolutely not okay if you're a Tigers fan. McDonald–a top 120 recruit in the country–had his recruitment come down to LSU, Ole Miss, North Carolina, and Sacramento State (somehow).
McDonald ultimately settled on Sacramento State, becoming the highest ranked recruit in the program's history.
Yes, it's fine that LSU already has three recruits committed at wide receiver in their 2026 recruiting class. However, there's been consistent buzz that Tristen Keys may be flipping at some point given all of his interest and visits.
Losing out on a talent like Xavier McDonald a school that doesn't even play football on the same level is an absolutely terrible look for LSU. And if they lose any of the wide receivers already committed (like Keys) this loss may really come back to bite them. Hopefully Brian Kelly and his staff put a stop to losses on the recruiting trail like these, and fast.
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