The LSU Tigers’ pursuit of 2027 five-star wide receiver Easton Royal remains one of the biggest storylines in the SEC this offseason. 

Royal, an elite recruit from New Orleans, has been committed to Texas since last November, but Lane Kiffin is making a strong push to flip the in-state talent before the December signing period.

The five-star recruit is currently weighing whether to stick with Texas or flip to LSU, and no one is sure exactly when Royal will make a final call. There have been rumors that a decision could come as early as July, but most expect this recruitment to stretch well into the fall and probably all the way to December (this battle won’t truly be over until Royal signs with a team in December).

Easton Royal is torn between Texas and LSU

A Texas insider described Royal this week as torn between the two programs. 

“We know the story here…he’s struggling, this kid is struggling because he loves Texas, he loves the opportunity,” said On3 Texas insider Justin Wells. “He also loves being home, loves being around his mom, his family, all his friends that he grew up with, so he’s got a tough decision.”

There are rumblings that Royal wants to take a visit to LSU this fall to see Kiffin and the new staff in action and make sure he fits into the offense before he makes a final decision, but we’ll see if that visit happens.

When this is all said and done, though, I think Royal ends up at LSU.

It would be a surprise if the Tigers let an in-state player of this magnitude get away, especially a wide receiver. The pull to play for LSU when you’re a wideout from New Orleans is just too strong. Following in the footsteps of Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Brian Thomas Jr., and others who built their legacies in Baton Rouge before becoming NFL stars won’t be easy for Royal to pass up. 

Texas has done a good job of holding onto Royal’s commitment to this point, but I think LSU’s combination of proximity, tradition at the wide receiver position, and an aggressive new coaching staff (the Kiffin factor) gives the Tigers a significant edge. 

We’ll continue to monitor this recruitment as it stretches into the season. For now, all eyes remain on whether Royal schedules that fall visit to LSU and how Texas responds.