Tag: Brian Kelly

Three things to know about LSU’s newest addition on the offensive line

Here’s what LSU fans need to know about the Tigers newest addition on the offensive line

LSU football continued its hot streak in the transfer portal on Saturday, signing former Virginia Tech offensive lineman Braelin Moore.

Moore addresses a big need for an LSU team that needs help on the offensive line. The Tigers will replace four starters this offseason with LT Will Campbell, RT Emery Jones, LG Garrett Dellinger, and RG Miles Frazier off to the NFL.

With Moore, LSU adds a player with Power Four experience at multiple spots up front.

According to the On3 Industry Rankings, Moore is a four-star transfer and No. 5 at his position. On3’s own rankings slate Moore as the top interior offensive lineman in the transfer class.

LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] promised an aggressive approach in the transfer portal, and we’re seeing it pay off so far. Moore has the chance to be an impact player at a key position.

According to 247Sports, LSU’s transfer class ranks No. 2 in the nation, only behind Texas Tech.

Here are three things Tiger fans should know about Moore

Can play several positions

Moore brings versatility to the Tigers’ offensive line.

In 2023, Moore held down the Hokies’ left guard spot. In 2024, he shifted over to center. The initial thought is that LSU plans to slot Moore at center, allowing the Tigers’ to give DJ Chester a shot at guard.

In an era where it’s hard to maintain depth on the offensive line, having players that produce at multiple positions is key.

Strong run blocker

LSU struggled to run the ball in 2024. Some of it was scheme-related, but the Tigers struggled to establish control on the interior. Moore should help that.

According to PFF, Moore’s run-blocking grade ranked 13th among Power Four centers in 2024.

Competing at the top level of the sport means using the portal to fill immediate needs and that’s what LSU did here.

Moore was a three-star recruit

Coming out of high school, Moore was a three-star recruit and ranked No. 471 overall in On3’s Industry Ratings.

Originally from Bethlehem, PA, Moore was the No. 14 ranked recruit in the state.

Moore managed to see the field quick in Blacksburg. He earned a full-time starting role as a sophomore. He arrives at LSU with two years of eligibility remaining, which gives LSU a chance to create consistency on the interior offensive line.

LSU transfer portal: Are Tigers a fit for former Florida State EDGE?

Could this former Florida State defensive end be a fit for LSU?

LSU football already made some noise in the transfer portal, bolstering its defense. But could the Tigers add another piece to its front seven?

Patrick Payton ranks as the No. 3 edge rusher and No. 19 prospect in the transfer portal, according to On3’s Industry Rankings. Initial reporting points to LSU as a potential landing place for the former Florida State defender.

Through three seasons with the Seminoles, Payton posted 109 total tackles and 16 sacks. He’s a proven contributor, creating havoc with pass deflections and a few forced fumbles to his name.

LSU secured commitments from two defensive end transfers in, Jimari Butler from Nebraska and Jack Pyburn from Florida. Adding another proven playmaker in Payton would further bolster the Tigers’ depth in the trenches, especially considering what they lost following the 2024 regular season.

Starters Bradyn Swinson and Sai’Vion Jones declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, while Da’Shawn Womack transferred to Ole Miss.

A unit that was hurting for experience, the defensive end room was a main focus for LSU’s recruiting class.

Along with the transfer additions, LSU is set to return freshman [autotag]Gabe Reliford[/autotag], who saw immediate action in year one with the Tigers.

Head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] emphasized an aggressive approach in the portal, which has been delivered so far. Securing a commitment from Payton would line up with that strategy.

LSU football fixes key need with transfer portal addition

LSU football addressed another key need in the transfer portal on Thursday, signing a punter

LSU Football added to its growing list of transfer portal commitments on Thursday.

CBS Sports and 247 Sports reported that Grant Chadwick chose the Tigers as his next team. He is considered one of the top young punters in the country.

In one season at Middle Tennessee State, Chadwick finished with 51 punts and averaged 43.4 yards per punt, the sixth-best for a single game in school history and the best by a true freshman. He downed 21 inside the 20-yard line and had 13 picks go for 50 or more yards. Chadwick landed on the Ray Guy watch list for his efforts, which recognizes the nation’s best college punter.

On3’s Industry Rankings gives Chadwick a three-star ranking and spots him as the No. 26 punter in the 2025 transfer class. The Tullahoma, TN native chose the Blue Raiders over Memphis during the 2024 recruiting cycle.

Improving efforts on special teams has been a focus since head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] arrived in Baton Rouge. LSU struggled to pin its opponents deep in 2024, often losing the field position battle.

The Tigers have two punters with at least one year of eligibility, but Chadwick gives the Tigers a proven option.

LSU Football secures commitment from elite transfer wide receiver

LSU landed a much needed player from the transfer portal on Tuesday

LSU football landed one of the top transfers in the country on Tuesday evening.

On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported that former Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson chose the Tigers as his next team. The four-star portal prospect ranked No. 5 at his position and No. 10 overall.

Anderson recorded a breakout campaign in 2023 as he caught 38 passes for 789 yards and ten touchdowns, a school record for a freshman. He missed most of this season due to an upper quad injury.

The Katy, TX native drew a four-star rating, according to On3’s Industry Rankings, as part of the 2022 class. He ranked No. 33 out of Texas and No. 34 at his position. Though he originally committed to Oregon, Anderson flipped to the Sooners in November 2021.

LSU needed experience and skill in the receiver room due to NFL departures and an exodus to the portal. When healthy, Anderson brings exceptional physical skills and the ability to get vertical to make tough catches with his six-foot-four, 219-pound frame.

Head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] encouraged his staff to be aggressive in the portal, especially at positions of need. Securing Anderson’s commitment marks a major win for the Tigers as his skills complement the experience of [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] and fellow transfer [autotag]Barion Brown.[/autotag]

He is the third wideout to choose LSU as his next school and has a lot of upside.

Marcus Freeman named one of five finalists for Dodd Trophy

He deserves this for sure.

Notre Dame easily could have folded after its shocking loss to Northern Illinois in its home opener. Instead, [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] got the Irish back on track, and they haven’t lost since. That put the Irish in the College Football Playoff, and Freeman’s reward was a contract extension that locked him up for the next six years.

Now, Freeman has another reward coming his way. He has been named one of five finalists for the Dodd Award, which is given to the coach whose team best excels on the field, in the community and in the classroom. This is his first time making the final cut alongside all the other finalists, consisting of Army’s Jeff Monken, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, Oregon’s Dan Lanning and South Carolina’s Shane Beamer.

Brian Kelly is the lone Irish coach to win this award, doing so in 2018. Given the current environment, it’s very likely Irish fans would be much happier seeing Freeman win it.

Here’s Freeman news conference this past week in case you missed it:

Obviously, the real goal is a national championship, but this is a nice one to have at the moment.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Is LSU star linebacker Harold Perkins returning to LSU in 2025?

Will Harold Perkins return to LSU in 2025?

It’s the time of year when hundreds of college football players decide on their future. A draft-eligible junior has three options: return to school, enter the transfer portal, or enter the NFL Draft.

LSU football has already lost three key players to the draft, with tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones declaring, along with tight end Mason Taylor.

A key decision remains — star LSU linebacker Harold Perkins has yet to reveal his next move.

Perkins missed most of 2024 after injuring his knee in LSU’s win over UCLA. He was one of the SEC’s top pass rushers in 2022 before taking time to settle into a new role at middle linebacker in 2023, a position he carried into 2024.

When asked about Perkins’ future last month, LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said a few things are on the table.

“I know he’s weighing the options, and clearly, we would love to have him back, but we know that these decisions are not easy. We’ll support him in whatever he decides and provide him all the resources necessary to make the best decision for him and his family,” Kelly said.

Kelly added that the LSU training staff’s report on Perkins was positive, and he passed the early stages of repair. Perkins was in the building more as the season drew to a close.

The road hasn’t been smooth for Perkins following his breakout freshman campaign, but he’s a talent LSU would like to have back.

Brian Kelly on what transfer Bauer Sharp brings to LSU tight end room

Here’s what Brian Kelly said about LSU’s first transfer signing Bauer Sharp

LSU’s first signing out of the transfer portal replaced a huge part of its offense from last season.

Tight end Bauer Sharp is set to join the Tigers after spending 2024 with Oklahoma. He totaled 324 yards and 17 first downs last season with the Sooners.

Head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] talked about Sharp’s “physicality” and how it will benefit the team’s offensive scheme. Coupled with a depleted wide receiver and offensive line room, LSU needs quality blockers and pass catchers. It feels that Sharp can help in both areas.

“If you look at his body of work, it’s the physicality in the run game,” Kelly said. “Blocking tackles out on the perimeter, we love his physicality in the run game.”

Sharp will add to the offense in a variety of ways as it looks to replace 2025 NFL Draft prospect [autotag]Mason Taylor.[/autotag] He came in as a quarterback at Southeast Louisiana and made the switch at Oklahoma. With a unique perspective, Sharp will aim to help elevate the Tigers’ offense alongside Garrett Nussmeier.

It remains to be seen if offensive coordinator Joe Sloan will use Sharp in any passing or direct snap situations given his throwing experience but the Tigers are optimistic about what the tight end will bring to the team.

“He has the ability to do some really good things in the passing game for us as well,” Kelly said. “I think what really stood out was having that kind of versatility in the run game and the passing game.”

Brian Kelly on why he’s using his money to help LSU’s NIL operation

Brian Kelly explains why he’s dipping into his own pockets to help LSU get where it needs to be in NIL

LSU football head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] made waves on Friday when LSU announced that Kelly would match donations to LSU’s NIL collective up to a million dollars.

Kelly cannot donate directly to the NIL collective, so his money will go to the Tiger Athletic Foundation, LSU’s primary booster club.

The announcement comes a week after Kelly emphasized how important NIL was in the modern era of college football.

“You need NIL to supplement your recruiting efforts, and that’s just the reality of what we live in,” Kelly said on National Signing Day.

“Recruiting is no longer just about recruiting. It’s no longer just about relationships. You need a collective,” Kelly said.

On Friday, Kelly referenced those comments when explaining the reasons behind the “Million Dollar Match Challenge.”

“I figured that after my last press conference, where I pretty much challenged the entire LSU fan base, that if they wanted to continue to have a championship program that, they needed to understand that there’s a financial responsibility, as well, that I needed to put my money where my mouth was and be a part of that,” Kelly said.

“I thought that it should start with me and then continue to work through all the other avenues that are available to us,” Kelly said.

LSU is competitive in NIL, but the Tigers have been outclassed at times by other collectives. Kelly is taking a step to help LSU reach the next tier.

In the era of the transfer portal, building a championship team requires spending a pretty penny on transfer additions and high school recruits.

Brian Kelly sheds light on Garrett Nussmeier returning to LSU

Brian Kelly discussed Garrett Nuussmier’s process of returning to LSU

Amid LSU football’s preparation for the Texas Bowl, the Tigers’ starting quarterback revealed his plans for 2025.

[autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] announced his decision to don the purple and gold for his fifth season in an Instagram post on Wednesday. LSU was optimistic about Nussmeier turning the NFL Draft down, and LSU head coach Brian Kelly hinted at it last month.

In a press conference on Friday, LSU head coach[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] shared more information about the recruiting of Nussmeier, who he called “arguably the best quarterback in the SEC and maybe in the country.”

“We did our due diligence,” Kelly said. “We made our case as to why it was in everybody’s best interest for him to come back for another year and re-recruited him from that standpoint.”

LSU will see some heavy losses on the offensive side of the ball, with both starting tackles declaring for the draft, receiver Kyren Lacy graduating, and receiver CJ Daniels hitting the transfer portal. Starting tight end Mason Taylor is turning pro, too.

To maintain continuity and give the team a chance to compete for the SEC and national titles, Kelly knew he had to keep his starting quarterback on the roster.

Nussmeier is healthy and practicing at a limited pace following a shoulder injury that held him out for part of the regular season finale against Oklahoma. The gunslinger returned to the game but is still recovering.

Kelly hinted that Nussmeier would be active in the Texas Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

“We’re trying to keep his load down a little bit right now, and we’ll continue to ramp it up over the next week,” Kelly said.

The Tigers should feel confident in their program moving forward with their starting quarterback returning for the postseason and 2025, especially given the status of the current roster.

“There was always a sense of he’s waited for his opportunity, and he had been such a proponent of LSU and wanting to be here that there was always this sense that he was going to come back, but we never took it for granted,” Kelly said.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly to match $1 million in NIL collective funds

LSU head coach Brian Kelly is serious about increasing LSU’s NIL funding

In a new era of college athletics, LSU football head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] is stepping up to provide for his program in a new way.

Kelly, alongside his wife Paqui, is starting the Kelly Family Million Dollar Match Challenge, according to an Instagram post shared on Friday. The couple will match contributions up to $1 million to the football NIL fund through LSU’s collective, Bayou Traditions, through February 5.

The Kellys will send their contribution to the Tiger Athletic Foundation’s AD’s Excellence Fund. It is their second $1 million contribution to the LSU athletic department, the first coming in 2022 to support the construction of new training facilities, which opened in 2024. Both gifts are the largest by a sitting head coach in LSU history.

“While we are not permitted to financially support our NIL efforts directly, Paqui and I can certainly match this tremendous fanbase’s generosity by investing in the future of LSU Athletics through the Tiger Athletic Foundation,” Kelly said.

Following a subpar season and the loss of the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, Kelly is committed to bolstering his roster now and in the future. The fourth-year head coach pointed to aggressive recruiting of the transfer portal and uncommitted high school prospects following the Tigers’ final game of the regular season.

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