Tag: Jake Olsen

4-star safety CJ Jimcoily explains why he committed to LSU

The Tigers added another blue-chip defensive back to their 2025 class earlier this week.

LSU added a pair of commitments in the last few days, headlined by four-star Nashville receiver [autotag]CJ Jimcoily[/autotag].

The Tigers had been recently trending for Jimcoily, and he explained why he ultimately chose LSU over Stanford to On3’s Chad Simmons.

“The coaching staff and the environment at LSU felt like family,” Jimcoily told On3. “In Louisiana, it is different. My dad is from Louisiana, I have family there, and that is how the people are in that state. It is a big family in Louisiana and the people at LSU that recruited me made me feel that way. That feeling was different from anywhere else.

“The people at LSU were a big reason why I committed to LSU. They care for me and want the best for me. LSU showed me where I could get a good degree, internships I could take part in and how I could build strong relationships for my future as well. That was a factor for me also.

“I knew not going to Stanford I would have to give something up academically, but LSU showed me a great, how I can still get a strong degree and still be around great people and be developed as a football player. It came down to the wire, but I had that feeling LSU. Things clicked, the feeling came to me and LSU is the school.”

Jimcoily explained why relationships were key to his decision, from his “faith” in coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to the group of commits he now joins.

“I have a lot of love and faith in coach Kelly,” Jimcoily said. “He is building a monster recruiting class and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it. Coach Kelly is very passionate about LSU, recruits see it in his eyes and that had a big impact on me.

“Recruits are so excited about playing for LSU and coach Kelly. I have spoken with Bryce Underwood and other commits. They are recruiting me and are excited about the future at LSU. It started with coach Kelly and we all have the faith that he is building something special in Baton Rouge.”

Jimcoily told On3 that the most impactful relationship that led to his commitment decision, however, was that with new safeties coach [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag], who followed new defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] from Missouri.

“I love coach Olsen. He has been the biggest component when talking about relationships. From the time he got to LSU, he was in touch me. Coach Olsen is so genuine and honest. We have a great relationship and nobody has recruited me harder. He has a special place in my heart because of who he is and how he put the time in to recruit me.”

After adding Jimcoily and four-star receiver [autotag]Phillip Wright III[/autotag], a Louisiana native and former Michigan decommitment, the Tigers’ class remains ranked No. 3 according to both the On3 industry and the 247Sports composite rankings.

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Is LSU safety Jordan Allen on the verge of a breakout in 2024?

Can LSU safety Jordan Allen emerge in 2024?

LSU showcased a new look defense on its first day of fall camp. [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] was back with the cornerbacks, opening up a spot at safety.

With a spot open at safety, [autotag]Jordan Allen[/autotag] slid in to take the first-team reps. Allen was a three-star in the class of 2022, Brian Kelly’s first signing class at LSU. The On3 Industry Rankings rated him as the No. 51 safety in the class and the No. 23 prospect in the state of Louisiana.

Allen didn’t play much as a freshman in 2022 and saw just 47 defensive snaps. That was enough to keep his redshirt. As a redshirt freshman last year, Allen saw a good bit action the back half of the season.

His 37 snaps against Florida in Week 11 were a career high. Allen struggled, posting a 50.4 PFF grade, but he continued to see time in November. Against Georgia State and Texas A&M, the results were better.

Allen rotated in against Wisconsin too, playing nine stops and notching a defensive stop.

LSU is thin in the secondary, especially at corner. That trickle down will affect will affect the safeties with Ryan needing to play corner.

Veteran safety [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] is moving to the star position, meaning LSU’s backend will have a different look this year. The Tigers landed former Texas A&M safety [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag] in the transfer portal, who brings starting SEC experience, but other than that, there are questions.

Allen could prove to be the answer. Even if he doesn’t assume a full time starting role, Allen looks to be factoring into Blake Baker’s defensive plans. LSU safety coach [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag] did good work with the safeties at Missouri and could be what this group needs to take a step forward.

Baker likes to play an aggressive style of defense. That will put pressure on the young secondary at times. If another safety emerges, that can help LSU limit the big plays allowed this fall.

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Brian Kelly details LSU’s new defensive staff hires

The Tigers will have an almost entirely new-look defensive staff in 2024.

It was an offseason full of shakeups on the defensive side of the ball for LSU.

Following the ReliaQuest Bowl, the Tigers fired defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] and most of his staff. Replacing him is [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag], who [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] recently commented on during his trip to the Senior Bowl.

“I got a chance to spend a little bit of time with Blake,” Kelly said. “But anytime there is a transition, it is very difficult to commit to anybody because you are bringing in a whole new philosophy and a way of doing things.

“I was impressed with him and then obviously, with the work he did at Missouri. And as an SEC opponent, we got a chance to see him first-hand. Was impressed with his work. His ability to recruit and certainly the relationships he built at LSU when he was here made him a logical choice.”

Joining Baker on the defensive staff are [autotag]Bo Davis[/autotag] and [autotag]Kevin Peoples[/autotag], who will coach the defensive line, and [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] and [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag], who will work with the secondary.

It’s a return to LSU for both Davis and Raymond. Both are former LSU players and have been on staff before, with Raymond serving as a defensive backs coach from 2012-21. Baker and Olsen also previously coached at LSU.

“When we talk about the best defensive line coaches in the country, his name keeps coming up,” Kelly said. “I got a chance to spend some time with him and talk to him about returning to LSU. It wasn’t an easy decision for him. He was at a great school and a great program, but I think the ability to come back to LSU was attractive to him. The ability to build something here great was attractive.

“Certainly teaming him with Kevin Peoples, who is an outstanding defensive line coach who sometimes gets into the shadows but is, in his own right, one of the best in the business. I think we’ve got two outstanding coaches there that are going to do a great job.”

LSU will hope this new staff can reverse last season’s defensive woes, which held the team back despite the offense being one of the best in the country.

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Ranking the five best LSU DBs coached by Corey Raymond

Corey Raymond is back in Baton Rouge. Here are the top five players from his first stint as DBs coach.

[autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag] is back in Baton Rouge.

Raymond rose to prominence in the 2010s coaching LSU’s defensive backs, where he assembled some of the sport’s most talented units year after year.

He wasn’t retained upon Brian Kelly’s arrival in 2021, but after LSU’s secondary struggled in 2023, Kelly is bringing back a familiar face.

According to The Advocate, Raymond’s deal is two years with a team option in Year 3. Raymond will be joined by [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag], who was named safeties coach.

With Raymond back, it’s time to take a look at some of the best players Raymond coached in his lengthy stint at LSU.

LSU hires Missouri analyst Jake Olsen as safeties coach

Jake Olsen will take an on-field role at LSU after serving as an analyst under new DC Blake Baker at Missouri.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Missouri analyst [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag] would be following newly hired defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] to LSU, but it wasn’t clear whether that would be in an on-field or off-field capacity.

Now, we have our answer.

Olsen is set to join the Tigers staff as the safeties coach. He will work alongside [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag], who was rehired to coach defensive backs following a two-year stint in the same role at Florida.

Before working with Baker at Missouri, Olsen was an analyst under him on LSU’s staff in 2021. He previously worked at Northwestern State, serving in various roles including as recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator.

With Olsen taking an on-field role, the Tigers’ staff is almost complete. The only spot left to fill is the vacant offensive coordinator role left when [autotag]Mike Denbrock[/autotag] took the same job at Notre Dame.

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LSU reportedly adding Missouri analyst to coaching staff

Jake Olsen followed Blake Baker from LSU to Missouri, and he’s reportedly following him back.

The Tigers are already working to finalize a hire for the coaching staff in [autotag]Corey Raymond[/autotag], who is reportedly close to a deal to return to LSU after two years at Florida.

But that’s not the only impending move the Tigers are making as another familiar face is reportedly set to make his return. According to On3’s Billy Embody, they are close to adding Missouri defensive analyst [autotag]Jake Olsen[/autotag] to the staff. Olsen’s role is still to be determined.

Olsen has worked with new LSU defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] for the last two seasons, and he was an analyst with the Tigers prior to the coaching change following the 2021 season, following Baker to Missouri.

Olsen has also spent time at Louisiana-Monroe, Nicholls and Northwestern State, where he served as a recruiting coordinator and later the special teams coordinator.

He worked with safeties at Missouri, and that could be the role he finds himself in if LSU ultimately chooses to split defensive back coaching duties after hiring Raymond.

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