Lane Kiffin’s LSU reset includes a surprising pipeline

Lane Kiffin’s LSU reset includes a surprising pipeline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

When Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss he didn't win over many people outside of Baton Rouge. There was a shift and a familiar pattern from his past which surfaced again.

However, now that dust has settled at LSU, an aggressive shift in philosophy for one of college football’s most tradition-rich programs is taking shape. Kiffin arrived on the scene with a reputation built on tempo, analytics and relentless roster churn. His early months have reflected that same urgency as LSU retools for immediate contention.

Kiffin’s transition has leaned heavily on the transfer portal, prioritizing experience and adaptability over long-term projection. That approach has widened LSU’s recruiting footprint, including a growing willingness to mine talent from HBCU programs — a pipeline increasingly valued across the sport. 

According to HBCU Gameday's Wali Pitt, As roster turnover accelerates nationwide, Kiffin has emphasized game-ready players who can contribute quickly, regardless of origin. 

"With the Tigers facing heavy roster turnover, the program entered a phase where experience, evaluation, and fit mattered most," Pitt wrote. "That approach widened the evaluation lens and created space for talent with varied developmental backgrounds, including HBCU football."

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One of those who was part of the first wave for Kiffin and LSU was North Carolina Central offensive lineman Ja’Quan Sprinkle. He brings durability after starting 27 games at the FCS level. Sprinkle earned all-conference honors and anchored an offensive line that protected efficiently and ran the ball consistently, traits that align with Kiffin’s up-tempo system. In the secondary, LSU added Treylan James from Southern University, a Baton Rouge native whose versatility and physical run support provide depth in a position group that demands constant rotation

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While Kiffin’s arrival at LSU has been defined by bold moves, the integration of HBCU players reflects a broader shift in college football. This is similar to the blueprint initially started by Deion Sanders when he made the transition to Colorado three years ago. But he took his own "Louis Luggage" with him from Jackson State. 

For LSU, Kiffin's approach represents both a competitive edge and an acknowledgment that high-level talent is no longer confined to traditional pathways. Expect more programs to take notice in the future.

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