Lane Kiffin landed the highest-rated pledge of his early tenure at LSU on Saturday when four-star defensive end Jaiden Bryant announced his commitment to the Tigers
Bryant is noted as ESPN’s No. 37 overall prospect and the No. 5 defensive end in the 2027 recruiting class. He revealed his decision live on ESPN2 during the Under Armour All-America Game.
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound standout from Columbia, South Carolina, chose LSU over 35 schools, including most of the SEC. The commitment represents a significant early recruiting win for Kiffin, who arrived in Baton Rouge from Ole Miss a little over a month ago. Despite the late transition, LSU held on to the nation’s 14th-ranked 2026 class during last month’s early signing period.
That group is headlined by five-star defensive tackle Lamar Brown, the program’s first No. 1 overall signee since Leonard Fournette in 2014. Brown is one of eight blue-chip prospects who initially committed under Brian Kelly and later signed with the Tigers after Kiffin’s arrival.
Bryant becomes the second pledge in LSU’s 2027 class, joining in-state quarterback Peyton Houston. A multi-sport athlete at Irmo High School, Bryant has recorded 171 tackles and 29.5 sacks over the past two seasons, earning South Carolina’s 5A Defensive Player of the Year honors twice.
More college football news:
- Oregon's Dan Lanning rips College Football Playoff, calls for major changes
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Top 2026 NFL Draft prospect suffers broken rib in CFP quarterfinal loss
- ESPN's grade for LSU hiring Lane Kiffin will make Ole Miss fans even more mad
- Dabo Swinney fires Clemson coaches immediately after loss to Penn State
- Ohio State's Ryan Day faces backlash after Cotton Bowl