LSU’s most prized commitment is hitting pause.
Lamar Brown, the top-overall player in the 2026 ESPN 300, will not sign with the Tigers during this week’s early signing period as he waits for newly hired coach Lane Kiffin to assemble his staff, according to ESPN on Tuesday night.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive tackle from nearby Erwinville remains verbally committed to LSU. But his decision to delay signing is a sign of uncertainty into a class that opened Tuesday ranked No. 15 nationally.
Brown has been the featured part of LSU’s 2026 recruiting efforts since committing on July 10 over Texas A&M and Miami.
Both programs continued pressuring him following Brian Kelly’s October dismissal, but Brown reaffirmed his pledge and met with Kiffin shortly after the new coach arrived on Sunday. If Brown ultimately signs, he would be LSU’s first No. 1 overall signee since Leonard Fournette 12 years ago.
Kiffin brought six assistants with him from Ole Miss, but the futures of key LSU staffers, notably defensive coordinator Blake Baker and longtime assistant Frank Wilson remain unsettled. Brown holds strong ties to both, and their statuses are expected to factor heavily into his final decision. Kiffin said Monday that Wilson will coach through bowl season as interim.
While Brown waits, Kiffin has begun reshaping the Tigers’ class. He's trying to take Ole Miss recruits to Death Valley. We'll see how successful the effort becomes after the dust settles.
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