Is LSU College Football's New Public Enemy No. 1 After Dae'Quan Wright Saga?

The LSU Tigers are arguably one of the biggest brands in the country, and with that comes more eyes than normal watching every game and every move the program makes, waiting for a chance to talk about something the program did.

That point is even further enhanced when the Tigers brought in Lane Kiffin to be the new head coach, poaching him away from conference foes, the Ole Miss Rebels. Now, the program has gotten a commitment from Dae'Quan Wright, a former Ole Miss Player who signed with the Cleveland Browns but was waived by the NFL team to return to college football.

With the combination of the coaching staff, the brand, and the commitment of Wright, the Tigers have quickly become public enemy No. 1, and while many think it is well deserved, it might just fuel the Tigers' entering the year.

Adding Fuel to the Fire

LSU Tigers head football coach Lane Kiffin talking with Quarterback Husan Longstreet 8 at LSU Football practice. August 18, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

No one likes to be viewed as the villain in any capacity, but for Kiffin, this is nothing new to him. He has long been a polarizing figure in the sport and is constantly looked down upon by fans, whether it be for his antics or just how he carries himself.

Now, with the Wright situation, the discourse surrounding Kiffin and the program has reached an all-time high, despite the Tigers doing nothing that hasn't already been approved by the proper parties that be.

The goal in college football is to win a national championship above all. There are side quests, yes, those that include building the next generation and guiding your team to be the best version of themselves, but in today's day and age, with the volume of money involved, winning is king, and Kiffin understands, and understands that if not him, then someone else will after all.

"They're either going to play for you or play for someone else," Kiffin said of the new additions in Wright and Tuihalamaka.

Every coach in college football is looking for an extra edge over their opponents. Kiffin found one and used a relationship he built over two years to give the Tigers a boost before the beginning of the season.

The Tigers did nothing different than any other team would look to do, and as long as it remains legal, they should continue looking for more pieces to add. At this point, they are already viewed as the villains, so why not lean into it and watch everyone seethe at the chance of the Tigers hosting a national championship trophy in February?

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