LSU Football Commit, Top Florida Prospect Reopens Recruitment After Alabama Loss

The prized LSU Tigers pledge took an unofficial visit to Miami over the weekend, now backs off of commitment.

Courtesy of DeAnthony Lafayette's Instagram.

Orlando (Fla.) Lake Nona four-star defensive lineman DeAnthony Lafayette has backed off of his commitment to the LSU Tigers and will reopen his recruitment, according to Rivals.

Lafayette, the No. 5 rated EDGE in Florida, pledged to the Bayou Bengals over the Oklahoma Sooners over the summer in what became a two-team race leading up to the decision.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder reeled in offers from the likes of the LSU Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Boston College Eagles, Miami Hurricanes, and Florida Gators, among several others, following a stellar 2024 junior campaign in Florida.

Lafayette wrapped up his junior season with 73 tackles, 40 quarterback hurries and 17.5 sacks in 11 games, according MaxPreps.

From there, the LSU Tigers intensified their pursuit.

Courtesy of DeAnthony Lafayette's Instagram.

The LSU coaching staff brought in Lafayette for an official visit to Baton Rouge during the weekend of June 13 where the coveted Florida native soaked in the scenes of campus while in on a multi-day stay.

Following the visit, while taking time to mull over options with his camp, the LSU Tigers quickly emerged as the team to beat in his process.

“I’m going to LSU!” Lafayette told Rivals. “Coach (Kevin) Peoples showed love since they offered me and his coaching style is a style I would love to be coached by.

“LSU football is something you can’t find anywhere else. It was hard between OU and LSU but they won me over.”

The visit to Baton Rouge set the tone in his process where the Tigers locked in Lafayette.

“It was just the feeling on the official visits,” he told Rivals. “LSU felt more like home for me. Baton Rouge — from the energy, the people, and the love for LSU football — hit different. From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home.

“You can tell the city breathes football, and being part of that means everything.”

Courtesy of DeAnthony Lafayette's X/Twitter.

But following the firing of head coach Brian Kelly - amid a chaotic time in Baton Rouge - Lafayette is now keeping his options open.

The four-star defensive lineman took a visit to see the Miami Hurricanes this weekend as Mario Cristobal and Co. rapidly intensify their pursuit for the Sunshine State prospect.

Now, Lafayette has reopened his recruitment with a decision to back off of a commitment to the LSU Tigers on Sunday.

More LSU News:

Elite LSU Football Commit Reaffirms Pledge Despite Ohio State, Ole Miss Pushing

Five Players LSU Football Must Keep After Brian Kelly's Firing, Including DJ Pickett

ESPN Insider Labels Lane Kiffin 'Top Target' for LSU Football, Florida Gators

Join the Community:

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU Tigers.