LSU Football Surging for Top Prospects in America Amid Lane Kiffin's Recruiting Push

Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are building momentum on the recruiting trail this offseason with a primary focus on building relationships within the 2027 Recruiting Cycle.

Once Kiffin was introduced as the new shot-caller in Baton Rouge, expectations quickly started rising for the program with the coaching staff beginning to recruit at an elite level.

“This place is built for championships with championship expectations. We understand that, but as an elite competitor, that’s exactly what you want, and that’s why we’re here,” Kiffin said at his introductory press conference.

"I know that we have, with the passion of LSU family and our LSU players, that we have everything to bring championship football back to LSU.

“It’s time for LSU to take its place back as the best program in all of college football. … I’m uniquely prepared at 50 years old for this job to have been so many places, done good things, made a lot of mistakes and made them really early on.”

LSU has been building momentum for targets on the recruiting scene with the Tigers landing on "top schools" lists for prospects along with new offers being dished out. What's the latest buzz?

LSU Tigers Football. — Courtesy of Jackson Williams on Instagram.

Jimmy Kalis: Top-25 OL in America

Pittsburgh (Penn.) Central Catholic four-star offensive lineman Jimmy Kalis has narrowed his focus to six schools with Kiffin and the LSU Tigers setting the pace in his recruitment.

Kalis checks in as the No. 16 rated offensive tackle in the 2027 Recruiting Cycle with programs across America battling for his commitment amid a pivotal offseason in his process.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pounder has earned offers from the likes of the LSU Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Texas Longhorns, among several others, but as contenders emerge, Kalis has trimmed his list.

The Pennsylvania native is down to the LSU Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes, Clemson Tigers, and Miami Hurricanes with multiple programs eyeing official visits this offseason.

NEWS: Four-Star OT Jimmy Kalis is down to 6 schools, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’8 280 OT from Pittsburgh, PA is ranked as the No. 16 OT in the ‘27 Class (per Rivals Industry)

Where Should He Go?https://t.co/7YX0hlBg7Y pic.twitter.com/9XBezMWBq6
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 12, 2026

Amare Patterson: Top-50 WR in America

Ridgeland (S.C.) Bluffton four-star wide receiver Amare Patterson received an offer from Kiffin and the LSU Tigers this week with the SEC powerhouse quickly piquing his interest.

Patterson checks in as a Top-50 wideout in America with Kiffin and the Bayou Bengals joining the race for the South Carolina native on Tuesday after extending a scholarship his way.

The 6-foot, 180-pounder has reeled in offers from the likes of the Georgia Bulldogs, Florida Gators, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Florida State Seminoles, among several others, across his time on the prep scene with LSU the latest to make things official.

Patterson's recruitment has taken off across the last handful of months with Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs building momentum after locking in an official visit with the fast-rising wide receiver for mid-May.

Bluffton (S.C.) WR Amare Patterson discusses his newest offer from #LSU, a program now high on his radar: https://t.co/anVvprVo48 @AmarePatterson
— Anna Adams (@AnnaH247) February 12, 2026

Taelyn Mayo: No. 13 CB in America

McKinney (Tex.) Lewisville four-star cornerback Taelyn Mayo has narrowed his focus to five schools with Kiffin and the LSU Tigers firmly in the race for the Lone Star State standout.

Mayo checks in as the No. 13 rated cornerback in the 2027 Recruiting Cycle with offers galore rolling in across his time on the prep scene over the years.

The 6-foot-3, 170-pounder has earned scholarships from the likes of the Texas Longhorns, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas A&M Aggies, USC Trojans, and Georgia Bulldogs, among several others.

But the coveted defensive back has now trimmed his list of over 20 scholarship offers to five with the LSU Tigers making the cut alongside the Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns, and Texas A&M Aggies.

More LSU News:

Elite LSU Football Running Back Impressing With Major Speed During Offseason Workouts

Kim Mulkey and LSU Women's Basketball Battling South Carolina for No. 3 Prospect

Every LSU Football Player That Received an Invitation to the 2026 NFL Combine

Join the Community:

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