4-star WR is no longer heading to LSU after Lane Kiffin's hiring

The recruiting landscape around the LSU Football program is already changing in the first few days of the Lane Kiffin era. LSU currently has the No. 12 recruiting class for 2026 according to 247Sports, and Kiffin is trying to flip recruits committed to other schools to move up in the rankings.

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But at the same time, some LSU commits are starting to jump ship. One of the most noteworthy names to decommit from LSU since Kiffin's hiring is 4-star WR Kenny Darby. Darby is a native of Bossier City, and has been committed to the Tigers since November 12, 2024.

4-star WR Kenny Darby decommits from LSU

It's not uncommon for committed players to jump ship when a new head coach is hired. Kiffin is expected to significantly overhaul LSU's offensive staff, which could lead to recruits who committed to the previous regime to look elsewhere. Darby originally committed to LSU with wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton as his primary recruiter. With Brian Kelly gone and Lane Kiffin taking over, Hankton's future at LSU is now in doubt, which has Darby testing the waters elsewhere.

What's interesting about Darby's decommitment is that he is an in-state product. LSU has proven time and time again that it can develop elite wide receiver talent, making it the No. 1 destination for the best high school receivers in the state. But it appears that a new coaching staff coming in was enough for the 4-star prospect to explore other options.

Darby is ranked by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 8 player in the state of Louisiana, and the No. 35 wide receiver in the country for the 2026 class. He originally chose LSU over other offers from the likes of Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Miami (FL), and Ole Miss. It will be interesting to see where he ends up after his decomittment from LSU on Tuesday.