Lane Kiffin has already led the LSU Football program through signifiant roster turnover in the early days of his tenure in Baton Rouge. Kiffin has brought in the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country, along with retaining top talent and signing 14 players during the Early Signing Period.
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While Kiffin has the LSU roster well-positioned for a College Football Playoff run in 2026, that doesn't mean he isn't still thinking about 2027 and beyond. As it stands, LSU's 2027 recruiting class features just two players: EDGE Jaiden Bryant and QB Peyton Houston. But Kiffin is looking to change that.
According to Rivals, 2027- 4-star WR Miguel Whitley has narrowed his focus to five schools, with Kiffin and the Tigers among his finalists. Other schools still in the hunt include the Ohio State Buckeyes, Tennessee Volunteers, Ole Miss Rebels, and Houston Cougars.
🚨NEWS🚨 Elite WR Miguel Whitley is down to Ohio State, LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Houston, he tells Rivals‼️
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 26, 2026
Whitley ranks No. 46 NATL. (No. 7 WR) in the 2027 Rivals300.
Read: https://t.co/wpdCKHIGa5 pic.twitter.com/LvUVEikHpo
LSU cracks the top-5 of 2027 4-star WR Miguel Whitley
As Kiffin looks to build LSU's 2027 recruiting class, it seems that Whitley is a top priority. Whitley is an in-state product hailing from St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, and getting him to Baton Rouge would be a major win for Kiffin.
The 6'0" 170-pound wideout totaled 46 catches for 869 yards and 14 touchdowns during his junior season, and is primed to an even bigger senior campaign in 2026.
Kiffin's former team, the Ole Miss Rebels, remain in the list of Whitley's finalists. Former LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson is known for his ability to recruit the New Orleans area, and he is now on Pete Golding's staff at Ole Miss. Wilson is sure to play a key role in Ole Miss' recruitment of Whitley, and Tiger fans are hoping letting Wilson go doesn't come back to bite.
With Sam Leavitt now leading the charge, LSU has plenty of receiving depth heading into 2026. Kiffin has brought in nine wide receivers through the portal: Jayce Brown (Kansas State), Winston Watkins (Ole Miss), Eugene Wilson III (Florida), Tre' Brown III (Old Dominion), Jackson Harris (Hawai'i), Malik Elzy (Illinois), Josh Jackson (McNeese), Tyree Holloway (West Florida), and Roman Mothershed (Troy). Getting Whitley on board for 2027 would be a great add for Kiffin and company.