What's this, another curveball for LSU football? That's exactly what we have, as even more big news has come in for the program. Everyone is still focused about Brian Kelly getting fired, but if you needed further proof that kids commit to a school and not a coach, it has arrived.
LSU could be in danger of losing these 5 players with Brian Kelly gone
On Tuesday, breaking news came in that in-state wide receiver Kervin Johnson Jr. had committed to the Tigers. Originally, the speedster was Louisiana Tech-bound, but LSU brought him in for a surprise official visit this past weekend, offered him and he committed on the spot, per Tom Loy.
BREAKING: @LSUfootball has flipped class of 2026 receiver Kervin Johnson Jr. from Louisiana Tech.
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) October 27, 2025
He visited over the weekend, landed the offer, and wasted no time committing.
Story via @glenwest21 https://t.co/YQpDrgZdt9 @SonnyShipp247 @MikeRoach247 @JrKjkool @247Sports pic.twitter.com/kvQU72c34v
In-state WR Kervin Johnson Jr. has committed to LSU despite Brian Kelly getting fired
Normally when a school fires its head coach, the news that follows is a bunch of prospects backing off their pledges. That's not the case with LSU, as players are actually taking to social media to say that they're still locked in with the Tigers even if Kelly is leaving town.
This just goes to show what playing for LSU means to prospects. Yes, seeing Kelly get fired was probably a big concern for playmakers and their families, but it doesn't mean that the wheels are going to completely fall off for the Tigers and their 2026 recruiting class.
With Johnson now on board and with a seat at the table, LSU holds 17 known pledges for '26. The class is of course highlighted by 5-star commits Lamar Brown and Trenton Henderson. Brown took to social media to thank Kelly for being the first coach to offer him, but now LSU must do whatever it can to keep him in the fold.
As we mentioned above, no LSU commits have backed off their verbal and you've got to figure the staff still with a job are working overtime in that department. Kelly and Joe Sloan getting fired was head-turning, but it doesn't look like it's going to be catastrophic for the SEC power's recruiting efforts. Once a new hire is made too, even more guys could be ready to commit to LSU.