Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers are being rightfully praised for their 2026 recruiting/transfer portal class. The work doesn’t stop, though, as the 2027 class now comes into focus.
Kiffin has made his competitiveness on the recruiting trails known to Tigers fans quickly. It’s clear that he will be aggressive in bringing in the best talent possible.
Brad Shepard of Bleacher Report recently released his ranking of the top 25 players in the 2027 recruiting class, and LSU is in the conversation for a couple of them:
No. 15 - IOL Albert Simien
Simien is one of the top uncommitted players in Louisiana, and that could change soon. The Alabama Crimson Tide, Nebraska Cornhuskers and Texas A&M Aggies were the favorites for a long time, but Lane Kiffin has the Tigers back into the conversation.
The Lake Charles native is the highest-ranked interior offensive lineman in these Bleacher Report rankings. He would be someone who could contribute right away as Kiffin and his staff try to fix the LSU offensive line that has been an issue for a couple of seasons.
No. 9 - WR Easton Royal
Royal is already committed to the Texas Longhorns, but that means as little as ever now in the NIL era. He seems to be a target of Kiffin's, so the Tigers won't stop their pursuit until pen is put to paper.
LSU has rebuilt its wide receiver room this season with a bunch of transfers, but it must get back to securing the best talent that Louisiana has to offer. The top two Louisiana wide receivers in the 2026 class went to the Kentucky Wildcats and Washington Huskies, for example.
Royal is the top receiver in the 2027 class, so it makes sense that Kiffin is interested. He has blazing-fast speed with a 10.30-second 100-meter dash.
No. 2 - CB Joshua Dobson
Dobson seems to be the most likely player in this group for the Tigers to actually land.
Few coaches in the country have been better at recruiting their positions than Corey Raymond and cornerbacks. DJ Pickett and Havon Finney are two recent major out of state wins.
Dobson would be his highest rated recruit since Derek Stingley Jr.
The California native already has SEC-ready size and speed, and would have the benefit of being able to play a rotational role early, similar to Pickett this past season.
Not mentioned: TE Ahmad Hudson
Hudson wasn’t included in this list, but felt worthy to mention as many recruiting sites have him among the best in the country.
He is as sure of a hit as possible at tight end and LSU is one of the favorites to land him. Would be absurdly fun to watch how Kiffin would use him.