Brian Kelly believes local recruits have a passion to play for LSU

Brian Kelly has sworn by recruiting in-state talent since becoming LSU head coach before the 2022 season. He made true on that statement this cycle, signing nine of the top 11 recruits in Louisiana earlier this week.

The Tigers headman discussed why it’s important to maintain dominance over the in-state recruiting scene, and why those backyard recruits aren’t thinking twice about committing to Kelly’s program.

“I really do believe that there is a loyalty and a sense of growing up and wanting to play for LSU. I really believe there is that passion,” Kelly said on early signing day. “It’s not just LSU. Even when I was in the midwest at Cincinnati, there was a sense that they wanted to be a Buckeye. They wanted to play for Ohio State. I think that, geographically, this is one of the most passionate states about football. I think that’s clearly here in the state of Louisiana.

“Young boys grow up to be young men that want to play for LSU. I think that’s real. We recognize that. If they possess the traits from a football standpoint and from a character standpoint and an academic standpoint, darn right we’re going to recruit them.”

While Kelly wasn’t able to land Louisiana’s top recruit, five-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley, Kelly locked up the remaining two top-100 recruits in tight end Trey’Dez Green and safety Dashawn McBryde. Four-stars Tylen Singleton (LB), Gabriel Reliford (DL), Kylan Billiot (WR), Joel Rogers (S), Ju’Juan Johnson (CB) and Kolaj Cobbins (LB) all were in-state commits ranked inside On3’s top 300 recruits in the 2024 cycle.

Of course, wanting to recruit in-state helps in the sense that Louisiana has been always been a hot bed for college football talent.

“When we talk about recruiting and where our focus is, our focus is on the state of Louisiana,” Kelly said. “Our focus is on freshmen and it’s on a well-rounded student-athlete that recognizes the value of an LSU degree and wants to play for championships. That will be reflected in this class.”

Before these budding stars can get their LSU careers started, the Tigers are focused on preparing for the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day at Noon ET. LSU is a 10-point betting favorite heading into the matchup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, despite Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels opting out of the bowl game. ESPN2 will carry the national broadcast.