Brian Kelly considers role helping LSU roster grieve Kyren Lacy death

Brian Kelly opened up on his role helping his players at LSU grieve the death of former wide receiver Kyren Lacy. Lacy was set to be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft after his final year with the Tigers.

Lacy died at the age of 24 by apparent suicide by gunshot wound. In a tragic situation, some players may be affected more than others due to prior relationships with Lacy.

Kelly wanted to make sure every player on his roster had the ability to grieve in the way they needed to. Not only that, Kelly made it known that resources right on campus were available to his team.

“I think everybody on our team has, in some way, had a relationship at different levels with Kyren,” Kelly said. “So, you know, everybody is going to deal with it differently. First, understanding that right? There’s not one way that you’re supposed to feel right? And then, you know, we lean heavily on our professional counseling department … having that resource here, you know, allows for them to seek out that one on one kind of conversation that some may need. 

“And like I said, there were different relationships that some were very, very close. Some didn’t know Kyren at all. But, you want to provide, you know, the opportunity for your players to have those resources, if in fact they do need them.”

Last season, Lacy put up 58 catches, 866 yards, nine touchdowns and 14.9 yards per catch. He finished his college career with 162 catches, 2,360 yards, 26 touchdowns and 14.3 yards per catch.

As a member of the Class of 2020, Lacy was a three-star recruit out of Thibodaux (La.) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 36 overall prospect in the state, the No. 166 wide receiver in the class and the No. 997 overall prospect in the class.

Lacy was involved in a car accident on December 17th, 2024 that led to charges of negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless driving. The accident killed one person later at the hospital and led to injuries for two others with him being alleged to have caused it before fleeing the scene.

With full cooperation, Lacy was later released on a bail of $151,000 back on January 12th. Matthew Ory, his attorney, shared a statement regarding Lacy’s innocence back in February.