LSU safety signee Javien Toviano talks what factors led him to sign with the Tigers

Culture is the biggest word that Arlington (Texas) four-star safety Javien Toviano led him from his home state to LSU.

There’s the culture on the field with LSU being referred to as “DBU” thanks to its rich history of producing NFL-level defensive backs. The Louisiana culture and letting him step out of his comfort zone and try new things like Louisiana food also helped some.

Then there’s the new culture that LSU coach Brian Kelly and his staff brought to the team in their first season. With an SEC championship appearance in year one, Toviano said that he only sees the program going up starting with this year’s class.

“I love the coaches and the stuff they’re doing in year one so it makes me at ease with my decision,” Toviano told On3. “At the beginning of the year I remember it being questionable about what LSU could be. Then getting some big wins against Alabama, Arkansas and unbeaten at the time Ole Miss.

“Them playing in the SEC Championship in year one, it just shows the culture change under Coach Kelly and the buy-in from the players.”

While people were making fun of Kelly for the accent and the dancing he did after the hire, Toviano didn’t pay too much into it.

“I’m not really too much into the media so I saw at first and thought it was funny,” Toviano said. “When you really get to sit down with Coach Kelly, pick his brain and see what his philosophy is, I think that really changes your perspective on him as a coach and a person. He’s as good of a coach as anyone in college football right now.”

That high praise and new culture is something that Toviano says he sees leading the Tigers back to another national title in a few short years.

“What I see is a program that prioritized character, graduating champions on and off of the field and a team that’s going to win a national championship sometime in the next two-three years.”