Brian Kelly on High Alert as 260lb LSU Target Drops Major Announcement Amid SEC’s Intense Battle

From consecutive 10-win seasons to drifting deep into the abyss of southeastern mediocrity. A storied program such as the LSU Tigers cannot afford blips like this. Amidst a season doomed from late October, the recruitment landscape has admittedly been at the forefront of the fans and HC Brian Kelly alike. Things seem to be clicking into gear in Baton Rouge after a rough early signing period. The Tigers have been wagging their tails, prancing through the offseason. LSU’s shortcomings in recruiting from the class of 2025 have largely been offset via the transfer portal. They’ve got one of the top-ranked portal classes across the country. But nearsightedness is a cardinal sin in this sport. Recruitment for ‘26 is already underway, and Coach Kelly’s taking things in stride. However, he faces some stiff competition in his pursuit of a certain D-lineman.

The football power dynamic continues to shift, spreading across the country and away from its historic southern stronghold. A school as far out as Oregon can now recruit and compete at the top level. That said, one thing will perpetually remain true. Texas is a steaming hotbed of athletic talent. The Lone Star State is a conveyor belt when it comes to producing footballers of the highest ilk. No wonder LSU and Brian Kelly are seeking to exploit it for themselves. 

They’ve identified JuCo athlete Demarcus Johnson as a potential adopter of the famous purple and gold. Johnson is the No. 3 overall player nationally on the JuCo level and the No. 2 defensive lineman. It makes sense why Brian Kelly has dipped his feet in that echelon. There’s merit to why Johnson is rated this high. The fact he’s a towering 6’8 while being 260 lb certainly factors into it. D-line coach Kevin Peoples extended a scholarship offer to Demarcus Johnson less than a fortnight ago. However, LSU’s path to landing him is far from linear. Johnson has just announced another blue-chip school is vying for his services at the line of scrimmage.

The beaches of southern California were transpiring into quicksand for USC Trojans’ HC Lincoln Riley. As hard as he tried to escape the hole he was sinking into, he seemed to get hauled further in. Then came a helping hand. A messiah to lift not only Riley but the mood around the entire Trojans program. USC has just onboarded a new GM in Chad Bowden. He comes over from arch-rivals and Natty finalist Notre Dame. At this current juncture, the USC program is a far cry from the Irish. But Bowden has already shown he’s a top recruiter who can awaken a sleeping giant. It’s not a coincidence that USC can currently boast of the No.1 recruiting class in the country for ‘26. A class they’re hoping to add Demarcus Johnson to.

A school on the Pacific coast, located in a city that’s probably the biggest sports market in the country. Meshed with an offensive whiz in Lincoln Riley and a recruiter like Chad Bowden. Attracting high-caliber recruits should theoretically be easy, and it’s finally clicking. The Trojans are making noise, and it’s reverberated over to Johnson. On March 21st, he announced news of an offer from USC over on X. D-line coach Eric Henderson, who’s won the Super Bowl in that very capacity with the Rams, is a magnetic pull. It’s also noteworthy that USC has just got a commitment from his Hutchinson Community College teammate, RB Waymond Jordan. Brian Kelly’s got his work cut out for him if he wants to lure Johnson away from the nation’s best class. Not only is he battling against a B1G school in USC, but also a pair of his SEC contemporaries.

Brian Kelly and LSU have got other Tigers, as well as Bulldogs, to contend with

A national champion at the JuCo level in 2024, Demarcus Johnson hails from Missouri City, Texas. Ironically, Missouri are one of the teams in the fray for his recruitment. Not a surprise, given he goes to school in Kansas only about 120 miles away. Mizzou has proven their prowess in developing linemen at a high clip. Brian Kelly’s Tigers from Baton Rouge will have to fend off Eliah Drinkwitz’s own Tigers from Columbia to add Johnson to their ranks. Mizzou extended their offer on March 12th, a mere day before LSU. Apart from USC, both schools will battle against a familiar foe who’s looking to escape SEC purgatory.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs—forever the bridesmaids, never quite the bride. They’ve been an afterthought in the conference for a while. More so since their big rivals, Ole Miss, have gained some prominence under Lane Kiffin. Alas, adding Demarcus Johnson won’t exactly tip the scales. But landing him ahead of this kind of competition could be a needle-mover that changes the perception of the program. Mississippi State offered Johnson on March 20th, according to his X feed.

Not that anybody needed reminding, but the Super Bowl reinforced an age-old cliche about sports. That football is and will continue to be won and lost in the trenches. Win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and you shall win the war. Conceded, Demarcus Johnson may not have an NFL upside. But at 6’8, 260, he can be a potential gamebreaker on the college football level. It remains to be seen where he’ll do so. Brian Kelly will hope it’s in Death Valley. Perhaps he can still ride the coattails of LSU’s legendary run before his arrival.