National Signing Day is like that great spin-off episode sandwiched between the canon in the soap opera that is CFB. This season’s episode was even better than usual. Lots of drama, lots of jubilation and naturally, lots of despair. At the focal point of the plot was NIL. Sadly for them, the LSU Tigers perhaps didn’t get the memo. Brian Kelly and co. had a perilous Signing Day. However, they’re making up for lost ground through the transfer portal.

You’d think they’ve discovered time travel down in Baton Rouge, the way folks are landing there out of a portal. LSU has acquired a plethora of talent. One unit they’ve particularly bolstered is their D-line, especially the pass rushers. Brian Kelly has brought in 3 of the top 20 edge rushers traversing the portal. His latest addition to this trifecta, Patrick Payton, is perhaps the crown jewel. After leaving FSU, Payton was ranked the no.1 EDGE in the portal and the no.2 player overall. One LSU insider is convinced he’s about to lock up a starting spot, which raises question marks about the publicly maligned recruitment of fellow EDGE Jack Pyburn.

In the aftermath of the Tigers landing 2022 ACC Defensive ROTY Patrick Payton, Matthew Musso took to the After Further Review:LSU YouTube channel to leverage his perspective. “[Payton] follows a trend that you’ve seen for LSU here in this portal, and that is starters,” he said. “Patrick Payton should be an immediate plug-and-play day 1 guy, when LSU goes up to Clemson on August 30, rushing off the edge for you.” Musso proceeded to speak about what elevates Payton over the other two players signed in his position.

“You love the [getting] of Jack Pyburn. You love to get Jamari Butler. Certainly got all the tools, right? Those guys certainly profile more as the ‘Big’ [defensive] end…Patrick Payton is the guy to come in and do what Blake Baker wants, and that is to wreak havoc off the edge.” said Musso. This creates a conundrum for Pyburn and, by extension, Brian Kelly. Those keeping tabs on Jack “Psycho” Pyburn’s exit from Florida would know this isn’t a welcome “problem of plenty”.

Pyburn burnt a lot of bridges on his way out of his in-state school in Florida. He even supported the Gators as a kid. His reasons for leaving were multifaceted. Soon after Jack Pyburn hit the portal, an alleged list of “demands” cropped up in the media. These demands entailed 3 main factors for Pyburn to remain a Gator. It was reported that Pyburn chose to exit after Florida refused to meet said demands. You’d assume LSU did adhere, which makes this a messy situation.

Patrick Payton’s arrival could cause friction between Brian Kelly and Jack Pyburn

It was reported that Pyburn’s demands included a cool $45,000 per month in NIL. This is the least of LSU’s problems right now. His more pressing demands were a guaranteed starting role and a guarantee to remain in the game on 3rd-downs. Pyburn himself has hinted at the last one being true. Despite being in the top 5 in starts at Florida last season, he was only 14th in snap count.

The reason for this is Billy Napier’s defensive schemes at Florida. They played a more cautious style. Pyburn often found himself in coverage rather than rushing the quarterback, which he deems are his primary “talents”. He didn’t feature much on 3rd downs since they wouldn’t go after the passer in those scenarios. Napier’s schemes were effective, so changing them to cater to Pyburn was perhaps unviable. This is why he joined LSU so that he can play in a more aggressive defense under Blake Baker and Brian Kelly.

With Patrick Payton coming in, Jack Pyburn may inadvertently rush the quarterback less. Musso’s comments hint at that being a real possibility. The cycle will begin again with one caveat. Pyburn is now in his final year of eligibility. He has explicitly stated that his reason for jumping ship was so that he could showcase his pass-rushing and increase his NFL draft stock. In all likelihood, this has already been ironed out between him and Brian Kelly, plus members of staff. However it is a potential hindrance for Pyburn’s goals.