“Going to match up to a million dollars.” Michigan Wolverines dropped right in, tickled the Tigers’ nose, and took away Brian Kelly’s QB future by throwing $10.5 million on the table. How the h-ll do you recover from that? You build your own NIL fun.

Brain Kelly dropped one of the best ideas back on December 14, which has turned LSU into a transfer portal powerhouse. “Kelly Family Million Dollar Match Fund.” Not only have Brian Kelly and his wife matched up and donated a million to LSU’s NIL, but have also managed to convince the finesse to donate sums ranging from $5 to $500 for the future of the team. You want a natty competitor? You gonna get it with LSU’s 2025 roster. But there is a twist to this massive win.

“‘If you do not go give we are not even remotely close to being a contender. You’re not. You’re losing too much.’ TJ within an eight-hour span, Brian Kelly goes to the podium damn near recites exactly what I had said the night before,” LSU Insider Blake Ruffino reveals on College Football Addiction. Every king needs a kingmaker, and Kelly got one in Ruffino. Not only has LSU managed to cross past the million mark, but they have also managed to snag in a lot more, which, in Kelly’s words, “put us (LSU) in a position where we can be aggressive on anyone.” 

Coming off of an 8-win run and also losing your QB1 Bryce Underwood to Michigan did light a fire in LSU’s heart. Because, as Kelly points out during an interview, it wasn’t just him and his wife doing all the work. “Our donors have stepped up,” LSU HC mentioned.

Now what does this all even mean for the future of Tigers football? Let’s get the bad out of the way. Garrett Nussmeier was abysmal. Take the Gators, Bama, or even the Aggies. The turnover curse for this guy was REAL. Threw 5 footballs right to the defense and then followed it up by getting sacked for loss for ELEVEN TIMES. All of this is in JUST 3 GAMES.

You cannot switch a QB right now, but you can make the receiver room better. Kelly is already losing Kyren Lacy to the draft and CJ Daniels to the portal. Lacy had a massive season with 58 catches covering 866 yards. And Daniels? He was one of the hidden impact players for LSU with 42 receptions. However, with the massive $9 million NIL budget, LSU has made some impressive portal moves to fix all the woes.

New era of football at LSU

“We can put together an SEC Championship roster.” LSU has snagged 13 different players from the portal. On the receiver front, they are Nic Anderson and Barion Brown. Both players have been rated No.5 and No.8 on the WR chart in the transfer portal.

Anderson is massive, as he already set the record at Oklahoma for touchdowns by a freshman. 10 in the 2023 season. He also grabbed the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week title twice. And Brown? 3 words: “Explosiveness, veteran presence, maturity.” 1500+ receiving yards during his 3-year run with the Kentucky Wildcats.

On the defense, Kelly now has access to Sydir Mitchell, Ja’Keem Jackson, Jimari Butler, Jack Pyburn, and more. A mix of SEC talent with some Big 10 underdogs. Finally, for QB, Kelly managed to snag Michael Van Buren from MS State. Buren went for 1886 yards this season with 11 touchdowns. He needs some work but could be a really good backup for Nussmeier.

We and LSU fans cannot wait to see what the Tigers achieve next year!!