Brian Kelly talks scholarship breakdown, plan to build roster

Brian Kelly has a lot of work to do to get LSU back into the spotlight. In a press conference, the new leader of the Tigers explained the scholarship breakdown for LSU, as well as his plans to build the program’s roster.

“On January 4th, we had 39 scholarship players. 39. As I said, on August 4th, when we report our first day, we’re going to get to 84. We might not get to 85, but we’re going to be at 84. So, we’ll get the roster back to where it needs to be in very short order,” explained Kelly. “You know, mid-years, as you know, we only took 17. Look, that is not how I will build a program here at LSU year-in and year-out. But we needed to address that gap that I just mentioned to you for us to get to 84. This isn’t Triple A — this is the SEC. So, you better have a full roster of really good football players when you show up. You can’t have 72 scholarship players. Or the guys running down on the field, they’re not going to be SEC players.

“So, we had to address it. We did. We’ve got, within there, a number of guys — ten, in particular, that are from the state of Louisiana — that are either high school or mid-year transfer that love the state. That wanted to play here, that are coming back to play here. So there had to be a tie, and that tie is real. And we’re excited about that.”

As you can see, Brian Kelly has a plan to return LSU to the heights they’re accustomed to reaching. Now, he has to execute, and prove he’s the right man for the job.

Brian Kelly looking to improve LSU roster

Last season was a frustrating one for LSU. The Tigers began the season 3-1, beating Mississippi State to open SEC play. Then, LSU lost five out of its next six games, falling to 4-6 on the season. After two wins to wrap up the regular season, LSU gained bowl eligibility — finishing 6-6 and 3-5 against SEC opponents.

The Tigers played in the Texas Bowl against Kansas State. There, LSU’s roster was extremely depleted due to injuries, opt-outs, and other absences. The Wildcats defeated the Tigers handlily, 42-20.

Next season, Brian Kelly hopes to see growth throughout his new LSU roster throughout his first season with the Tigers. They open play next season on Sunday, Sep. 4 against Florida State, as part of a four-game home-stand. LSU will then host Southern, Mississippi State, and New Mexico over the following three weeks.