Brian Kelly responds to JT Lindsey situation, safety concerns

Last week, LSU running back JT Lindsey turned himself in to campus authorities on a warrant for accessory after the fact. Since then, he has also been suspended from the team. On Friday, head coach Brian Kelly declared the situation a cautionary tale about who young people allow to be around them.

Lindsey cooperated with authorities last week on two felony charges against him for accessory after the fact. A pair of individuals who were wanted for second-degree murder stayed with him in his dorm for nearly two weeks, with allegations that he “knowingly harbored and aided” them. The suspects were arrested at the Nicholson Gateway dorms on August 4th, with multiple guns later found inside the dormitory, per reporting by those at WAFB in Baton Rouge, as well as the player’s attorney in Kris Perret.

“Well, this is all about who’s in your circle, right?” Kelly said. “I’m not concerned about our university and its security, this is about who you give access to in your circle. Your circle of influence needs to be built on people you trust, people who know you and you know them. That circle really needs to be evaluated by some players and individuals. And it’s not just players, it’s anyone who can gain access to what you have, if you give that access to the wrong person, they can end up in places they shouldn’t be. So this is about individuals understanding, especially players today. They’re making revenue share money, which makes them targets. People want to ingratiate themselves with those making substantial money, so you’ve got to be careful. My point is, we’re in an age where you have to keep your circle very close. It should be family members or people who mentor you. Don’t widen that circle just because someone said nice things to you on Twitter. Buyer beware. That’s really the message to our team.”

Kelly was also asked about the response from parents to which he made sure it was clear that his concerns for his players and their safety remained at the top.

No, I haven’t, but I’m a parent, and I’m concerned about it,” Kelly said. “What prompts me isn’t other people’s opinions, it’s my own. I want to help educate these guys about who’s in their circle. You have to be very thoughtful about it. This is an area they haven’t had to be vigilant about before, but now they must be much more vigilant.”

Throughout fall camp, LSU players had been staying in hotels, off campus, to remain out of trouble and remain focused on the task at hand. LSU opens the season with Clemson on Aug. 30 on the road, looking to get the first season-opening win since 2019.