LSU flips a committed recruit the day after Brian Kelly is fired

Less than 24 hours after LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers reeled in a commitment – and pulled off a flip to do so.

Tioga High (La.) senior wide receiver Kervin Johnson Jr. made a visit to LSU for this past weekend’s game against Texas A&M, and he left Baton Rouge with an offer in hand.

On Monday, Johnson – who had been committed to Louisiana Tech since September – flipped his commitment to the Tigers.

Johnson gave his verbal commitment to LSU interim head coach Frank Wilson, who was tasked with steadying the roster and recruiting class until the season ends and the Tigers announce Kelly’s replacement.

Johnson jumped onto the LSU Football staff’s radar with his strong senior season at Tioga, and after getting one-on-one time with the Louisiana native over the weekend, the Tigers didn’t hesitate to extend him a verbal scholarship offer.

With Johnson now on board, the Tigers have 17 total verbal commitments for the current 2026 recruiting class.

Johnson is set to sign with LSU in December during the Early Signing Period. He’s the third commitment for LSU at the wide receiver position, joining two other Bayou State wide receivers in Destrehan 4-star Jabari Mack and Airline 4-star Kenny Darby.

LSU Football’s recruiting class is holding strong

(Rivals National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman contributed to this report)

Despite Kelly’s firing, there has been no mass exodus from LSU’s class thus far. A part of that can be attributed to its local flavor. In reacting to the news of the program’s new direction, a number of current LSU commits said it didn’t affect their commitments.

“I committed to Louisiana State University,” 4-star defensive lineman Deuce Geralds told Rivals. “While I had a good relationship with coach Kelly, I am a Tiger – as that’s where my roots come from. My family goes way back with interim coach Frank Wilson and I am still excited about being a leader of this class and at LSU.”

Added 4-star cornerback commit Dezyrian Ellis: “I mean I didn’t expect this when I committed, but there are several reasons that I committed to LSU so, no, this doesn’t change anything. I’m staying home. No other schools have been in contact and I’m sure they’re coming but I’m staying a Tiger.”

LSU currently has one commitment in the Class of 2027 from four-star quarterback Peyton Houston, who responded to the news on Twitter.

“The pride and tradition of the LSU Tigers won’t be entrusted to the weak nor the timid,” he wrote.