With the news that Lane Kiffin is making the move from Ole Miss to LSU, this is the big fish that the Tigers need to get them back to the standard expected in Baton Rouge. People had been curious about who would replace Brian Kelly, but it took a few days to complete the formal termination process, and LSU appears to have found its replacement.
In college football, it is well known that when a coach leaves a team, players are left with a difficult decision. They need to decide if the school is everything they were sold on, and whether to stay at the school or follow the coach to his new destination, driven by the prospect of being under his guidance. Here are five players that I think will follow Lane Kiffin to LSU:
Caleb Cunningham, WR
Caleb Cunningham was ranked as the 39th-best player in the 2025 recruiting class, and Lane Kiffin brought him to Ole Miss. Cunningham is 6’2″ and has elite athleticism, and would be a top candidate to head to LSU in this situation.
He is still a freshman, so he didn’t see the field too much this year, but he has shown burst and elite upside that Kiffin would certainly not want to leave behind with a rival.
In addition to this, LSU has established a reputation as a top school for wide receivers to gain recognition and achieve continued success in the NFL. This is shown through the development of players like Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Brian Thomas Jr.
Kewan Lacy, RB
Kewan Lacy transferred to Oxford after a season in a reserve role at Missouri, and it has been a complete success.
Lacy was rated as the fifth-best running back in Division I with an 89.0 impact score, which earned him a B+ grade per our PFSN RB Impact rankings. Lacy rushed for 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, and would be an integral part of the offense at any school that he laces up for next season.
LSU may not be in the position to be looking for a coach if they had a back like Lacy, as their entire rushing attack ran for 1,275 yards and nine touchdowns this season, with Caden Durham leading the attack with 505 yards on the ground.
Princewill Umanmielen, EDGE
Nebraska transfer Princewill Umanmielen was a force for the Rebels this year, with 32 total tackles and 6.5 sacks on the year. The junior from Austin would likely be swayed into following Kiffin to LSU, as he will undoubtedly want to play for a national championship next season.
If he sees some of his team’s key players leaving, he may be inclined to follow suit. LSU would welcome him as their top rusher, who was previously Harold Perkins Jr., who had 4.5 sacks. Umanmielen will see that he had his best season under Kiffin and that this is a great match.
Austin Simmons, QB
Austin Simmons has been in the Kiffin offense as a backup for a pair of seasons now, so there is no doubt that he will be someone that he wants to bring with him.
MORE: Why the Lane Kiffin Drama Doesn’t Serve Ole Miss, College Football Well
There is no doubt that Kiffin will be able to attract top talent to the Tigers, as he was able to bring Jaxson Dart to Ole Miss and help him develop into a top talent. Whether Simmons becomes the starter or he is the backup to an impressive five-star talent, he is someone who will be an essential part of this LSU roster.
Will Echoles, DT
With the departure of senior defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory II, Will Echoles is an ideal fit to make the move from Oxford to Baton Rouge.
The sophomore played two years under Kiffin at Ole Miss and had a career year this year. He had 51 tackles and 4.5 sacks from the interior. LSU fans will remember him from his performance on September 27 vs LSU, when he was responsible for five tackles and a sack in a 24-19 win for the Rebels.
They will be happy to have Echoles on their side this time and see him take his development to the next level in Baton Rouge.