Lane Kiffin successfully landed the nation’s No. 1 transfer portal class shortly after taking over as LSU’s head coach. He is now focused on carrying that momentum into the Tigers’ 2027 high school recruiting class, and the addition of Ed Orgeron is expected to strengthen the program’s recruiting potential in several ways.
Lane Kiffin Getting Help from Ed Orgeron in Pursuit of Louisiana’s No. 1 RB
LSU continues to aggressively pursue one of the top talents in the 2027 recruiting cycle, Louisiana’s No. 1 running back, Trey Martin. As Kiffin brought back Orgeron as a special assistant to recruiting and defense, Orgeron has already started making an impact on the recruiting trail.
Orgeron connected with Martin over FaceTime last week as LSU continues its push to land the in-state prospect. Martin is currently rated as a four-star recruit and ranks as the No. 10 running back nationally, while also sitting at No. 156 overall in the 2027 recruiting class, according to Rivals. Landing a player of his caliber would be a big addition for an LSU offense that struggled for consistency last season, finishing with a 76.1 score in the PFSN CFB Offense Impact metric, which ranked just No. 66 nationally.
LSU will have to push hard, as several big programs, including Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Auburn, are pursuing Martin. Rivals give the Crimson Tide the best odds of securing his commitment at 84.2% while Kiffin’s program has just 2.6% chance. However, as Orgeron is heavily involved in this recruitment, the Tigers might enjoy a growing momentum moving forward.
Orgeron has also been active in building relationships with several other elite LSU targets, including blue-chip defensive lineman Richard Anderson. As of now, the Tigers have five committed players in the 2027 class, including two five-star prospects like tight end Ahmad Hudson and EDGE Jaiden Bryant.
Meanwhile, LSU also received major roster news on Saturday, as quarterback Emile Picarella officially decided to leave the program, according to Matt Moscona. Picarella reportedly informed the coaching staff of his plans to transfer shortly after spring practices wrapped up.
“I’ve decided to move on from LSU,” Picarella said. “I’ll always appreciate my teammates, the old and new staff, and the opportunity I had there. I wish the program nothing but success.”
Picarella entered LSU as one of the top quarterback prospects in Louisiana’s 2025 recruiting class. He recorded promising production during his high school career, throwing for 2,300 yards and 34 touchdowns as a junior after passing for 2,160 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore.
As for Picarella’s debut season with LSU in 2025, he didn’t see action in any games last season and ultimately redshirted with the Tigers. His departure has now left a void at LSU filled with Kaden Martin, the son of the Tigers’ offensive analyst Tee Martin. LSU earlier signed three QBs in the 2026 portal class, including Sam Leavitt, Husan Longstreet, and Landen Clark.
