Brian Kelly and LSU are downright dominating on the 2026 recruiting front currently. After a few wild weeks in the rankings, the Tigers’ quality is No. 1 nationally on On3’s Industry Rankings once more, recovering after falling behind USC briefly when the Trojans ran a gigantic commitment streak The big upset occurred when USC lost a five-star linebacker, Xavier Griffin, who decommitted from the Trojans, allowing LSU to slide right back into the No. 1 position with just nine commits. What’s so special about this class? For one, it’s full of blue-chip players. LSU’s got two five-stars: wide receiver Tristen Keys and defensive lineman Richard Anderson, a behemoth in-state presence. The Tigers are also stocking up at defensive back, adding a four-star CB out of Cal, but that side isn’t going well for the Tigers.

LSU fans have plenty to look forward to after the signing of four-star cornerback Havon Finney Jr., an enormous pickup for Brian Kelly’s class of 2026. Finney, once the No. 1 corner in the 2027 class, reclassified to the 2026 class this March and is currently ranked the No. 7 cornerback in the nation. What’s especially great is how much the Finney family has committed to LSU. His father, Havon Finney Sr., relayed that the DB coach Corey Raymond’s relationship was the deciding factor, explaining Raymond’s genuineness and his history working with NFL talent made LSU home.

The family did their homework, checking out other schools such as Arizona, Georgia, and Florida State, but the SEC’s standing and the personal ties at LSU clinched it. But this is where it gets really interesting: even following his commitment, Michigan has not abandoned ship. The Wolverines are still aggressively attempting to flip Finney before signing day. LSU scored a big get when Sierra Canyon’s top-rated cornerback, Havon Finney Jr., pledged to the Tigers. But Michigan? Not so fast. According to On3 sources, Michigan’s defensive backs coach, LaMar Morgan, and safety coach, Lionel Stokes, remain in the running, keeping Finney and his family under pressure. They traveled out to Sierra Canyon High School in California to look in on Finney.

Finney Jr.’s father, Havon Finney Sr., is well aware of the circumstances. He spoke with The Wolverine and said that Michigan is ‘not giving up’ and does respect their efforts. “Those are genuine coaches, and in this world, you don’t really get to see a lot of guys that are authentic. A lot of guys are pushing to make sure that they can keep a job, and I understand it. I totally do, but we’ve had some very, very off-football conversations, and it’s always just a good space to be in, what I’m talking with those guys, and that’s whether we ever play with Morgan or we don’t. He’s just a good guy,” explains Finney Sr.

Morgan and Stokes’ trip to Finney’s school wasn’t merely a casual phone call or a DM; that’s a cross-country trip to demonstrate just how committed Michigan is to flipping him. When Morgan and Stokes arrived at Sierra Canyon, it wasn’t merely about observing Finney play or shaking a few hands. They were there to make a statement—to Finney, his coaches, and everyone else who was paying attention. Michigan wants him, and they’re not afraid of saying so.

The atmosphere of the Finney family is one of being stuck with LSU at the moment. His father says, “He loves Michigan. He loves Coach Morgan. Just being honest with you, realistically, he was down to LSU, Michigan, and Ohio State. Those are his go-to schools. My wife talks about it now like, ‘Dang, Michigan would have been great.” But also being realistic. They realize how crazy recruiting can be, particularly for a player of Havon’s stature. The family appreciates the attention, and they’re not closing the door on hearing what Michigan has to offer, particularly because the Wolverines are making a good, respectful run. So, while LSU fans may be exhaling slightly for the moment, Michigan’s persistence—and their desire to show up in person—means that this recruitment is far from over.

Why LSU stole the show in Finney’s recruitment?

Finney Jr.’s pledge to LSU is one of those recruiting tales that gets the fans excited for all the right reasons. This Sierra Canyon High School kid from California is the real deal—a 6’2″ cornerback with legitimate length, athleticism, and that old ‘lockdown’ mindset you need in your secondary. What’s crazy is Finney was initially the premier corner in the 2027 class, but he reclassed to the 2026 class this spring and still came in as the No. 7-ranked cornerback in the nation.

Finney sealed his commitment on April 28, passing over some huge programs— USC, Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon—when he chose LSU. The news was also somewhat of a shock. He was only supposed to announce his top three options, but the Tigers were the clear choice, so he committed live and even did it on his mom’s birthday to give it that little extra family touch. This wasn’t a whim. Finney and his family did their research, taking trips and considering their choices. But LSU’s reputation for developing top-notch defensive backs, combined with the relationship with corners coach Corey Raymond, clinched it.

On the field, Finney has been a game-changer since his first year in college, playing and starting each game for a top-30 national team. His sophomore line: thirty-seven tackles, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and two punt return touchdowns. He’s a three-phase player—offense, defense, and special teams—and his coaches sing his praises about his work ethic and leadership.