Do you believe in the phrase that money makes the world go round? It looks like Michigan’s not the only program playing with money. For better or worse, the emergence of the NIL system has drastically transformed college football, especially in the recruiting scene. Schools like Michigan and USC have the dough to pull the right upsets. And for the second time this season, Brian Kelly and LSU faced the ugly side of NIL money. 

The 2024 national signing day lifted some spirits and rendered heartbreaks to some. Brian Kelly saw his hopes fall when LSU’s highly pursued target 5-star DL Jahkeem Stewart signed with Lincoln Riley and USC. In a new YouTube episode on After Further Review: LSU on December 5, Matt Moscona disclosed the “NIL details” that made this decision possible. He said, “Southern Cal went to $2M per season for Jahkeem Stewart.” 

For the next five years, Jahkeem Stewart will have earned $10 million playing for Lincoln Riley. But most view this as a smart investment as Moscona viewed, “That is a program that is desperate for good news and was willing to do that. Had the resource to do that as well.” You see, Riley had been under pressure all season and finishing 6-6 doesn’t help his case. So, the best next step for him is to focus on the future and he’s doing a good job for the 2025 class. 

A satisfied Riley said after signing the nation’s No. 3 DL, “It was important. He’s one of the more talented defensive lineman that I’ve had a chance to be involved with recruiting. And it’s just, this is one of those things where everything about this just fits. We’re really glad he’s a Trojan.” With his commitment, the Trojans now have a recruitment class that ranks 17th in the nation with two 5-star commits, nine 4-stars, and 10 3-star players. Now can we boldly state that change is coming for USC? Also, how did LSU fare on signing day?

Brian Kelly puts together his finest class

Brian Kelly incurred several heartbreaks recruitment-wise. He lost elite targets like Bryce Underwood, Jahkeem Stewart, and Derek Meadows. But it’s not a total disaster because he got some good out of the flip drama too. LSU managed to stir up a late flip from Florida State’s commit Solomon Thomas who is the No. 2 IOL. 

As Kelly said, the 2025 recruiting class is the “finest class I have signed” despite the surprising disappointments. LSU signed 23 high school players on Wednesday which includes three 5-star blue chip commits – Solomon Thomas, CB DJ Pickett, and RB Harlem Berry. As per 247Sports’ 2025 recruiting rankings, the Tigers are No. 8 in the country. Can they haul in more prospects during the late signing period?