Ole Miss players became eager to move on from the Lane Kiffin circus. But is a similar mood developing at LSU too? The high-profile coach’s entry hasn’t got off to a good start, as the roster loses yet name right after his arrival. The transfer portal has announced its presence in the very first week of Lane Kiffin donning LSU colors.

LSU made the hire of the season in Lane Kiffin. But the high-profile name hasn’t been enough to keep players from entering the portal. WR Jelani Watkins will be doing so, after being at Baton Rouge for 2 years. He will leave having caught only twice for 21 yards as an LSU WR, preferring a fresh start over the Lane Kiffin rebuild.

Watkins was a 4-star prospect for the Tigers, with some serious speed in him. He came to LSU as a dual sport athlete, and was part of the LSU track team as well. Watkins was named SEC Freshman of the Week this year in his 2 track meet. He clocked a brilliant 10.01 in the 100-meter category in his first meet. Even Garrett Nussmeier took note of the WR’s talent, extending some appreciation on social media. But Watkins hasn’t seen as good of a time on the gridiron.

Being buried down the depth chart, Watkins couldn’t get a lot of playing time. The WR was able to play in only 5 games in the past two years. His entire career stats were recorded in just one game (Southeastern Louisiana). He played in only 2 more games this season (Vanderbilt and Oklahoma).

The Lane Kiffin factor doesn’t seem to be enough for these players to continue at LSU. The program went into a limbo after firing Brian Kelly, and then pursuing the current HC.  Kiffin’s fast paced offense usually tends to involve a lot of players. Meanwhile, LSU football itself has become a major disappointment this season, losing the charm it had on players and recruits. Watkins follows another top-rated prospect to the transfer portal, who had also backed out right after Kiffin’s arrival.

LSU slowly losing homegrown talent from program

Jelani Watkins joins Kylan Billiot in the transfer portal. Billion was also a 4-star prospect, and was rated as the 4th best Louisiana prospect during his recruitment. But the WR found almost no opportunity to play, unlike Watkins. Billion played only one game with his teammate in his years at LSU. He is also a multisport athlete, and also has track and basketball experience from high school. Billiot scored more than 1000 points in basketball, and has a record of running 100 meters in 10.27 seconds.

LSU is losing two native recruits in Billiot and Watkins, which should be an alarming development. CB Ashton Stamps, another local, will also enter the portal. The 2026 class lost Darryus McKinley to Ohio State during the peak of the Lane Kiffin-LSU rumors. After Brian Kelly was fired, the program surprisingly held on quite well, until DeAnthony Lafayette decommitted from the program.

While Brian Kelly wasn’t exactly an overwhelming favorite, Lane Kiffin is yet to work his magic at LSU. Jelani Watkins and Kylan Billiot, however, are seem too interested in becoming a part of this new experiment. The new HC will get easy access to some of the best talent in the country, but not all of them might be coming his way at the end. Will LSU’s $91 million gamble in Lane Kiffin pay off?