LSU’s Brian Kelly Learns the Hard Way as Bryce Underwood Dilemma Sparks Panic Over Another Elite Commit’s Actions

Brian Kelly must be sweating in Baton Rouge after missing the playoff for 3rd time straight since he arrived from South Bend. After a whirlwind season (9-4) where LSU’s Bryce Underwood heartbreak became the poster child for how NIL cash can flip loyalties faster than a pancake at Waffle House, Kelly’s got another potential fire to put out. 4-star wide receiver Kenny Darby, who declared his recruitment “shut down” and pledged loyalty to LSU, has fans side-eyeing every word like it’s straight cap. The Tigers’ fanbase? Let’s just say they’ve literally seen this before.

Darby’s commitment to LSU seemed solid at first glance. The Louisiana native was all about the “best in the boot” mantra, calling LSU his dream school. He hit the usual notes: state-of-the-art facilities, WRU legacy, and a coaching staff that’ll make you pro-ready. But the Bryce Underwood drama is fresh in everyone’s mind. Bryce, the No. 1 QB in the 2025 class, had LSU fans doing touchdown dances until Michigan dropped a $12 million NIL bombshell. The rest is history—Underwood flipped, and now every Tiger fan is bracing for déjà vu.

Kenny Darby ain’t Bryce Underwood, though—or so LSU hopes. The 6’1” wideout from Bossier City has been making noise as the No. 9 recruit in Louisiana. He’s got the talent, the hometown vibes, and, most importantly, the promise to stay loyal. But promises are as shaky as Bama’s secondary in the NIL era. The boy has offers from half the SEC (Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Bama, Missouri, Tennessee) and programs that can easily back up a Brinks truck if they want him bad enough. And let’s not pretend Darby doesn’t know it.

Kenny Darby had committed to Mississippi State, later he flipped his commitment to Georgia from 7th June until November 3rd. Then, 2 weeks later, committed to LSU Tigers. Brian Kelly and the Tigers are already walking on eggshells. Kenny’s “shut down recruitment” statement dropped on IG, and fans were quick to call BS. Nobody trusts verbal commitments anymore. Why? Because “shut down” means nothing when NIL money comes calling. Bryce Underwood’s Michigan flip proved that any top-tier recruit can and will dip for the right price.

The fans on IG ain’t buying Kenny Darby’s ‘shut down recruitment’ narrative

When Hayes Fawcett dropped Darby’s ‘I’m locked in with LSU’ post, the comment section exploded like it was a Saturday night in Death Valley.

Top Comment by aftershock1974

Secondly, i couldnt find anything in your article indicating this could turn into a Underwood incident. Im sure if...more

Share your take

Debate

The fans weren’t buying this false promise, “Nobody shuts it down anymore.” This fan kept it blunt. NIL is the name of the game now, and loyalty? That’s a thing of the past. Bryce Underwood showed everyone how fast commitment can change when the bag is big enough.

Another LSU fan kept it 100, “‘Shut down recruitment’ is like 50% irrelevant nowadays.” They’re not wrong. In today’s landscape, saying your recruitment is over is like claiming you’ll never eat fast food again—it’s only true until temptation hits. Ain’t gonna lie, you’d be a fool for letting the mill bag slip away like that without having second thoughts.

This user called it, “Don’t mean s–t till the papers are signed.” Harsh, but fair. Verbal commitments are just vibes until the pen hits the paper. Even then, the transfer portal is a thing. Players are having a slightly-above-good year and a fallout with offensive coordinators or staff, and the next thing, they are playing for their ops. If Darby’s not happy—or gets a better NIL offer—he could dip faster than a five-star WR can run a post route.

This fan recalled his heartbreak, “Bryce Underwood did the same thing, and look how that turned out.” This fan came ready with receipts. LSU thought Bryce was their guy, and he played along—until Michigan came knocking with their billionaire booster. Brian Kelly’s probably haunted by that flip, and fans are already feeling the same vibes with Darby.

The last fan said it straight, as it is, almost predicting the future, “Watch him flip to another school tomorrow.” The kid has a track record of flipping from one commitment to another. But can you blame or judge them? With NIL, the highest bidder usually wins, and programs like Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and a few other, these schools have very nice and diabolically wealthy alumni.

Look, end of the day, this ain’t about Darby—it’s about the state of college football. Money talks and NIL has made loyalty negotiable. LSU better hope their pitch—and their pockets—are enough to keep Darby in the boot. If not, Brian Kelly might find himself in another Bryce Underwood situation, and Tiger fans? They’ll be lighting up the internet again, ready to call for his head.