Looks like the fault is in Brian Kelly’s stars. Last season was all about the big Bryce Underwood snub after the 5-star quarterback flipped from the LSU Tigers to the Michigan Wolverines. Even though Kelly would have thought that they would make up for the loss in the 2026 class, he was mistaken. As per On3’s 2026 Industry Ranking football Team Recruiting Rankings, the Tigers are yet to make it to the Top 3.

Kelly’s LSU now stands at No.5 with a total of 12 recruits locked in so far. Already, June has been a tough month for them as they lost 4-star quarterback target Bryson Beaver, who committed to Oregon. Before that, their another quarterback target, Bowe Bentley, committed to Oklahoma. This time, it is Theodore (Ala.) 4-star LB JJ Bush, who closed his commitment on Wednesday, July 2, landing yet another snub for Kelly’s program. The young chap committed to Sam Pittman’s Arkansas Razorbacks. 

On July 2, 247Sports analyst Danny West further sprinkled some salt on Kelly’s wounds. He tweeted, “Arkansas DC Travis Williams makes it three straight classes with an out-of-state 4-star from the Southeaster, and all three were ranked as the 16th-best LBs in their respective classes.”

Even though the final race was between Cincinnati, LSU, and Missouri, Bush’s clear message sends more FOMO for Kelly: “This was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever had to make. I’ve got love for LSU, and I respect everyone over there, but in the end, I had to do what was best for me and my future — and that’s Arkansas.” The heartbreak is real for the LSU fam, folks.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Bush is rated as a three-star and is the 28th-best linebacker. Other than the rankings, his stats led Kelly to not waste time and jump into the Bush race. The Alabama native was quite productive as a junior, recording 69 tackles and six sacks, along with an interception. The young chap’s USP lies in his ability to play running back, too. In that position, he recorded 344 yards and six touchdowns. Kelly’s squad was in desperate need of a linebacker, and at the end of May, Bush announced that he would visit Baton Rouge on June 13. Maybe till the last minute, Kelly was living by the hope that the 4-star LB would board the Tigers’ wagon. 

LSU had the buzz for months. Arkansas had made a late push, and Bush paid a visit to Fayetteville during the June 20-22 weekend. But maybe it was not about the timing that mattered in the end. It was about who made him ‘feel at home.’ That’s where Kelly and Co. lost the race as the Razorbacks involved heavy-weight names like Travis Williams and Barry Odom to woo Bush. While July 2 was a tough day for Kelly, he got some good news, too.

What’s at stake for Brian Kelly? 

Hayes Fawcett posted, “BREAKING: Elite 2026 EDGE Trenton Henderson has Committed to LSU, he tells me for @rivals.ig .” The 5-star recruit Trenton Henderson chose to be part of Kelly’s squad and had shut the doors to his other suitors, the Texas Longhorns and Miami Hurricanes. Out of Pensacola (Florida) Catholic High School, Henderson is one of the most sought-after edge rushers in his recruiting class. Listed at 6-4, 225 pounds, he has indeed been a big catch for Kelly’s Tigers.

After all, his high school numbers say it all. Coming off a big-time junior campaign, Kelly’s latest commitment logged 58 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. 247’s director, Andrew Ivins, even compared Henderson to former Georgia edge Azeez Ojulari. “Took a major step forward between sophomore and junior seasons – evoking much more confidence and physicality. Future could very well be in an on-ball role as a two-point edge rusher in an 3-4 look, but is rather comfortable dropping into space and has the chase speed to make stops outside the hashes, which suggests that he could also trigger from an off-ball perch.” Even though the 2026 class starts to look like a tough nut to crack, will Kelly be there to witness it? 

Well, the seat is hot. Time for a reality check. As Gerald V Dixon dished out a wake-up call for Brian Kelly, “The last three coaches at LSU, have all won National Championships. Nick Saban, Les Miles, even Ed Orgeron.” So, the clock is ticking for Kelly. “LSU, this is a make-or-break year for Brian Kelly because he told us, ‘Judge me after three years into the program.’ After he dropped that fake Louisiana accent. But the reality is this is year four,” said George Wrighster. Kelly’s path to job security? Stop counting the ones that got away and start building with those who signed up for the Tigers’ camp.