LSU, Lane Kiffin fend off SEC rivals for major recruiting win

With recruitment spearheaded by assistant head coach and running backs coach Kevin Smith, a former consensus All-American at UCF and member of several of Kiffin's staffs — including his last three at Ole Miss — Martin adds to an already impressive 2027 recruiting haul that's gained substantial steam in June.

LSU has two five-star commits, edge-rusher K.J. Green (ranked No. 6 nationally), who committed on June 7, and tight end Ahmad Hudson (No. 19), while Martin is one of eight four-stars to commit this cycle.

Keeping a prospect of his caliber in the state is a huge enough win, but adding Martin at the expense of two of the program's biggest rivals — not to mention the two teams Kiffin spurned when joining the Tigers — makes the commit even more significant for LSU.

It's also another massive pledge in the nearly month since Kiffin brought back former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron as a special assistant to recruiting and defense.

Also on Wednesday, edge Chris Whitehead, the fourth-ranked player nationally at his position and No. 1 in the state of Virginia, committed to play at LSU. That followed Segarra's commitment a day earlier, while linemen Terrance Smith and Amaziah Siale, athlete Markez Davis and running back Brennen Lacey have all committed since the start of June.

With so long until National Signing Day on Feb. 3, 2027, the Tigers still have work to do to ensure their commits remain on track to sign, but they've built a strong foundation heading into the heart of summer. And with the positive momentum, LSU might not be done making moves.