Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers lose out on another elite player at a position of desperate need, continuing a pretty bad streak

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Aug 30, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin (right) talks with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia State Panthers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The LSU Tigers have been going after several offensive linemen in the 2027 recruiting class, and it’s just not going well after losing out on Kal'El Johnson.

The LSU Tigers missed on four-star offensive tackle Kal'El Johnson, a top-200 prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, and they lost him to a program most would consider a step below in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Johnson, out of Cincinnati, Ohio, committed to Georgia Tech over LSU, Ohio State, Indiana, North Carolina, Penn State, and Auburn. Johnson currently holds a 90.35 Rivals industry composite rating. He ranks as the No. 17 player at his position nationally and the No. 11 prospect in the state of Ohio.

The Tigers were his runner-up, and he took two visits to Baton Rouge before making his decision. He also took three visits to Ohio State, two to Georgia Tech, and one each to Indiana, Penn State, and Auburn.

BREAKING: Four-Star OT Kal'El Johnson has Committed to Georgia Tech, he tells me for @Rivals

The 6'8 325 OT chose the Yellow Jackets over LSU, North Carolina, Indiana, and Maryland

"The next chapter starts on The Flats"https://t.co/3bMi2GaaUQpic.twitter.com/QL8wID7QSZ

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 26, 2026

Georgia Tech won out over one of college football’s premier programs​


That a prospect of Johnson’s caliber chose Georgia Tech, a program on the rise but still building its brand, over LSU says something about what the Yellow Jackets are selling right now. LSU is one of the greatest programs this sport has ever seen, and losing a head-to-head battle with Georgia Tech on the offensive line recruiting trail is notable.

The Tigers still hold the No. 11 recruiting class in the country and the No. 5 class in the SEC. They have one five-star and nine four-star commitments. But the offensive line is where this one stings. LSU currently has one interior offensive lineman and one offensive tackle in the class, making Johnson a natural fit they could have used.

LSU still has options on the offensive line​


Coach Lane Kiffin will get that sorted out. He usually does when it comes to recruiting, and there’s no need to panic over one miss. LSU is looking at other offensive tackles in this class, including Miller Westerfield. However, there’s a chance they may not land him either.

Regardless, it’s still early in the 2027 cycle, and Kiffin has proven he can close on the trail. The Tigers have time to address the offensive tackle spot, and they will figure something out before this class is finished.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers lose out on another elite player at a position of desperate need, continuing a pretty bad streak

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

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