Lane Kiffin’s LSU Football is ONLY GETTING BETTER

We will talk about it all here with our guy, Zach Nagy from Go247. Zach, good morning. Thank you for joining us. Good morning, y'all. A little under the weather, so if I sound a little off, that's why. But I feel like there's no better time to be under the weather than a bye week. Great call. We're chilling. We're chilling. You scheduled it out well. Good job. I know your body has learned throughout the years that this is a bye week because it's what it's always been. So now you're just like, time to get sick. Yeah, no lie, no lie. And shout-out to David Billiott. If that's who sent that super chat, shout-out to David Billiott, man. He's doing really good work, and I'm really proud of him. Yeah, no, shout-out. We appreciate you. Yes, we appreciate you getting in here, hanging out with us this morning. We'll start with there was a report yesterday from Matt Zenitz about Witt Weeks and where he is currently at. Your thoughts on Witt's recovery process and maybe a timeline moving forward. Yeah, I think, you know, once he got injured, that target date was always going to try to be that Alabama game. Yeah, I think we all know the stakes are high for that one. Go on. Just going to be a ridiculous atmosphere in Death Valley. We know that. Do I think it's still a little... Far-fetched, maybe a little bit. I think getting back for that game would be rough. But you're talking about a player who's given his all to LSU. I mean, put his heart and soul into the purple and gold. So I think even if he's 80%, he's going to try to give it a go. And I think it's worth it. You know, to get his presence back out there on the field is massive. Do I think from a health standpoint it's far-fetched? Yes. But do I think a little, you know, shot in the ankle or something like that can help him get from maybe 70% to 80%? I do. I'm not trying to contradict myself there. I think it's going to be hard to get out there for Alabama. But I think if anybody's willing to, you know... Put the pain out there and do it. It's going to be Witt Weeks. I'm really excited to see if he gets back out on the practice field first next week and then see if he can ramp things up to be ready for Saturday because that's a quick turnaround time, man. There is a ramp-up period from when you're injured to when you get back out on the field for an in-game situation. Excited to see how Witt Weeks handles it, but no better player than I'd want to see get out there. He's the epitome of a Tiger. Just really excited to see him get back out there. We all love number seven. Do you think he plays harder now that he's single? Dude, what a good, yeah, what a great freaking question. Hell yeah, I think, I mean, dude, right? Like, I feel like you have more time on your hands. I can't say what I really want to say, Lloyd, but yeah, I'm going to say yeah. Yeah, for sure. Roll that jersey up one more inch. Yeah, right? Right? These are ridiculous. I think I'll just stop. LSU went into Jordan-Hare this past weekend and got a huge win over Auburn, who had just taken down Georgia. And it felt like they checked a couple of boxes in that victory over the Tigers. What were some of your key takeaways in that win for LSU? Yeah, dude, I think first things first, like, shout-out Jordan-Hare Stadium. I thought it was an awesome venue. They really packed it out for an 11 a.m. game, and the fans were rocking. I thought it was awesome out there, and it's a really good stadium in general. But game-wise, obviously, LSU checked a lot of boxes, like you said, Noah. I mean, first of all, offensively, Sam Leavitt just continues to ascend. And I've said this time and time again with you guys, like, even if it's not linear progression, there's still progression. And for me, that's what's been really impressive. The decision-making has been on point. Yeah, he got away with a really bad throw early on somewhat. But to bounce back from that and continue to be on point has been awesome. So no turnovers over the last two games, 75%, 76% completion, almost double-digit touchdowns. He's been on point. So I've loved what I've seen from Sam Levitt. He checked the box there. When you look at Trey Desgris getting back out on the field, he was effective. Checked the box there. Other side of the ball. You know, you created Havoc with seven sacks. Check the box there. And then your secondary was on point. I think DJ Pickett's starting to play some of his best football. So, yeah, I think this team is really hitting their stride at the right time. And Lane Kiffin has said this time and time again, that with such a portal-heavy team, it was going to take time to gel, and he always thought they'd play their best football down the stretch of the season. I think we're starting to see that. So, a really big win for the program, and nice to go into the open day with back-to-back SEC wins. And when you look at the current state of this team, Lane Kiffin spoke a little bit yesterday and he brought up the fact that LSU and Alabama is going to be a 2:30 kick. What was your reaction when you saw that it was going to get played at 2:30? And do you think that affects the LSU fan base at all? Well, yeah, this is a setup. Like, I hate that ----. Like, who doesn't hate that? Agreed. What is it, like 2010, the last time that the game was in Baton Rouge and it wasn't a night game? Yep. I thought I read that somewhere. I could be wrong. Shout out to DeAngelo Peterson. That's when he ran the reverse with Les Miles. Yeah, right? Like, this is horrible. I hate that it's a day game. Do I think the LSU fan base is going to show up? Absolutely. Yeah. I mean, this is a massive game at high stakes. You know, it's going to be one of those ones where I think Lane Kiffin's debut was awesome, but the rain kind of messed it over a little bit. Now, I think you'll have the stadium rocking. Everybody will be ready to go without, hopefully, a weather delay. Knock on wood. I've been excited about it. I hate it being a day game, but at the end of the day, it's a top 25 matchup in Death Valley with a high-stakes clash getting closer. Excited about it, but hate that it's a day game, man. Don't like that. Don't like that. How nice has it been over the last two Saturdays of LSU football? You have a 31-0 win over Mississippi State, a 38-17 somewhat boring win over Auburn where there's not really excitement or issues, and the rest of the country seems to be losing their minds. Well, it's awesome, and again, not to contradict myself, they have been 11 a.m. games, so I've had the rest of the day to kind of just sit back, relax, and watch the chaos. Hate the Alabama game being at 2.30. I will reiterate that one more time, but, you know, having 11 a.m. games for those others, too, and being able to enjoy the games, watch the chaos, and not get home at 1 a.m., 2 a.m. has been really nice. So the on-field product has been fantastic. They've handled business, like you said right there. It's a lot of chaos right now in the SEC. I mean, the parity is incredible. And this will be a year where you see a 9-3 team make the college football playoff. And, I mean, could it be multiple? In my opinion, yeah. I think when you look at the resumes and you compare the strength of schedule and strength of record, it would be hard to not put in, you know, a 9-3 SEC team. But it's been awesome to watch, man. I know Lane Kiffin's passionate about the 9-game SEC schedule. He hates it. He always gets a jab in. I think every press conference since the season started, and for good reason. It's ridiculous. So it's cool from a fan-based perspective to see so many different games and so many different upsets. But, you know, when it comes to postseason goals, it impacts that in a big way. That's why we're seeing a 12-team playoff. But it's been fun to watch nonetheless. And when you look at the tenure up to this point, Lane said on Saturday after the game, he was like, when we have all of our guys and we're healthy and we don't make mistakes, we're a pretty good team. Does it feel like to you, you know, there's a lot of conversation about who LSU is right now. The narrative has started to shift. You know, a lot of, you got one side of people are saying they're the scariest team, they're the team I don't want to play, getting hot at the right time. And then the other side is. They haven't played anybody yet, all their competitions in front of them and all these things. You know, maybe both things are true. Where are you at on this LSU program right now going into this month of November? Yeah, man, I think they're just a couple plays away from truthfully being 6-0. And we know they're a couple plays away from being, you know, 7-1 or whatever it is when you look at the Kentucky game. I mean, so many missed opportunities. And Lane Kiffin's hit on that a number of times. It's an objective take. So, you know, they're a couple plays away from being number one in the SEC. And when you look at the big picture thoughts and the long-term trajectory, it's hard to not be bullish on what this team can do moving forward. Man, if you get Whit Weeks back for the Bama game, and even if he's 80%, just to have him back in the locker room, in the huddle, on the field is massive. You're watching Sam Leavitt ascend. You're watching, you know, this pass rush create havoc. It's hard to not be bullish on this team moving forward. So I'm really high on where they're at. I think they're really hitting their stride. Jackson Harris has emerged as one of, if not the top wide receivers in the SEC. I mean, the numbers that he's putting up are video game-like, Like, especially... against Auburn. So I love where the program's at, and I love Lane Kiffin's aggression. We saw it a little bit more against Auburn. I think Lloyd was talking about it before I got on where, you know, does he feel pressured to maybe go for it on fourth down every time? Probably. I think I heard that right. I could be wrong. Oh, no, you're all over it. Yeah, so nonetheless, man, I think I love, not I think, I know, I love where this team's at right now. And I think Lane Kiffin's putting a really good game plan together. Charlie Weiss and Blake Baker are putting game plans together, and they're executing it really well. Loving the progression of Sam Levitt. And if he stays on this pace, shoot, pardon me, I almost hope he doesn't just because I want him back next year now, but that's for selfish reasons. But obviously from an LSU perspective, you want to see him continue to ascend and obviously lead this team to the promised land. That's the CFP and further. Yeah, and it's funny that you mentioned Sam Leavitt and the way that he's playing because you want him to continue. It's been fun to watch him play well and get better and understand all the things. But then there's like, well, don't play too good because I want to see you play for LSU next year. But if he doesn't keep playing like this, you'd be like, fine, you go to the NFL. I don't care. But it's kind of all results-based as to what he does. But I say all that to say, if you could pick one person as your biggest surprise of the season on the LSU football team, and if you want to go one on both sides, I'm not going to let you do it. It's a great question. I mean, I hate to be basic and say who everybody says, and it's Dylan Jones. I hate to say that because he was awesome during spring ball. He was great during fall ball, and you kind of expected him to be impactful. But, man, I didn't think he'd be this impactful. And I don't think I expected him to be this impactful in the passing game as well on those little swing passes from Sam Leavitt. And when your offensive line isn't playing too well, you've got to get the ball out quick. And getting it out quick means... You know, dumping it off to your running back, where he's turned it upfield and been extremely impactful. So, man, I hate to say it, but Lloyd, probably Dylan Jones. He's been so awesome this year. If I could pick one on both sides, I'd say Prince with him, I'm yelling because he's been so damn great, or Deuce Gerald. But I'm not. I'll roll with one. And I'll say Dylan Jones is probably my pick. He's been fantastic, man. Because I think a lot of people would would have picked Dylan Jones the entire time. Like, up to this point now, I feel like the pendulum has swung to, like, oh, well, Jackson Harris. Yeah. Jackson Harris has been one hell of a football player. He is unbelievable, and you're right. If I wasn't looking at the full body of work, I'm looking at the full body of work here. That's why I say Dylan Jones. But if I was looking at these last five weeks, it's Jackson Harris, no doubt. I mean, he's been incredible. Like I said, video game numbers earlier, what he's doing, and you needed somebody to emerge as that wide receiver one. You had not seen that over the first couple of weeks, and now it's there. I mean, Jackson Harris has been that dude for you. We were talking about Sam Leavitt a second ago as a player where selfishly you don't want to see them play even better because you want them back next year, but at the end of the day, you want to see LSU players succeed and go to the NFL. Jackson Harris is a player who has another year of eligibility, and we'd love to see him come back, but he might be playing his way out of an LSU uniform if that makes sense. So Jackson Harris has been one hell of a football player. I hope he continues on the ascension because LSU is going to need him for sure. 100%. And it's been interesting with this being the bye week. You know, a lot of people have kind of, I guess, shifted their focus just for this week with there not being a game on Saturday that takes up all of your time. You start thinking about, you know, the roster and eligibility and the way they build it. And, you know, LSU coaches have been out recruiting, all of those things. From a program standpoint, not just the football side of it, but the roster building, we obviously know the job they did in the portal last year, but what they are setting up to do this coming offseason, what are your expectations for LSU building into 2027? Yeah, I have a lot of respect. I have a lot of respect for Billy Glasscock. I think he's one of the best GMs in the game. And the roster construction that he's done has been awesome. And he knows how to spend his money. He runs it like an NFL organization and, you know, budgets things out positionally and trusts his evaluations. And the whole staff trusts their evaluations too, right? You know, it's not just Billy Glasscock, but, you know, he's a massive piece of it. So I think they kicked ass in the first window last year. And now year two, I expect the same. From a resource perspective, LSU has what they need to put together a strong roster, and I have high expectations for what they're going to do in the portal. I'll leave it at that, especially after maybe not getting a player or two in the 2027 class that they wanted. I think that you can push a lot of those resources into the portal, and I think you're going to get a lot of really good pass catchers is what I'll say there, if not the best pass catchers in the portal. And moving forward, the offensive line is going to be a priority. linebacker, and then maybe an edge rusher or two. So I have really high expectations for what they're going to do in the portal, Noah. And I'll tell you what, I'm excited about what they're going to do offensively because I think there are some major moves that are about to be made there. And on the other side of roster building, high school recruiting, obviously you bring up missing on some guys, a guy like Easton Royal who flips to Florida and closes down his recruitment. They have Brennan Lacey who backed off of his commitment, the running back. What should LSU fans be expecting next from this program and from a high school recruiting standpoint? The class that they, of course, already have together, but what should they be keeping their eye on moving forward? Yeah, actually, last weekend before the Auburn game, I had the chance to go up to Atlanta and catch up with K.J. Green and, you know, his family and watch him play. And I think first things first, be excited about a guy like K.J. Green, a five-star edge rusher who is a top five player in America that LSU is getting. And he's an absolute beast. I mean, he was a man amongst boys watching him last Friday. So I really love that. And then moving forward, you know, you want to see a guy like Ahmad Hudson try to shut things down. Nebraska keeps pushing, and we caught up with him this week. And we'll see how that potentially kind of transpires moving forward. LSU feels good about where they're at, but Nebraska is going to keep swinging, and we'll see how that one unfolds. Two players that I'm keeping tabs on, I wrote about it yesterday, but I'll say it here. You know, Jade Miles, a running back out of Baton Rouge, a Florida State commit, caught up with him last week. He is a player that's coming in on an official visit on November 14th for the Texas game, and he's excited about it. LSU is pushing for him, and he's a hometown kid. I feel like he's been on the prep scene forever. You know, he's just been such a highly touted recruit for so many years now. And I can't believe it's a senior campaign now. But LSU's swinging for him. LSU wants him. And like you alluded to, Brennan Lacey being out of the class frees up a spot there. So he's a player that they're really pushing for, that being Jade Miles. Another flip target that I'm watching in the 2027 class is a three-star linebacker out of North Carolina. His name's Keelan Shelton Jr. He's currently committed to Wake Forest. He will also be in town. On an official visit for the weekend of November 14th. I caught up with him, man. He's been a two-way player his whole career. But he's playing linebacker full-time right now. LSU's recruiting him as a linebacker. So those are two flip targets that I'm kind of watching right now. They'll be in town in November. And, you know, we'll see how they go. We'll see how those visits go. And if they check the boxes for them. That being LSU. And I think LSU's going to close out this 2027 cycle really well. And when you look at this LSU football program, you bring up Billy Glasscock, and there's a lot of conversation, especially now because we're in the season, of the scheme and the offensive mind and the defensive mind and the football side of it. But from a program building and a roster building standpoint, just how good is this LSU football staff and front office? Oh, it's elite. I mean, their evaluations are fantastic. And I know before I get too far on there that there's going to be a lot of people that say, well, there were a couple wide receiver misses from an evaluation perspective and maybe a couple misses on the O-line. But, you know, man, when you're looking at 40-plus players making their way to Baton Rouge through the portal in such a short time frame, by the way, like these guys didn't get to campus, that being the staff, until December. And then you had such a short turnaround time for the portal in January. So for them to go And get 40-plus guys through the portal is really hard. And for a good bit of them to hit has been really strong to see. But to your question, Noah, about the staff and how strong they are, their elite and their player evaluations have been fantastic. That dates back to a lot of their time being back at Ole Miss when they didn't have the resources that they have now and making the most of it. I like to say they were doing a lot with a little, and now they can do a lot with a lot. So I think their evaluations have always been on point. I think Lane Kiffin, Billy Glasscock, the top down, is fantastic. And I think LSU is in good hands for the foreseeable future. And I think we're going to see a lot of fireworks happen during this portal season in January. They have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. Well, Zach, we appreciate you always making some time for us. What should the LSU fans and the Tingle & Co. listeners be expecting from you over at Go247? Yeah, man, it's a bye week right now, so we're pumping out a lot of recruiting content. It's been a really good time. We have some stuff coming out right now on Four Star Edge, Chris Whitehead, and LSU Commit, shutting things down for LSU. He's locked in with the Tigers, it seems, at this stage. As well as some recruiting buzz on the site right now. And then gear it up for a big week next week, man. Alabama's going to be super fun. So a lot of stuff purple and gold related. We'll have basketball, women's basketball, too. Come check us out. And, man, I can't leave without saying subscribe to Tingle & Co., man. They're kicking ass. I was at Bally's on Tuesday night, and I did not get rinsed. I won, and I won in favor of Tingle & Co. So, what's up with Tingle & Co., man? They're a kick-ass. Great work, Zach. Somebody say, Bally's. That's it. We appreciate you. Bally's. We'll talk to you again soon. Awesome, fellas. I appreciate you guys. I'll talk to you later this afternoon, Budman. I'm producing again. See you at 1:30. Hell yeah. We'll Later, boys. Later. There he is, Zach Nagy from Go247. Shout-out to Bally's. Shout-out to Bally's taking care of the fellas. be I'm telling you, get over to Bally's. right back.