Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers Remain in Fierce Contention, Gearing Up for Final Recruiting Push Against Oklahoma Sooners in Crucial Battle
Brian Kelly has never been one to back down from a recruiting battle, and in 2025, the LSU head coach is once again locked in a high-stakes duel. This time, it’s with Oklahoma — a program that, like LSU, has championship aspirations and a coach determined to assert dominance on the recruiting trail. As the summer heats up and the recruiting calendar hits a critical stretch, Kelly and the Bayou Bengals remain firmly in the mix, poised to go head-to-head with Brent Venables and the Sooners for a number of elite prospects that could shape the future of both programs.
The rivalry between LSU and Oklahoma hasn’t traditionally carried the same intensity as SEC showdowns with Alabama or Florida, or the burgeoning LSU-Texas rivalry. But in the recruiting world, there’s no such thing as a quiet competition. With both schools eyeing a handful of the same blue-chip prospects — and often for the same positions — the tension is palpable. These are the battles that define coaching tenures and set the foundation for championship runs. And for Kelly, entering his third full recruiting cycle at LSU, winning these matchups is crucial for cementing the Tigers’ place atop the SEC.
Kelly’s arrival in Baton Rouge in late 2021 was met with raised eyebrows, but he’s since quieted most critics by restoring stability, discipline, and a methodical approach to program building. His first few classes were solid, if not spectacular. Now, as LSU gains more traction nationally, the 2026 class looms large as the one that could elevate the Tigers into perennial playoff contention — especially with the expanded 12-team field just around the corner.
Oklahoma, meanwhile, is adjusting to its own seismic shift. The Sooners are preparing for life in the SEC, where the recruiting stakes are higher and the margin for error is thinner. Brent Venables has retooled the program with a defense-first identity and an aggressive recruiting strategy, leaning into the program’s proud history while forging a grittier path forward. Like Kelly, he knows what’s at stake, and he isn’t backing down.
The convergence of LSU and Oklahoma in this recruiting cycle isn’t merely coincidental. The two programs are prioritizing several of the same elite targets, particularly in the trenches and the secondary. One key name that both staffs have made a priority is five-star defensive lineman Tyler Graves out of Dallas. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 290 pounds, Graves is as disruptive as they come, and he’s built for SEC warfare. While LSU was among the first to offer, Oklahoma has been relentless in its pursuit, using proximity and relationships to keep the Sooners in strong standing.
Sources close to Graves say he’s torn between the two programs, drawn to LSU’s tradition of defensive excellence and the appeal of Baton Rouge, but also enticed by Oklahoma’s trajectory and how he fits into Venables’ scheme. He’s taken multiple visits to both campuses, and with a decision expected in late July, the next two months will be crucial. For LSU, landing Graves would mark a statement win and affirm Kelly’s ability to beat SEC newcomers at their own game.
Another battleground prospect is wide receiver Jamari Benton, a top-100 talent out of Mississippi who recently trimmed his list to LSU, Oklahoma, and Georgia. While the Bulldogs are lurking, most insiders believe it’s a two-horse race between the Tigers and the Sooners. Benton is a classic LSU receiver — long, athletic, and explosive after the catch — but he’s also expressed admiration for Oklahoma’s quarterback situation and the potential for early playing time in Norman.
Kelly and his staff, particularly wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton, have made Benton a top priority. They’ve emphasized LSU’s track record of producing NFL receivers, from Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry to Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. The Tigers’ pitch is clear: come to Baton Rouge, and you’ll have every opportunity to follow in those footsteps. Oklahoma, however, isn’t letting up. They’ve matched LSU’s intensity and have built strong ties with Benton’s family, who are said to be impressed by the Sooners’ family-first culture.
The LSU-Oklahoma dynamic also extends into the quarterback room, where both schools have kept tabs on four-star signal-caller Chase Danvers from Arizona. While LSU already holds a commitment from another top QB, Danvers is considered insurance in case of decommitments or late-cycle movement. Oklahoma, on the other hand, is pushing for Danvers as a potential cornerstone, especially after missing out on a pair of earlier targets. Whether or not LSU goes all-in remains to be seen, but the mere presence of a battle at quarterback speaks to the layered competition unfolding between these two powerhouses.
Beyond individual battles, there’s a broader narrative playing out. LSU is trying to assert itself as the premier destination for southern talent — not just in Louisiana but across Texas, Mississippi, and Georgia. Oklahoma, meanwhile, is aggressively planting its flag in the same territory, bolstered by its SEC move and increased national exposure. The Sooners are no longer content to dominate the Midwest and Southwest; they want to be SEC contenders from Day 1, and that requires winning some key recruiting battles deep in SEC country.
Kelly understands this better than most. While he built his name at Notre Dame with national recruiting, he’s adjusted his strategy at LSU to fit the SEC footprint. The Tigers are more regional now, but no less ambitious. They still recruit nationally, but the focus has shifted to building relationships earlier and locking down local and regional talent before rivals like Oklahoma can make a late push.
This approach has yielded dividends already. LSU remains in strong position for several Louisiana prospects, including four-star linebacker Keon Richard from Baton Rouge and safety Jaden Fielder from New Orleans. Both are considered strong LSU leans, but Oklahoma’s staff has quietly been working the back channels, hoping to at least get official visits scheduled. If they can pull one of those prospects away, it would be a massive statement about the Sooners’ ability to compete in SEC country.
The margins in these recruiting battles are razor thin. A well-timed official visit, a personal connection with a position coach, or a highlight-reel performance at a summer camp can swing momentum quickly. Kelly and Venables both know this, and both staffs are pushing every angle to get an edge. For LSU, the emphasis has been on consistency, culture, and the program’s proven track record. For Oklahoma, it’s about new beginnings, opportunity, and a fresh identity in the SEC.
As the summer progresses and decisions start to roll in, the LSU-Oklahoma recruiting rivalry will only intensify. Both programs are poised to finish in the top 10 nationally — maybe even top 5 — and the final pieces of each class could come down to who wins these head-to-head battles. For LSU, it’s not just about rankings. It’s about keeping the best players close to home, defending their territory, and showing the rest of the SEC that Brian Kelly can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
There’s also a symbolic element at play. With Oklahoma joining the SEC, this recruiting cycle is one of the first true barometers of how the Sooners will fare in their new home. If they can wrestle a few key targets away from LSU, it sends a clear message. But if LSU holds the line and lands the majority of shared targets, it reinforces the idea that Kelly’s program remains among the conference’s elite — and that newcomers will have to earn their stripes the hard way.
Ultimately, what’s unfolding between LSU and Oklahoma this summer is more than just a few players choosing one hat over another. It’s a snapshot of two programs with intersecting paths and parallel ambitions. It’s about fit, future, and identity. And for Brian Kelly and the Bayou Bengals, it’s another test — one they seem ready to face with confidence, grit, and a recruiting board stacked with possibilities.
As August draws closer and the commitments begin to fly, don’t be surprised if LSU and Oklahoma are still trading punches. In the end, the winner won’t just walk away with top-tier talent — they’ll walk into the 2026 season with momentum, validation, and a clearer path to the top of college football’s ever-changing mountain.
