Kelly: LSU 'not in the market of buying players'

LSU head coach Brian Kelly has been open about his desire to add defensive talent via the transfer portal, but he won't use immediate financial compensation to lure players to his team.

"We were in the market in recruiting in the transfer portal, looking for defensive linemen," Kelly said, according to WAFB's 9 Jacques Doucet. "It hasn't fared very well, quite frankly. Because we're selling something a little differently and that is: We want to recruit, we want to engage, build relationships, develop, retain, and have success.

"We're not in the market of buying players. And unfortunately, right now, that's what some guys are looking for. They want to be bought."

Kelly's comments come at a time when NIL has become a larger factor in the recruitment of college athletes.

While Kelly explained that LSU has plenty of NIL opportunities, he listed the program's recent success in developing players for the NFL and being among the SEC's top contenders as selling points.

The Tigers produced three first-round picks during April's NFL draft in Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas. LSU also saw three defensive tackles, including Maason Smith and Jordan Jefferson, drafted over the weekend.

It's a feat that the LSU coach believes can be repeated. "But if you're just looking to get paid, you're looking in the wrong place," Kelly said.

Daniels, who joined LSU after spending his first three college seasons at Arizona State, thrived during his two campaigns with the Tigers. He produced one of the more prolific seasons in school history in 2023 by passing for 3,812 yards and rushing for another 1,134 along with 50 total TDs, which won him the Heisman Trophy.

Kelly has led the Tigers to back-to-back 10-win seasons since being named head coach in November 2021.