LSU's Kiffin Visits Top In-State OL Prospect

New LSU head coach Lane Kiffin makes a push to keep 5-star offensive lineman Albert Simien in Louisiana.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:07am

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LSU's new head coach Lane Kiffin and his staff have made a strong push to keep top 2027 offensive line prospect Albert Simien, a 5-star recruit from Lake Charles, Louisiana, in-state. Kiffin and offensive line coach Eric Wolford have both visited Simien at his high school in recent weeks as they look to fend off interest from schools like Alabama, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M.

Why it matters

Keeping elite in-state talent like Simien is crucial for Kiffin as he looks to rebuild LSU into a national powerhouse. The Tigers have struggled to hold onto top Louisiana prospects in recent years, so securing a commitment from Simien would be a major win for the new coaching staff.

The details

Simien, Rivals' top-ranked interior offensive line prospect in the 2027 class, was first offered by LSU's previous staff back in 2024. He has since developed into one of the nation's premier offensive line recruits, drawing interest from top programs across the country. Kiffin and his staff have made Simien a top priority, with Wolford visiting his high school last week and Kiffin stopping by for a basketball practice this week.

  • Simien was first offered by LSU in October 2024.
  • Kiffin and Wolford have visited Simien at his high school in Lake Charles, Louisiana in recent weeks.

The players

Lane Kiffin

The new head football coach at Louisiana State University (LSU).

Albert Simien

A 5-star offensive line prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, ranked as the top interior offensive lineman in the country by Rivals.

Eric Wolford

The offensive line coach on Kiffin's staff at LSU.

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What they’re saying

“I've talked to the new staff a few times now and I've gotten to know them a little bit — how they coach and what their personalities are like. The new staff has been pushing that I'm a high priority for them.”

— Albert Simien

What’s next

Simien is expected to visit Texas A&M for their junior day this weekend, though weather may affect those plans. Alabama, LSU, and Notre Dame are also pushing to get the 5-star recruit back on their campuses in the coming weeks as his recruitment heats up.

The takeaway

Keeping elite in-state talent is a top priority for new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin, and his aggressive pursuit of 5-star offensive lineman Albert Simien shows he is willing to make a strong push to land the state's top prospects and rebuild the Tigers into a national powerhouse.