Although the LSU football team had high hopes going into the spring transfer window to add several defensive tackles, it is more likely that they will only acquire Jay’Viar Suggs.
Since the program hosted almost a dozen defensive tackles on official visits and offered them a scholarship, they cannot be held accountable for not trying more.
Brian Kelly probably made the correct choices in how he approached the Spring transfer portal, even though he probably wishes LSU had done more this spring. LSU was “not in the market of buying players and unfortunately, right now, that’s what some guys are looking for,” Kelly said to WAFB-TV.
Kelly is alluding to the growing tendency of demands for transfers of specific NIL figures when she talks about buying players. The typical ranges for what each position was receiving in NIL deals were obtained by 24/7 Sports through sources, and the results clearly illustrate what Kelly is referring to.
A starting-caliber defensive lineman was expected to cost between $250,000 and $600,000, with certain defensive tackles reportedly fetching much higher prices. At the present asking prices, it’s easy to pass up the high impact defensive tackle that LSU hoped for, even though Brian Kelly would have loved to have him.
Because of the current college football scenario, which mandates that teams pay recruits annually, Kelly shouldn’t have spent so much money on a guy who will, at most, have an influence for one season. In particular, at defensive tackle, where he recently sent three players to the NFL where they signed $13 million contracts and received $3.3 million in signing bonuses, Brian Kelly ought to believe that he shouldn’t be required to pay players.
Now, Gio Paez and Jay’Viar Suggs, among other guys, who came to play for the proper reasons—to grow and possibly make an NFL roster—are in terrific positions. Bo Davis, who has coached in the NFL and sent many talented players to the league himself, will be the mentor for the two. His coaching background will be extremely beneficial to their growth. Rather than shelling out enormous sums of money for players who might make a difference, Brian Kelly is taking a chance on the potential of the new players and the incoming freshman to excel under Davis.
It’s Bo Davis’ turn to perform his magic now.
Bo Davis will now have to do what he does best, which is to help LSU’s football team develop its roster potential to the necessary level. This summer presents an opportunity for players who haven’t played at this level, such as Jay’Viar Suggs, Dominick McKinley, Shone Washington, and De’Myrion Johnson, to make an impression and earn starting positions. The LSU defense may have interior building stones for future seasons if Davis can elevate some of these younger players to the necessary level.