By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
LSU football coach Lane Kiffin was answering a question about the depth on his offensive line on Thursday when he threw in a comment that surely sounded like a tell.
“It’s a concern, and it’s something that’s high on our list of concerns right now,” Kiffin said of the offensive line. “So, we’ve got to continue to get guys better and improve, so we can be more confident with that.”
But then he added with a light laugh, “I guess, before yesterday, I would normally say, ‘Our team is our team. It’s what we’ve got.’ But that potentially changes yesterday.”
What Kiffin was referring to from “yesterday” was likely the temporary restraining order granted by 19th District Court Judge William Jorden of East Baton Rouge Parish on Wednesday to a large group college athletes across the country suing the NCAA to return to school for one more season. Jorden’s order stems from a previous ruling by Colorado judge Charlotte Sweeney that allows college athletes who signed in 2022 to have another season because of the NCAA’s recent new rule that gives players after 2022 five seasons in five years instead of four over five.
Among those players looking at another senior season in 2026 is one of the top offensive lineman in that group of players who began their career in 2022. That is former Brigham Young offensive guard Weylin Lapuaho (6-foot-4, 310 pounds). Lapuaho could return to BYU for another season, but Kiffin may be taking a shot at him since Lapuaho recently entered the transfer portal.
Lapuaho got brief looks with the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins over the summer, but is ready to go back to school. He started 13 games as a true freshman at Utah State in 2022 after signing out of Bingham High in South Jordan, Utah, as the No. 53 interior offensive lineman in the country by 247sports.com. Then he transferred to BYU and started the next three seasons and made All-Big 12.
Among the other players Kiffin is possibly considering to sign as a transfer included former LSU defensive end Jack Pyburn, who is still in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ training camp, and a trio of former Ole Miss players he coached last season. Those are tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who is now with the Cleveland Browns, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris, who was with the Saints before being cut two weeks ago, and safety Wydett Williams, who is with the Arizona Cardinals. All started for Kiffin last season at Ole Miss.
When asked about Jorden’s ruling earlier in the press conference, Kiffin didn’t sound as interested in new roster members.
“There’s a lot to that,” he said. “Fair question, but I’m not going to comment on any of it.”
When his offensive line depth came up, though, he changed that tune.
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