TEAM MOOD METER / STAFF DOING WORK

by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

@LonnPhillips

TEAM MOOD METER:

-I've been informed by a source within the program that some of LSU's notable talents will be waiting and seeing how Kelly's first few months go until Spring before making a final decision...on whether to stay at LSU or transfer.

I can divulge names when things aren't toxic to do so.

Kelly has been rarely seen thus far by most members of the team, working long hours recruiting and putting the staff / roster for 2022 together.

Right now, the players are in daily contact and are overseen mostly by Head Trainer Jake Flint, WRs Coach Cortez Hankton and Recruiting Coordinator / RBs Coach Frank Wilson.

Some will be patient with LSU's transition, others won't...that is just the nature of what's going on.

The team are really taking a shine to Flint, Hankton and of course Uncle Frank, yet it's intriguing to note how quickly ingrained Hankton has become among LSU's program.

He attends weight lifting sessions, pumping up Tigers, getting to know everyone from Jack Bech to all the walk on Tigers, no one beneath him or under his radar.

Right now, the team are hard at work doing massive amounts of conditioning work with Coach Flint, which remains the primary focus until National Signing Day matters are attended to.

-Because of these future Spring exit fears, Kelly is loading the roster with every nook and cranny of experience, depth and premium talent he can locate, both on the recruiting trail and in the portal.

He's been working back channels, talking to old contacts, players recruited years ago...with relationships still valid, his new staff are looking to close on another wave of top tier players, following their 13 signing December with a 12 transfer January...now hoping to fill 7 more spots with the best available..

If Kelly's exact National Signing Day plans don't go through, he has offered a variety of new names since his arrival to offer options.

Jaelyn Davis-Robinson at corner, John Rutledge out wide, Danny Lewis Jr (backing up the previous vacancy left by 2022's #1 TE Jake Johnson) are just a few names...hell, one could argue Penn St transfer and now current Tiger RB Noah Cain's presence was a preemptive strike in case of a potential miss on highly prized RB Trevonte Citizen.

However 2022 shakes out from here, the class have a strong foundation of loyal local talent who will form a strong nucleus for years to come; anyone else is a cherry on top.

The Staff have hit the ground running for 2023 as well:

Making contact with 2023's #1 TE Shelton Sampson Jr, offering RB Kaleb Jackson, and just look at the work DL Coach Jamar Cain has done on the trail, offering strong gems such as 2023's #1 DL Samuel M'Pemba. Or what about Joe Sloan and Brian Polian hitting the ground running with 2023's #1 overall defender Tackett Curtis.

-Carter Sheridan, as of now unless he takes another job, will be retained on staff as an Offensive Analyst, with a passing game emphasis. We told subscribers of his recruiting exploits in regards to Harold Perkins this past weekend, and we've been praising Sheridan since his LSU arrival back in early spring 2020.

-LSU's new Defensive Coordinator Matt House has already moved his family to Baton Rouge, and he will be following behind midweek after saying his goodbyes in Kansas City.

He participated in Harold Perkins' visit via a Zoom session, though House still had business to take care of...losing to Joey B's Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.

I am told House's arrival will be the final piece before proper team preparations can begin. Once LSU's full staff are all together and present, the football work can get underway, with House already set on a variety of decisions.

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

@LonnPhillips

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