Bossier City Star Kenny Darby Backs Off LSU Commitment Following Lane Kiffin Hire

It looked like The 318 was going to get to see Airline High School standout Kenny Darby take his talents from Bossier City to LSU...until the coaching carousel started spinning out of control. The recent shakeup in the LSU football program has sent shockwaves through the recruiting world, and unfortunately, it has impacted one of Bossier City’s very best.

Kenny Darby has officially announced that he is decommitting from the LSU Tigers and reopening his recruitment. This news comes right on the heels of the massive announcement that Lane Kiffin is taking over as the new Head Coach for the Tigers Football program, proving that big changes often come with some growing pains for the roster.

Darby Is One Of The Best Recruits In Louisiana

It is no secret that Airline High School has been producing some incredible talent lately, and Darby is right at the top of that list. He is rated as a four-star prospect and is widely considered one of the top wide receivers not just in the state of Louisiana, but in the entire country.

His initial commitment to LSU felt like a perfect fit for everyone involved, keeping a homegrown talent in-state to help rebuild the program under former Coach Brian Kelly. Local fans were already buying into the idea of seeing a Bossier City product catching touchdowns in Death Valley on Saturday nights. It felt like a lock that he would be the next great receiver to represent the Ark-La-Tex at the next level.

The Lane Kiffin Shakeup Begins At LSU

But college football is a business, and the hiring of Lane Kiffin has completely reset the board for the Tigers. While the excitement around Kiffin coming to Baton Rouge is undeniable, the transition period often leads to uncertainty for players who committed to the previous staff. It appears that the lack of communication, or perhaps just the chaos of the transition, played a role in Darby deciding to look elsewhere for now.

Darby isn’t the only one making big moves following the coaching change...he is actually part of a wave of players who have decided to back off their pledges to the Tigers. Reports indicate that multiple recruits are rethinking their future with the program now that the leadership has shifted at the very top. It is a tough blow for LSU to lose a player of his caliber, especially one from their own backyard.

What Is Next For The Airline Star's Recruitment Journey?

The big question now is where this elite playmaker will land if it is not going to be LSU. Since he has officially reopened his recruitment, you have to imagine that every major program in the country is going to be blowing up his phone trying to get him on campus. He made it clear that he is thankful for the opportunity LSU gave him, but he has to do what is best for his future.

One of the most intriguing possibilities is Colorado, and Head Coach Deion Sanders. There are some hot rumors that the Buffs are very high on Darby, and playing under a Pro Football Hall of Fame member at a school that just produced a Heisman winner would be a solid backup plan.

While it stings to see him step away from the Tigers, Kenny Darby is likely going to be a star wherever he decides to sign. Whether he ends up at another SEC powerhouse or takes his talents across the country, Bossier City is going to be rooting for him.