Always be 'crootin'. That is the name of the game when you are a coaching power broker in the sport. Whether you are Lane Kiffin, Mario Cristobal, or anyone close to that ilk, you have to have more good players than your opposition to regularly win conference and playoff games. It is why Kiffin should be worried about the chances of Cristobal being able to flip this five-star LSU commit in the offseason...
EJ Holland of On3/Rivals shared that LSU edge commit Jaiden Bryant will be at Miami this weekend.
Elite recruits arrived at Miami this morning, including LSU EDGE commit Jaiden Bryant (@jboog24_), the No. 14 overall prospect nationally. They will take in practice before the pool party.
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) April 4, 2026
Observations from my time on campus #GoCanes: https://t.co/3hnA0sUc2Y pic.twitter.com/MHe8EBE53k
According to the 247Sports Composite, Bryant is the No. 1 player from South Carolina, the No. 2 edge player in the country, and the No. 13 overall player nationally in the 2027 recruiting cycle. The Columbia native committed to LSU back on Jan. 3. Bryant currently has 23 official offers, including ones from Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas A&M, in addition to the LSU and Miami offers as well.
What are the chances that Cristobal is going to be able to flip this blue-chipper away from LSU?
Miami could potentially flip 5-star EDGE Jaiden Bryant away from LSU
This is significant for a handful of reasons. Not only is Bryant and out-of-state player for both schools in question, but his five-star rating should have everyone still somewhat in the mix to flip him chomping at the bit to get him. We now live in a world where a player's commitment is only as strong as their national letter of intent. Until Bryant puts pen to paper come December, nothing is official...
While Kiffin did guide a team to the playoff last year in Ole Miss, Cristobal got massive in-game experience in the postseason by taking Miami all the way to the national championship game. Kiffin, who bailed on Ole Miss because he did not believe he could ever lead the Rebels to the promised land, saw his former team come up one possession shy vs. Miami of playing in the national title bout.
Right now, Kiffin should undoubtedly be shaking in his boots because Bryant is on campus at a program with a stronger identity than his one at LSU. Cristobal may have a war chest worth of financial resources at his disposal to throw at players. He can, however, recruit using authenticity. He played at Miami, is from there, and knows what championship-caliber football looks like. Does Kiffin?
In the end, it may only be a visit for Bryant to Miami, but it does suggest that he has some interest.