Lane Kiffin Pulls Off Epic Heist—Snags Former 5-Star Recruit in Jaw-Dropping Transfer Bombshell to LSU

New LSU head coach Lane Kiffin has landed a former five-star recruit. Standout edge rusher Jordan Ross is reportedly on his way to Baton Rouge.

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The former Tennessee star entered the transfer portal earlier this week. He has since committed to LSU and will play his former school as part of the Tigers roster in 2026, per On3’s Pete Nakos.

Kiffin has gotten to work straightaway following his controversial move at the end of 2025. And Ole Miss’s exit from the College Football Playoff will see him reunite with some of his old staff.

The Rebels lost a thriller to the Miami Hurricanes on Thursday. Carson Beck secured the result with a late scramble, sending the Canes to the national title game.

“With the Rebels’ season now over, the newly hired LSU staffers who were still working for Ole Miss will be able to put all of their focus on the Tigers,” On3 reports.“This includes offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. and running backs coach Kevin Smith, to name a few.”

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Jordan Ross Joins Lane Kiffin At LSU Despite Encouraging Projections

Aug 30, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Jordan Ross (Photo via Imagn Images)
As for Ross, the ex-Vestavia Hills star was tipped to be the starting edge rusher for the Volunteers next season, with Joshua Josephs having declared for the NFL Draft. However, he entered the portal after Caleb Herring decided to transfer. Herring, also an edge rusher, has yet to find a new school.

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Ross registered 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 11 games last season. Injuries limited his impact, but he made the best of his time on the field.

He’s now set to play the Vols in LSU colors at Neyland Stadium in November.

Kiffin also has history at Tennessee. He coached the team in 2009 before a controversial exit the following year, when he left to take over at USC after Pete Carroll departed to coach the Seattle Seahawks.

He had a golf ball thrown at him when he returned in 2021.

It appears he was after more of the same, as he tried his best to attend the Sugar Bowl matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia.