Orlando (Fla.) Lake Nona three-star defensive lineman DeAnthony Lafayette has committed to Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, he revealed via social media on Thursday.
Lafayette, the No. 5 rated EDGE in Florida, pledges to the Bayou Bengals over the Oklahoma Sooners down the stretch in his recruiting process.
The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder reeled in offers from the likes of the LSU Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Boston College Eagles, Miami Hurricanes, and Florida Gators, among several others, following a stellar 2024 junior campaign in Florida.
Lafayette wrapped up his junior season with 73 tackles, 40 quarterback hurries and 17.5 sacks in 11 games, according MaxPreps.
From there, the LSU Tigers intensified their pursuit.
Kelly and Co. brought in Lafayette for an official visit to Baton Rouge during the weekend of June 13 where coveted Florida native soaked in the scenes of campus while in on a multi-day stay.
BREAKING: #LSU has landed a commitment from the No. 5 EDGE in Florida: DeAnthony Lafayette.
The Sunshine State native pledges to Brian Kelly and Co. with the program remaining hot on the recruiting trail.
LSU now has the No. 1 + No. 5 EDGE in Florida committed to the program. pic.twitter.com/HoxHqxGubl
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) July 10, 2025
Following the visit, while taking time to mull over options with his camp, the LSU Tigers quickly emerged as the team to beat in his process.
“I’m going to LSU!” Lafayette told Rivals. “Coach (Kevin) Peoples showed love since they offered me and his coaching style is a style I would love to be coached by.
“LSU football is something you can’t find anywhere else. It was hard between OU and LSU but they won me over.”
What led the Sunshine State native to Louisiana to commit to the Bayou Bengals?
“It was just the feeling on the official visits,” he told Rivals. “LSU felt more like home for me. Baton Rouge — from the energy, the people, and the love for LSU football — hit different. From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home.
“You can tell the city breathes football, and being part of that means everything.”
LSU is cruising in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle with the program landing a pair of commitments on Thursday as Lafayette joins five-star Lamar Brown as the two pledges.
Brown, the No. 1 rated athlete in America, has shined in the trenches as both an offensive and defensive lineman throughout his time on the prep scene.
BREAKING: Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers have landed a commitment from the No. 1 ATH in America: Lamar Brown.
The No. 1 overall prospect in Louisiana has pledged to stay in the Bayou State.
LSU beats out Texas A&M down the stretch for the 5-star two-way recruit.
Massive. pic.twitter.com/wsDn2ctVES
— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) July 10, 2025
The 6-foot-3, 285-pounder trimmed his list to the LSU Tigers, Texas A&M Aggies, Texas Longhorns and Miami Hurricanes this offseason with a pair of Southeastern Conference schools gaining momentum.
LSU and Texas A&M separated from the pack down the stretch with Brown mulling over his options until the clock nearly hit zero.
But it’s the hometown Tigers that have won out for Brown’s services following Thursday’s announcement.
It’s a monumental commitment for Kelly and the Bayou Bengals with the program now reeling in a pledge from the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana.
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