Brian Kelly is now calling Baton Rouge home. The ex-Notre Dame coach shocked the college football world when he was hired by LSU in December after appearances in two College Football Playoff semifinals and one BCS National Championship during his 12 seasons leading the Fighting Irish. He has taken over a program that, despite being three seasons removed from a national title — and perhaps the best season in college football history — has fallen on hard times due to former coach Ed Orgeron's gross mismanagement.

Kelly also has to deal with a numbers problem. LSU was wildly undermanned in the Texas Bowl loss to Kansas State. Roster management isn't exactly an easy issue for any coach these days, much less one who's operating at a scholarship deficit. But the transfer portal goes both ways, and Kelly has successfully tapped into it already. 

With LSU in general, there is hope for the future. 

Kelly will have plenty of talent to work with in his first spring, especially at offensive skill positions. Let's break down what to expect this spring from the Tigers. 

 

Offseason changes

Kelly's first offseason has been a wild ride at quarterback. Former starter Myles Brennan entered, and then subsequently exited, the transfer portal. The sixth-year senior was 79 of 131 for 1,112 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions over the first three games of the 2020 season before an injury forced him to the sideline.