Mario Cristobal Is Beating Lane Kiffin for a Five-Star Defender's Son and LSU Is Running Out of Time

The recruiting battle for Ezekiel Ayangbile just took a dramatic turn, and Lane Kiffin's LSU Tigers are watching Miami pull away. Ayangbile, an elite edge prospect and son of five-time Pro Bowl lineman Duane Brown, has become one of the offseason's biggest recruiting stories, with multiple powerhouse programs circling. But the momentum? That's shifting toward Mario Cristobal's Hurricanes, and it's happening fast.

Miami's Momentum Just Got Stronger

LSU, Miami, and Virginia Tech have all been in the mix for Ayangbile, but recent signs point to the Hurricanes gaining serious ground. According to Locked On Canes insider Alex Donno, the trend lines turned even more favorable for Miami after Ayangbile's recent visit to LSU, which seems counterintuitive but tells you everything about where this recruitment is heading. "Even though he had a recent visit to LSU, the Miami trends have actually gotten even stronger since the LSU visit," Donno said on the podcast. That's not a good look for Kiffin and the Tigers when a competitor program's own visit strengthens your rival's position.

The Family Ties That Matter

Virginia Tech has stayed involved because of the legacy factor: both of Ayangbile's parents attended the school as athletes. But Donno noted that Ayangbile comes from "super athletic parenting," and while LSU still holds regional recruiting advantages, Miami has built enough momentum to make this race genuinely competitive. "I think that explains why Virginia Tech has been in the mix for him because of the legacy factor," Donno explained. "But it's been primarily Miami versus LSU versus Virginia Tech." The key word here? "Was." This one isn't decided yet, but Miami is trending in the right direction.

Kiffin Chasing Other Targets

Meanwhile, Kiffin isn't sitting still. LSU and Miami recently made in-home visits to flip four-star safety Tory Pittman from Nebraska, according to Rivals.com. Pittman, an Omaha Central standout, ranks among the top safeties in the 2027 class and remains one of Nebraska's top commitments, but his speed and playmaking have attracted multiple major programs. Kiffin's recruiting reputation could help late in the process, but for now, the Tigers are fighting on multiple fronts and losing ground on their most prized target.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.