Ole Miss’s Jai Choudhary is set to leave for LSU, where he’ll serve as assistant director of player personnel. The Chicago native was hired by head coach Lane Kiffin in 2022 and made an immediate impact over his three seasons with the Rebels.
This move is significant for LSU for many reasons.
Jai Choudhary’s Hire at LSU Reminds the College Football World of the SEC Hierarchy
Brian Kelly has successfully poached Choudhary from SEC rival Ole Miss.
Over three seasons in Oxford, Choudhary quickly climbed the ladder—from player personnel graduate assistant to head of advanced scouting, and eventually taking on NFL liaison duties in 2023.
Prior to joining Ole Miss, he had stops at USC, the New York Jets and Northwestern, gaining experience at both the college and professional levels.
Now, the Tigers gain a sharp football mind. In his new role as assistant director of player personnel, Choudhary will work alongside Kelly as LSU looks to reclaim its place atop the SEC and the national college football landscape.
Choudhary took to X to thank Kiffin and the Ole Miss program:
“I’m extremely grateful to have been part of the Ole Miss and Oxford community. Thank you Coach Kiffin and the entire Ole Miss staff for all the fond memories the past 3 years! The Sip will always have a special place in my heart! Super excited for my next chapter.”
Fortunately for Kiffin and the Rebels, the overall coaching staff remains intact.
“It’s the first year we’ve ever had where everyone stayed and no turnover,” Kiffin said. “A lot of times you’ll have coaches leave for other jobs. To have everyone back, it’s really exciting.”
Kiffin retained both coordinators and all position coaches—key figures behind the Rebels’ third 10-win season in the past four years. The program’s current trajectory represents a level of consistency and success not seen at Ole Miss in over 50 years.
Meanwhile, LSU continues to search for that same level of consistency under Kelly.
Last season, the Tigers missed the College Football Playoff and finished 9-4, placing fourth in the SEC. Now heading into his fourth year in Baton Rouge, Kelly is feeling the pressure to deliver.
While he holds a 29-11 record, LSU has yet to win a conference or national title under his leadership.
Still, talent has never been the issue. Kelly has coached elite players like Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., and the Tigers continue to add more.
This offseason, LSU landed five-star recruit Harlem Berry—the No. 1 running back in the nation. The Louisiana native has already impressed this spring.
“He’s a natural runner of the football,” Kelly said. “He sees things that you just don’t coach. The great backs just have that natural, uncanny ability to see things on the move, and you just let it go. He’s got to be coached on protections.”
“He’s got to be coached on scheme,” Kelly added. “He’s got to be coached on how to eat. He’s got to be coached on some other things, and we’re doing it—and he’s very receptive to that. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. But he’s a natural runner of the football, and he’s really good.”
“I remember watching Harlem Berry for the first time a couple of years ago and a name popped into my head immediately,” On3’s Cody Bellaire wrote. “I remember telling myself, ‘You can’t compare them, don’t do that.’ And yet, here we are… Who do I think is Harlem Berry’s player comparison? Reggie Bush.”
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With the additions of Berry and Choudhary, LSU is making it clear: the Tigers are gearing up for a serious College Football Playoff run.
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