When people talk about LSU football Kyren Lacy, they usually start with the ghosts. Specifically, the two ghosts drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s hard not to. Following in the footsteps of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. is basically like being the guy who had to go on stage after The Beatles. You’re expected to perform, but you’re mostly just a reminder of what isn’t there anymore.
But honestly? Comparing Lacy to those guys is where everyone messes up. He was never meant to be a Nabers clone.
Kyren Lacy is a grinder who took the long road through the transfer portal from UL Lafayette, spent years playing third fiddle, and finally got the keys to the car in 2024. He didn't just "fill a spot." He finished the 2024 regular season tied for the lead in the SEC with 9 receiving touchdowns. He wasn't just a placeholder; he was the engine for Garrett Nussmeier during a season where the Tigers desperately needed a sure thing on third down.
The "Drop" Narrative and the Senior Surge
If you’ve followed LSU football, you know the knock on Lacy was always the hands. In 2023, he’d make a catch that looked like it belonged on a Sunday afternoon highlight reel and then, two drives later, he’d let a routine slant hit the turf. It was frustrating. Coach Brian Kelly didn't hide it either, constantly challenging Lacy to find "elite consistency."
Something clicked over the 2024 offseason.
He didn't just get better; he became a different player. While everyone was eyeing transfer Zavion Thomas or the young speedster Chris Hilton Jr., Lacy was in the lab. He started all 12 regular-season games and became the primary target, hauling in 58 passes for 866 yards.
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Maybe the most telling moment of his career wasn't even a deep ball. It was the overtime win against Ole Miss. LSU is under the lights in Death Valley, the pressure is suffocating, and the very first play of OT, Nussmeier looks for number 2. Lacy catches a 25-yard dart to end the game. That’s not the play of a guy who "struggles with focus." That’s a WR1 taking over.
By the Numbers: Kyren Lacy's 2024 Impact
Instead of just looking at the season total, you have to see where those yards came from.
- Touchdowns: 9 (Tied for 1st in the SEC).
- Volume: 58 receptions on over 100 targets.
- Clutch factor: 7 receptions for 94 yards in the opener against USC, setting the tone for the whole year.
- Big Game Hunter: 111 yards against Ole Miss and 107 against South Alabama.
He wasn't just catching screen passes. Lacy averaged 14.9 yards per reception. He was a vertical threat who forced defenses to respect the over-the-top game, even if he didn't have the 4.3 speed of the guys who came before him.
What NFL Scouts Actually See in Kyren Lacy
Let’s be real: the NFL Draft community is obsessed with "traits." They want 6-foot-4 or sub-4.4 speed. Lacy is 6-foot-2 and roughly 215 pounds. He’s "big enough" and "fast enough," but his real value is his route-running nuance.
He’s a separator.
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Watching the tape from the Texas A&M game, you see him manipulating defensive backs with his eyes and hips. He knows how to settle in zones. In 2026, as we look back at his declaration for the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s clear he was one of the biggest "risers" for a reason. He proved he could handle a high target share without his efficiency falling off a cliff.
ESPN had him rated as the No. 6 wideout in the class at one point, which is wild considering where he started at ULL. He’s basically the poster child for the "stay in school and develop" movement. He could have left earlier, but he chose to come back, get his degree in Sport Administration, and prove he could be the alpha in a room full of four and five-star recruits.
Why the "Transfer" Label is Misleading
People still call him a "transfer" like it's a temporary status. Lacy spent three years in Baton Rouge. He played 39 games for the Tigers. By the time he walked on Senior Day, hugging his family in Tiger Stadium, he was as much a "LSU Wide Receiver" as any homegrown recruit.
He stayed through the transition of offensive coordinators. He stayed while Nabers and Thomas got all the national media love. That kind of patience is rare in the portal era. Most guys would have bailed after a season of being the third option.
The Final Legacy in Baton Rouge
Lacy skipped the Texas Bowl to prep for the draft—a move that’s pretty standard now—but his final home game against Oklahoma felt like a proper goodbye. An 18-yard TD in the first quarter of a 37-17 win. Efficient. Professional.
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He finished his college career with 162 catches and 26 touchdowns. That is serious production over five years of football.
What's next? For Lacy, it’s the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine, where he'll likely solidify himself as a Day 2 pick, potentially even sneaking into the back of the first round if a team falls in love with his contested-catch ability. For LSU, it means the cycle starts again. They have to find the next Kyren Lacy—the guy willing to wait his turn and then explode.
Actionable Insights for LSU Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Senior Bowl Tape: This is where Lacy will either sink or swim. If he can create separation against the best corners in the country in 1-on-1 drills, his stock is going to skyrocket.
- Don't ignore the "YAC": Look at Lacy’s yards after catch in the 2024 highlights. His ability to turn a 5-yard hitch into a 15-yard gain is what NFL offensive coordinators are looking for in a possession-plus receiver.
- Draft Value: If you're looking at mock drafts, Lacy is the classic "high floor" prospect. He’s ready to play special teams or sub-packages on Day 1.
The story of Kyren Lacy at LSU isn't about being the best to ever do it. It’s about being the guy who refused to be overlooked. He didn't just survive the WR1 transition; he mastered it.