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The LSU Tigers lost a commitment from top pitching prospect Lawson McLeod this week. The right-hander had been a part of the program’s top-ranked recruiting class since 2024.
The news comes amid fanbase concern over lacking NIL support for coach Jay Johnson. The Tigers have prioritized other sports despite the baseball team’s history of success.
McLeod joined the class in September of his junior season. At 6-6 with a fastball that tops out in the mid-90s, he’s an intimidating presence on the mound.
The Virginia native is one of the most prized recruits in the state. He initially chose to leave the area to suit up for a championship winning program.
He’s now rethinking that decision.
Lawson McLeod decommitted from LSU.
He posted an update on his status Thursday. It comes as the Tigers defend a national title in their 2026 season.
McLeod is reopening his recruitment. He did not provide reasoning. Did NIL play a role?
Last summer, Wilson Alexander of The Advocate reported on the breakdown of NIL rev share for each of the school’s athletic programs. The Tigers are going all in on football, which is spending $40 million on the 2026 roster while paying the head coach $13 million.
Basketball gets the second-largest payout. From there, it would’ve been reasonable to believe baseball was in line for the next-biggest total. That is not the case.
LSU will allocate 75% to football, which equals $13.5 million in the first year; 15% to men’s basketball ($2.7 million); 5% to women’s basketball ($900,000); and 5% to the rest of its sports… Every LSU team will receive some money, Zinn said. She believes the ones that aren’t getting as much will still have what they need financially to compete.
LSU Baseball could be battling with sports like softball and gymnastics for donor support. It will have to raise funds outside of revenue share to stay competitive.
Coach Jay Johnson struck fear into the fanbase with recent comments on MLB interest. He was asked about leaving for a better job earlier this year.
“I have zero interest in that at this time, now, that’s at this time”
Jay Johnson comments on his interest level in taking a MLB job in the future.
Says he’s following how Tony Vitello is doing with the San Francisco Giants. #LSU pic.twitter.com/Pyh1i71zNU
— John Eads WAFB-TV (@JohnEadsWAFB) April 1, 2026
“Right now, I have zero interest in (the MLB),” he said. “But that’s at this time. I haven’t been offered an MLB job… There’s a lot we need to put into this to be the best we can be. We want to be the best program in the country.”
Reading between the lines, it appeared a clear shot at administration. He needs more support in order to stay. It seems to have made an impact.
LSU plans to improve support.
Athletic director Verge Ausberry appeared in an interview with Matt Moscona of LouisianaSports.net this week. He singled out the baseball program’s NIL concerns.
“Moving forward, we’re going to make sure that baseball, their rev share is going up. We’re also going to have more money for them for NIL. I’ve been meeting with Jay about that. He had some concerns about where we were and some things we had to do, and we met this week on that.”
-LSU AD Verge Ausberry
Losing Johnson would be significant. Since taking over in Baton Rouge, he’s won two titles in four years. Recruiting has been a major part of that success.
Without buy-in, that success could take a hit. Ausberry’s update should ease some worry.
Lawson McLeod did not say that NIL played a role in his decommitment from LSU baseball. He might’ve simply had a change of heart.
The timing was concerning given the recent reporting on the program. Administration has ensured the fanbase that there is nothing to worry about.