Will LSU football 5-star Harlem Berry follow Frank Wilson to Ole Miss?

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LSU football’s interim head coach and running backs coach, Frank Wilson, is leaving Baton Rouge after the bowl game to take a position at Ole Miss, per On3 Sports.

Wilson, a two-time national recruiter of the year, is a big get for the Rebels. They likely plan to use his connections in New Orleans to lure LSU recruits in the future, but that’s not the only concern that could arise from his hiring. LSU’s running back room is bare, with only two on scholarship after Ju’Juan Johnson and Kaleb Jackson announced they’re entering the portal.

Even more concerning is Wilson’s relationship with LSU’s remaining duo, Caden Durham and former five-star Harlem Berry. The two split carries for the latter part of LSU’s season, and although their production might not look spectacular, they’re both expected to be key pieces for the Tigers' 2026 season. While Durham is from Texas, Berry’s family is from New Orleans and has a long-standing relationship with Wilson. 

If Berry leaves with Wilson for Ole Miss, it puts the Tigers in a tough spot. Berry is one of the few gifted young skill players on a surprisingly talent-deficient LSU roster, and he’s a key part of the team’s future. 

Many fans shrug off the concerns about Berry leaving because it’s rumored that current Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy is heading to Baton Rouge after the Rebels’ postseason. Lacy is an exceptionally gifted back coming off one of the most impressive seasons at his position in the country, but if he repeats that performance, he’ll probably be a one-and-done at LSU. If that happens, the Tigers could find themselves in the same situation they are now if Berry leaves: struggling with depth at the position and missing the star talent he provides, at least until the end of the 2027 season.

In all fairness, much of this concern about depth stems from the fact that LSU didn’t sign a running back in the 2026 class. They can still use the upcoming transfer portal to add depth at the position and, if Berry leaves, strengthen it at the top. They can also target running backs in next year’s recruiting class to add youth to the group. In short, the problems Wilson’s departure may cause are frustrating, but fixable.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Will LSU football 5-star Harlem Berry follow Frank Wilson to Ole Miss?

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