LSU 2021 Commit Corey Kiner Off to Historic Start to Senior Season, “100% Committed” to Tigers

Kiner talks relationship with 2021 class and excitement to get to LSU

Corey Kiner is off to an historic start to his 2020 senior season at Roger Bacon High School. The LSU 2021 running back commit is just three games into his final season and rushed for 781 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first three games, capped off by his most recent performance that reset his own Ohio high school record.

In an 82-28 win over Norwood Friday night, Kiner rushed for 363 yards and seven touchdowns which broke his own record for rushing yards in a game. The Cincinnati native now has over 7,000 all purpose yards and 103 touchdowns for his career, following the seven score performance on Friday. 

The gaudy stats have translated to wins as Friday's victory vaulted Roger Bacon to 3-0 on the young season. But if you ask Kiner about his superb start to the season, he's actually feeling a little bit sluggish out of the gates, which is a scary thought. 

"I feel like I'm playing alright," Kiner said. "I got to game one and two and started feeling a little sluggish and then last night, I still wasn't making my cuts at full speed like I need to so it just takes a little time."

If setting Ohio records on a "sluggish" night is the normal for Kiner then LSU fans should feel ecstatic about the newest running back commit. Kiner is currently ranked as the No. 9 running back on SI All-American but if he keeps turning in performances like Friday, he'll shoot up the list in no time.

Speed and mobility were the main areas Kiner really focused on in the offseason, running sprints with teammates every other day. It's been a few months since Kiner committed to the purple and gold but he remains in constant communication with running backs coach Kevin Faulk and coach Ed Orgeron.

Faulk was one of the first people to reach out to Kiner after his record setting performance on Friday.

"He was like 'Are you trying to get 1,000 yards in three games? Lol' he said in a joking manner," Kiner said. "That was my goal and I try to score everytime I touch the ball.

"I already know what's up as far as LSU and knowing the campus so it's just building the relationship. We talk about school, family and I'll have questions for coach Faulk. Him being a former great high school player and great college player just helps me even more because he knows exactly what I'm dealing with."

Kiner is planning on signing with the Tigers in December as he is "100% committed" but will have to wait until after the spring semester to enroll with the program. In the meantime, Kiner has spent the last few months getting to know his fellow 2021 commits and is of course part of the recruiting process to help lure in some other big time talents. 

"I'm pretty close with a lot of those guys especially Garrett [Nussmeier]," Kiner said. "Garrett's my boy. Over quarantine I probably played 2K and Fortnite, all of those games with him every day so that's how much me and Garrett have been talking over this whole time. I feel like I've known him for a long time and I still haven't met him in person yet."

Kiner was not one of the players in Baton Rouge last weekend for the visit but has been doing his part as one of his good friends is Tristan Leigh, the offensive tackle prospect out of Fairfax, Virginia. 

"I told Tristan no matter where he goes I'll still be there for him," Kiner said. "He took the time last week and congratulate me on my game. It doesn't have to be about football, if he ever needs anything then he can just hit me up."

Defensive linemen Maason Smith and Korey Foreman are just a few of the other prospects that Kiner said he's spoken with and would love to see in purple and gold. 

"I feel like the program is in a great spot," Kiner said. "My class and I, we have the chance to take it to an even higher level. I feel like LSU will elevate my playing level and I will elevate them. It matches up perfectly for us to have continued success."