LSU: All In for a Championship Run
I have the LSU Tigers at No. 7 in my preseason Top 25, and this feels like a make-or-break season for Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge. After a frustrating 2024 campaign, LSU went on an unprecedented talent acquisition spree, landing the No. 1 transfer portal class in America and a top-five high school recruiting class. With a Heisman-caliber quarterback, a rising star at defensive coordinator, and an infusion of elite talent at every position, 2025 is crunch time for the Tigers to make a serious run at the SEC and national titles.
2024: A Promising Season Derailed
Last season was a tale of two halves. LSU started 6-1, looking like a contender, but a mid-season three-game losing streak exposed critical flaws. The defense couldn’t contain mobile quarterbacks, getting gashed by Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and the offense froze up at the worst possible times. The frustrating stretch led to an uncharacteristically combative Brian Kelly, who felt the pressure of falling short of championship expectations.
However, the team rallied to win its final three games, including a decisive bowl victory over Baylor. That strong finish provided a springboard for an aggressive offseason that saw LSU completely re-tool its roster for a 2025 championship push.
Offense: Reloaded for Explosive Play
The 2023 Heisman-winning offense was a tough act to follow, but quarterback Garrett Nussmeier delivered an impressive encore, throwing for over 4,000 yards. Now, with a full season as the starter under his belt and a second-year bonus, he enters 2025 as a legitimate Heisman favorite.
The talent around him has been massively upgraded. The receiver room, which lacked its usual vertical threat, gets its spark back with the return of a healthy Chris Hilton and the additions of two game-changing transfers: Kentucky’s Barion Brown, who holds the SEC record for kickoff return touchdowns, and Oklahoma’s Nic Anderson, a big-play machine. The running back room is now one of the most talented in the nation, led by returning freshman standout Caden Durham and the #1 running back recruit in the 2025 class, five-star Harlem Berry. The offensive line lost four NFL draft picks but reloaded through the portal with proven Power 4 starters like Braelin Moore (Virginia Tech) and Josh Thompson (Northwestern).
Defense: Baker’s Masterpiece in the Making
The key to LSU’s season lies with defensive coordinator Blake Baker. After making significant improvements in his first year, he now has a roster stocked with elite talent to execute his aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. The No. 1 transfer class was built to fix this side of the ball.
The unit is built around All-American linebacker Harold Perkins, who returns to his versatile “STAR” position where he can wreak havoc. He is joined by Whit Weeks, who led the team in tackles as a freshman. The defensive line was bolstered by the addition of Patrick Payton (Florida State), the #3 overall transfer in the portal. The secondary, a major weakness last year, has been completely transformed with the additions of All-Big 12 safety AJ Haulcy (Houston), All-ACC corner Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech), and five-star freshman DJ Pickett. This group has gone from a liability to a potential strength.
The Schedule and the Path
The schedule is challenging, as always in the SEC. But with this level of talent, LSU is built to compete with anyone. They have the firepower to navigate the gauntlet and will be in the mix for an at-large playoff bid, positioning themselves as one of the most dangerous teams in the country by November.
Why I’m So Confident
Here’s why I believe LSU is a legitimate national title contender:
- A Heisman-favorite quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier.
- The No. 1 transfer portal class in the nation.
- A top-five high school recruiting class adding even more talent.
- A second-year coordinator bonus for defensive mastermind Blake Baker.
- Elite, game-changing talent at every level of the roster.
LSU has pushed all its chips to the middle of the table for 2025. At No. 7 in my preseason rankings, they have the quarterback, the defensive scheme, and the overwhelming talent to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff.
