LSU 2025 Recruiting summary:

LSU's 2025 recruiting campaign started off extremely hot, Signing 5-star talent like Bryce Underwood (QB), Dakorien Moore (WR), and Kade Phillips (CB). It seemed to be that LSU was making a competitive push to make LSU seem like a hotbed for highly talented recruits to attend As a lot of college football fans will remember LSU at one point in the season was 6-1 and had a top 2 recruiting class. LSU then proceeded to go on a three-game losing streak to Texas A&M, Alabama and in the swamp at Florida. After these losses a lot of this talent started to leave, such as Dakorien Moore who decommitted near the beginning of the season after the loss to USC, just to commit to Oregon after a lucrative NIL deal was offered.

              As signing day approached, many LSU fans were holding their breath over big time recruits and about a week and a half away from signing day, unanimous #1 player in the country and #1 quarterback Bryce Underwood decommitted from LSU after being offered a rumored $13 million to play at Michigan. In my 16 years of being an LSU fan, that was probably the biggest betrayal I ever felt in my life in a recruiting storyline. Following the Bryce Underwood decommitment, three other top 100 players in the country decommitted from LSU to go elsewhere, Scalping our recruiting class.

              While it felt like LSU's recruiting class for 2025 was a disappointment. LSU finished the season with a #7 recruiting class in the country, which includes the transfer portal window. A still impressive recruiting class to say the least, especially in this day and age of NIL. Even with LSU being exposed for not being a top dog when regarding NIL deals for college athletes after the Bryce Underwood, Kade Phillips, and Dakorien Moore fiascos. LSU responded accordingly by ramping up their NIL game and hitting the transfer portal extremely hard coming out with the #1 transfer portal class, which silenced some LSU haters.

              I am going to talk about the three positions that I am most excited for entering this upcoming football season for the LSU tigers, this will determined by the players coming in from this recruiting class and the transfer portal. Garrett Nussmeier is returning so he will not be on here.

#1: Wide Receiver:

 Who would have thought LSU's wide receivers would be exciting. After losing Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr last year, and now Kyren Lacy to the draft, LSU's receiving core seemed gashed to say the least. However, with Chris Hilton and Aaron Anderson coming back, LSU's receiving core not only keeps talent, but also keeps experience. Additionally, the additions of wide receiver Nic Anderson and Barion Brown through the transfer portal make LSU receiving core one of the best in the country on paper. Not only does the receiving game seem special but Barion Brown is an elite return man on kickoffs and punt returns. The biggest question mark entering the next season for the wide receivers is who do you start? And, who is the 1st receiver to not receive as many reps? These problems are good ones to have as a talented receiving core.

#2: Defensive line (Pass rush):

              In the past few years with Brian Kelly's tenure, the argument can be made that LSU's defensive line has not been completely up to the task. Besides BJ Ojulari, Harold Perkins freshman year, and a small stint by Bradyn Swinson the rest of the LSU defensive line has not garnered much pressure. In response, Brian Kelly attacked this position in the portal, with adding the likes of Jack Pyburn, a young edge from Florida who came to LSU with the main goal of becoming a better pass rusher under Coach Peoples and Bo Davis. Then the addition of Jimari Butler from Nebraska, who adds experience and passion to the pass rusher room as this will be his last eligible season in college football. Both of these additions increase the value of the edge rushers with new young talent and experience.

Lastly, the biggest name of them all and the biggest question mark on the defensive line, Patrick Payton. Payton Was an All-Star pass rusher his freshman and sophomore year on the Seminoles down in Tallahassee, but after a disappointing season on a disappointing team, Patrick Payton looks elsewhere for a place to utilize his abilities. Adding these bodies to a room that also uses Harold Perkins could be is spark away from lighting the match. In my opinion, this year LSU is going to get after the football.

#3: Offensive Line:

              With LSU starting left and right tackle Will Campbell and Emery Jones heading to the draft, LSU has some big holes to fill on the offensive line. Brian Kelly can be called a lot of names and judged on a lot, but one thing the man does perfectly is scout and develop offensive lineman. LSU offensive line recruiting class is one of the top in the country, with two of the top 3 offensive linemen in the country such as Carius Curne out of Arkansas, and Solomon Thomas the 5 star lineman out of Florida. Young blue blood talent is returning to the position, and the offensive staffs are extremely optimistic on the highly touted freshman.

              LSU had other needs and ideas with recruiting also and that is with the transfer portal. LSU added Josh Thompson out of Northwestern who was seen as the #2 offensive lineman in the portal who adds experience and proven talent from his time at Northwestern. Another name that has to be mentioned is Braelon Moore, an offensive lineman from Virginia Tech who will more than likely play center so DJ Chester can swing out to his natural position, Guard. Moore was ranked the #4 offensive lineman in the portal for this cycle and LSU landing two of the top 4 is another great achievement. While the names on the offensive line will be different than the prior year, I do not think the unit as a whole will depreciate in value. However, only one will tell by week 1.