Is Brian Kelly’s 2025 LSU Football Roster His Best Since Joining the School?

As LSU’s head coach, Brian Kelly has only had a few seasons to put his stamp on the program, yet he’s already managed to create a team that is garnering a lot of attention, particularly for the 2025 season. After a tumultuous start to his tenure, including an adjustment to a new environment and roster, Kelly’s program has shown significant improvement in terms of recruiting, player development, and on-field success. With an eye on 2025, it’s a fair question to ask: is this the best roster that Brian Kelly has assembled since taking over at LSU?

To assess this, it’s important to evaluate several factors that contribute to the strength of a roster, such as talent, depth, coaching development, and overall cohesion. In doing so, we’ll consider how the 2025 roster compares to Kelly’s previous teams at LSU, particularly the 2022 and 2023 squads, which gave fans and analysts a glimpse of Kelly’s vision for the program.

Recruiting Success and Player Development

Brian Kelly arrived at LSU in 2022 with a reputation for being a highly successful recruiter, and that has proven to be one of his greatest assets in Baton Rouge. The 2025 LSU roster will likely be built on a combination of strong recruiting classes, talented transfers, and coaching development. Kelly’s 2023 class, in particular, ranks among the top nationally and is full of potential stars. Furthermore, Kelly’s ability to develop players, especially his work with quarterbacks and the defensive line, has been one of the key indicators of future success for LSU.

The 2025 class continues the trend, and while the talent influx is undoubtedly impressive, it’s the ability of Kelly and his staff to mold this talent into functional and effective football players that will determine how successful this team can be. The early returns on Kelly’s player development have been positive, particularly in his ability to turn raw talent into legitimate SEC-level contributors.

Quarterback Play: A Key to Success

One of the most critical factors in determining the potential success of LSU’s 2025 roster is the quarterback position. Brian Kelly’s tenure at LSU so far has been marked by finding stability at the quarterback position, starting with Jayden Daniels in 2022. Daniels proved to be a key piece of Kelly’s offense, providing a dual-threat option that allowed LSU to be dynamic on offense. Daniels’ performance in 2023 only solidified the quarterback position as a strength of the team, leading the Tigers to a strong finish in the SEC and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance.

However, with Daniels potentially moving on after the 2024 season, LSU’s 2025 quarterback position will be crucial. Kelly has managed to bring in highly touted recruits, such as Ricky Collins, and has also been successful in attracting experienced transfer quarterbacks. The potential of the quarterback room in 2025 could make it one of the strongest in the nation. If LSU can replicate or improve upon the play it got from Daniels in 2023, the 2025 roster might be viewed as one of Kelly’s best.

Offensive Weapons: Depth and Playmakers

Along with the quarterback position, LSU’s offensive roster will feature some of the most talented and deep groups that Kelly has had since his arrival. The wide receiver corps is loaded with both young talent and experienced players capable of stretching the field and making explosive plays. Players like Malik Nabers, who has been an explosive playmaker in the past seasons, could anchor a unit that features multiple weapons. Additionally, the running back room, with future stars in the making, should be in great shape, with Kelly’s recruitment focusing heavily on depth and versatility.

LSU’s offensive line has been a focal point of improvement under Kelly’s leadership, and by 2025, it could be one of the most well-rounded and effective units in the SEC. The offensive line has the potential to give the quarterback solid protection while opening up running lanes for playmakers in the backfield. Kelly has already shown an ability to develop offensive line talent, and the 2025 group could be a key strength for the Tigers.

Defensive Strengths and Line Play

Defensively, LSU under Kelly has made great strides, particularly in the trenches. The defensive line in 2025 is expected to be among the best in college football, with a mix of returning talent and new recruits. Kelly’s ability to recruit and develop elite defensive linemen has already been evident in his first two seasons, and with names like Maason Smith and Savion Jones potentially anchoring the line, LSU will have a formidable group up front.

The linebacker corps is another area where LSU has seen significant improvement under Kelly. The combination of athleticism and football IQ in the linebacker room, particularly with players like Greg Penn III and others who may rise to prominence by 2025, gives LSU a lot of options in terms of scheme flexibility. Kelly’s experience in defense, having coached under several defensive-minded head coaches, gives him an edge in developing this group.

In the secondary, LSU’s defensive backfield will again be a mixture of returning players and newcomers. The 2025 roster should have a more experienced and confident group of cornerbacks and safeties. Kelly’s defense is based on versatility and flexibility, which means that LSU’s defensive backs could be used in a variety of ways, making the unit even more dangerous. Players like Denver Harris and others who join the program could elevate the secondary to elite status.

Depth Across the Board

One of the defining characteristics of successful football teams is depth, and by 2025, LSU should have a roster that is deep in every position group. This depth will be especially important in the SEC, where injuries and attrition can quickly decimate a team’s hopes for a successful season. Having multiple capable players at every position allows LSU to sustain high levels of play throughout the long and grueling SEC schedule.

The 2025 roster, with talent across the board, will give Kelly the flexibility to adapt to various opponents and game situations. Whether it’s rotating defensive linemen to keep fresh legs on the field or having capable backups at key offensive skill positions, depth will be a major asset for LSU in 2025.

Coaching and Scheme Adjustments

Brian Kelly has been known for his ability to adjust his schemes to fit the talent at his disposal. This adaptability has been evident in his work on both sides of the ball. On offense, Kelly has embraced a more modern, up-tempo approach, utilizing his quarterbacks’ mobility and the speed of his playmakers to exploit defenses. Defensively, Kelly has implemented a system that emphasizes versatility and adaptability, moving pieces around to confuse opponents.

In 2025, LSU will likely see a further refinement of these schemes, as Kelly has had time to implement his system and adapt it to the unique challenges of the SEC. With a roster that is deeper and more talented, Kelly will have more flexibility to experiment with different lineups and strategies, making LSU a difficult team to predict.

Comparison to Previous LSU Teams

To gauge whether the 2025 roster is truly Kelly’s best, it’s essential to compare it with previous LSU teams under his leadership. In 2022, Kelly took over a program in transition, inheriting a roster that was a mix of talent and depth but also riddled with gaps. However, he led LSU to a surprising 10-win season and a victory in the Citrus Bowl, demonstrating his ability to extract maximum value from his players.

In 2023, the program continued to improve, with LSU finishing in the top 10 and having a solid season that showed Kelly’s program was taking shape. The 2023 roster had some key stars, including Daniels at quarterback, but still lacked the kind of depth and overall talent that Kelly is building for 2025.

Looking at the 2025 roster, it appears to be the most well-rounded and deep team that Kelly has had in his tenure at LSU. While the 2022 and 2023 teams were impressive in their own right, 2025 is shaping up to be the year when everything comes together for Kelly and his program. The combination of elite recruits, seasoned upperclassmen, and developmental progress should make this roster his best yet.