Here’s What Comes Next for LSU Football as Brian Kelly Begins His Fourth Offseason

As the calendar turns to 2024, LSU football enters its fourth offseason under head coach Brian Kelly. What started as a rebuilding year in 2022 quickly transitioned into a competitive, championship-caliber program in 2023. Kelly has shown a remarkable ability to re-establish LSU’s identity as a perennial contender in the SEC, and after a successful second season, the Tigers now face the challenges of maintaining their momentum while continuing to improve in all facets of their team. With Kelly’s track record of success, the future of LSU football is bright, but the path forward is filled with decisions, strategies, and pivotal moves that will shape the Tigers’ 2024 season and beyond.

This offseason will be critical for LSU to continue its upward trajectory. After a solid 2023 campaign where the Tigers had notable victories and some setbacks, LSU’s roster needs to be refined and its depth built up. The most important questions that Kelly and his staff will need to answer center around roster management, recruiting, development, and the adaptation of schemes to ensure the Tigers can compete at the highest level of college football, particularly in the daunting SEC.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what comes next for LSU football as Brian Kelly begins his fourth offseason. From building on the foundation set in his first few years to addressing specific roster needs and adapting to an evolving football landscape, LSU’s path to a successful 2024 season will depend on several key factors.

1. Maintaining Momentum and Establishing a Championship Culture

Brian Kelly arrived at LSU in 2022 following the departure of Ed Orgeron, tasked with rebuilding the program after some turbulent seasons. In his second year, LSU exceeded expectations by winning the SEC West and making a significant run in the SEC Championship Game, a feat many thought would take longer to achieve. This rapid success was a testament to Kelly’s ability to build a competitive program, emphasizing discipline, structure, and high standards in all aspects of the program. The next step for Kelly is to build on that success and continue to develop a championship culture within the team.

Leadership Development and Culture Building

A critical part of Kelly’s work this offseason will be to further instill leadership and continuity throughout the roster. LSU’s success in 2023 was, in large part, due to the leadership of players like quarterback Jayden Daniels, safety Major Burns, and wide receiver Malik Nabers. For LSU to continue to grow and thrive, Kelly will need to ensure that these leaders are supported and that young players are groomed to assume key roles in future years.

This means that Kelly’s staff will need to continue developing the team’s leadership infrastructure, from captains to positional leaders, to ensure there’s consistency even as seniors move on to the NFL or graduation. The ability to sustain success year after year is largely dependent on having strong leadership across all levels, and Kelly must find ways to foster that leadership as the roster changes.

Kelly also must work to preserve the culture of discipline and accountability that has defined his coaching style. It’s clear that the team has bought into Kelly’s approach, but maintaining that focus, particularly as LSU continues to attract top-tier talent, will be key to remaining competitive.

2. Roster Development and Addressing Key Needs

Although LSU is a program brimming with talent, the offseason will involve addressing several key areas where improvements are needed to push the team to an elite level. The roster, while strong, has a few positions where more depth, development, or upgrades are necessary.

Defensive Line Depth and Pass Rush

LSU’s defensive line was solid in 2023 but failed to consistently dominate opponents in the way fans have become accustomed to. Players like Maason Smith, who missed a significant portion of the season due to injury, are vital to the defensive line’s success. However, Kelly will need to ensure there is depth behind Smith and others. With the loss of key players like Jaquelin Roy, LSU must find ways to retool the defensive line.

This offseason will likely see a focus on recruiting or adding talent via the transfer portal to help strengthen the defensive line. LSU will need to find both interior and edge rushers who can generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and be a force in both pass and run defense. Expect Kelly to target high-end defensive line recruits, as well as a few experienced players from the transfer portal who can contribute immediately.

Secondary: Safety and Cornerback Depth

The LSU secondary, though talented, showed vulnerability at times during the 2023 season. While cornerbacks like Mekhi Garner and freshmen like Denver Harris have shown promise, the Tigers’ safety position is an area that needs strengthening. With players like Jay Ward and Greg Brooks Jr. graduating or moving on, Kelly’s staff will have to find players who can step in and immediately contribute at the safety position. This might come in the form of recruits or transfers who can both cover and contribute to stopping the run.

At cornerback, LSU will need to continue developing players like Harris and others while ensuring there is enough depth. The Tigers’ defense is based on flexibility and matching up against multiple offensive schemes, and having versatile, skilled cornerbacks is crucial to that plan. Recruiting and the transfer portal will be key in this area to ensure LSU has a strong, balanced secondary.

Offensive Line Depth

While LSU has one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC in Jayden Daniels, the offensive line must continue to improve in order to provide him with the protection he needs to thrive. LSU’s offensive line, which had its ups and downs in 2023, will need to become more consistent in pass protection and more aggressive in creating running lanes for their stable of backs.

Kelly will need to address both depth and development on the offensive line. There is already talent on the roster, such as Will Campbell and Emery Jones, but these players will need to continue their development, and LSU will likely target a few key offensive line recruits or transfers to add depth. Offensive line play is one of the most crucial components of an elite football team, and Kelly’s ability to improve this unit will be a key factor in LSU’s continued success.

3. Utilizing the Transfer Portal

The transfer portal has become an essential tool for college football programs to reload and find instant contributors, and LSU has not shied away from using it to its advantage. Over the past two years, Kelly has been active in bringing in transfers who have helped immediately, such as linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. and wide receiver Malik Nabers. In 2024, LSU will likely continue this trend to fill any gaps in the roster.

Focus Areas in the Transfer Portal

• Defensive Line: As previously mentioned, LSU will likely use the transfer portal to add immediate help to the defensive line. The Tigers will need to bring in experienced players who can contribute right away, especially in the areas of pass rush and run defense.
• Secondary: With potential gaps in the safety and cornerback positions, LSU may target experienced defensive backs who have proven themselves at the college level. A safety with experience in a high-level program could be an ideal addition to shore up the back end of the defense.
• Wide Receiver: LSU has one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the SEC in Malik Nabers, but they could still use another reliable option to complement him. The transfer portal is a potential avenue for landing an experienced wideout who could make an immediate impact.

The transfer portal allows LSU to stay flexible in its roster-building strategy, and it could also provide the opportunity to bring in players who are already familiar with high-level competition and can contribute immediately.

4. Strengthening the Recruiting Class

Brian Kelly’s recruiting efforts have already yielded impressive results in his first few years at LSU, and he will continue to prioritize building a top-tier recruiting class. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any successful college football program, and LSU has the brand and facilities to compete with the best in the nation.

Recruiting Strategy

Kelly will focus on addressing the team’s needs in key areas such as the defensive line, secondary, and offensive line. LSU will also continue to target high-caliber quarterbacks and skill position players who can make an impact for years to come. Building depth and creating competition at every position is vital for sustaining success in the SEC.

Additionally, LSU will need to continue developing strong relationships with high school coaches, particularly in Louisiana, which produces some of the top talent in the country. Kelly has made it a priority to recruit the state of Louisiana, but he also knows that to compete at the highest level, he must go beyond the borders and attract national recruits.

5. Preseason Preparation and Adaptation of Schemes

As LSU moves closer to the 2024 season, the coaching staff will focus on preparing the team for the challenges that lie ahead. Brian Kelly has been known for adapting his schemes to fit the strengths of his players, and that approach will continue in the coming year.

• Offensive Scheme: With Jayden Daniels returning for another year, Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will have a chance to further tailor the offense to his strengths. The goal will be to continue to expand the offense’s dynamic playbook while maintaining balance and flexibility.
• Defensive Adjustments: The defense, led by coordinator Matt House, will need to remain aggressive and continue to evolve. LSU’s defensive line, linebackers, and secondary will all need to work in concert to ensure the defense remains disruptive and effective.

Conclusion

As Brian Kelly enters his fourth offseason at LSU, the foundation for success has already been laid. The Tigers have quickly become one of the most competitive teams in the SEC, and 2024 could see them reach even greater heights. To maintain momentum, Kelly must focus on roster development, improving depth in key areas, and adapting his schemes to maximize the talent available. Through a combination of solid recruiting, strategic use of the transfer portal, and continued development of players, LSU is well-positioned to compete for SEC championships and national titles in the years to come. The path forward is challenging but filled with opportunity, and Kelly’s leadership will be crucial as LSU football looks to solidify its place among the nation’s elite programs.