LSU’s Rollercoaster 2024 Season: A Look Ahead to 2025 and Brian Kelly’s Vision
LSU football fans, we get it—you’re still licking your wounds from that rough close to the 2024 season. The hype was real. Starting 6-1 had many of us dreaming of the playoffs, fueled by the impressive performances of Garrett Nussmeier under center. The Tigers had the swagger, the offense was firing, and everything seemed to be heading toward a championship-caliber season. But then came the reality check: a brutal three-game losing streak to close out the regular season, and just like that, a promising year turned into a 9-4 finish.
That record? Yeah, it’s not cutting it for a program like LSU, especially when the playoffs are supposed to be the goal every year. SEC football is a different beast, and for a school with a championship pedigree, anything less than a shot at the big dance feels like a letdown. So, the feeling in Baton Rouge right now is a little bit of frustration, disappointment, and probably a lot of “What could have been?”
But here’s the thing, LSU fans: don’t sleep on Brian Kelly just yet. Sure, the team fell short of expectations in 2024, but that doesn’t mean Kelly’s era is over. In fact, he’s just getting started—and his recent moves in the transfer portal suggest that LSU’s best days under Kelly might be coming sooner than we think.
The Brian Kelly Era: A Rough Start, But Big Moves Ahead
Yes, the critics have come out in full force. After failing to make the playoffs, Brian Kelly is facing some hard questions. Pat Forde, on The College Football Enquirer, didn’t mince words: “This year was not good enough by LSU standards. The Brian Kelly era hasn’t been good enough by LSU standards.” That’s a tough pill to swallow, but let’s be real: he’s not wrong. LSU is a program that doesn’t have time to be satisfied with mediocrity. It’s all about championships, and 9-4 isn’t going to cut it in Baton Rouge.
But before we go all doom and gloom, let’s pump the brakes a bit. Dan Wetzel provided a more balanced take, pointing out that LSU is still in a good spot under Kelly: “They’ve got a number of top 100 players… LSU might be disappointing to a degree, but that’s by the standards of the program under Brian Kelly.” What Wetzel is getting at is simple—LSU might not have lived up to the highest expectations in 2024, but under Kelly, they’re still playing at a high level, and they’ve got the talent to get back into the playoff hunt sooner rather than later.
Here’s why LSU isn’t out of it yet, and why Brian Kelly’s program is still on the rise.
The Transfer Portal: Brian Kelly’s Secret Weapon
If there’s one thing Brian Kelly has proven, it’s that he’s a master at adapting to the new realities of college football. The transfer portal is now one of the most powerful tools for building a championship team, and Kelly is using it like a surgeon’s scalpel to fine-tune LSU’s roster.
In December 2024, LSU nailed the transfer portal, landing top-tier talent that will pay immediate dividends for the team in 2025. Kelly didn’t just dip his toes in the portal—he went all in, bringing in Patrick Payton from Florida State, Mansoor Delane from Virginia Tech, and Nic Anderson from Oklahoma. These guys bring serious SEC-level talent, and they’re exactly what LSU needs to get over the hump in 2025. They’re experienced, they’ve seen top-level competition, and now they’re coming to Baton Rouge to help put LSU back in the title conversation.
And it’s not just about these big-name transfers. LSU’s staff is also building depth, grabbing guys who can come in and contribute right away. With the loss of several key players, including Jalen Lee and Kimo Makaneole on the defensive line, Kelly has had to plug those holes quickly. The good news? He’s got a plan.
LSU’s defense has always been the heart and soul of the program, and Kelly knows that getting the right mix of youth and experience is essential to having a championship-caliber team. The recent additions from the portal give LSU an opportunity to reload without taking a step back. For a team that was already stacked with talent, these moves are exactly what LSU needs to stay ahead of the competition.
Recruiting: A Foundation Built for Success
While the transfer portal is an immediate fix, Kelly and LSU are also continuing to build a long-term foundation with elite recruiting. The Tigers’ class of 2024 still had a lot of impressive pieces, and Kelly’s ability to recruit at the highest level will pay off in the long run. LSU’s defense is loaded with potential, and the offense, led by Garrett Nussmeier, still has the firepower to make noise in the SEC.
Kelly has already proven he can bring in top-tier talent. Players like Harold Perkins, Mekhi Wingo, and Will Campbell are building blocks for LSU’s future. But what really sets Kelly apart is his ability to balance this with experienced transfers, creating a roster that’s capable of winning now while also positioning LSU for future success.
Looking Ahead: LSU’s 2025 Season and Playoff Hopes
As much as fans are still reeling from the end of 2024, it’s important to remember that LSU’s future is bright. Missing the playoffs was a gut punch, but this program has a proven winner in Brian Kelly, and he’s not about to let one rough season define the trajectory of LSU football.
The addition of key transfer portal players and the continued development of their high school recruits means that 2025 could be LSU’s bounce-back year. With an experienced quarterback like Nussmeier leading the offense and a defense that’s got some serious firepower, the Tigers are well-equipped to make another run at the SEC Championship and a potential playoff berth.
If there’s one thing LSU fans know, it’s that the program can bounce back from disappointment. The SEC is tough, but LSU has the resources, the coaching, and the talent to compete with anyone in the country. While 2024 didn’t live up to expectations, Brian Kelly and the Tigers have everything they need to come out swinging in 2025.
Final Thoughts: Patience and Perspective
It’s easy to get caught up in the short-term frustration, but LSU fans should keep the bigger picture in mind. The Brian Kelly era is still in its early stages, and despite the bumps along the way, he’s showing that he can recruit and build a championship contender. LSU’s success in the transfer portal is a big part of that, and if Kelly can continue to add pieces to his roster, the Tigers are set to return to the top of the SEC in the coming seasons.
2024 might have been a tough pill to swallow, but LSU isn’t out of the race just yet. With the right moves in the portal, key recruits stepping up, and Brian Kelly continuing to build his vision for the program, 2025 could very well be the year LSU fans have been waiting for.
