The Way-Too-Early 2025 College Football Rankings: Where Did LSU Football Land?
As the dust settles from the excitement of the 2024 college football season, the conversation inevitably shifts toward the future. What can we expect from college football in 2025? Who will rise to the top of the rankings, and which teams will be positioned for a shot at the national championship? The college football world never stops moving, and fans are already eager to see where their favorite teams will stand when the next season kicks off. For LSU Tigers football, the questions surrounding their place in the national picture in 2025 are plentiful—especially after a mixed 2024 season that saw ups and downs but also significant promise for the future.
When the Way-Too-Early 2025 College Football Rankings are revealed, LSU’s positioning in the list sparks a flurry of discussions, as the Tigers continue to make waves in the competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). Head coach Brian Kelly, who has only just begun to shape his vision for the program, has made significant strides in recruiting and development, making LSU a team that could quickly challenge for playoff spots in the coming years. With key players returning, including some exciting underclassmen, LSU’s future in college football looks bright. However, the question remains: how will the Tigers fare in 2025?
In this article, we’ll take a look at where LSU football lands in the Way-Too-Early rankings, analyze the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and break down why they could be one of the top teams in the nation—or why they may need a little more time before reaching the pinnacle.
LSU’s Place in the Way-Too-Early 2025 Rankings
The Way-Too-Early 2025 College Football Rankings are speculative at best, offering a glimpse into what experts and analysts think teams could look like in the upcoming season. These rankings tend to be based on returning talent, coaching stability, recruiting classes, and the trajectory of the program. Despite the uncertainties that come with the offseason, LSU finds itself positioned in the Top 10 for the upcoming season by many major outlets.
LSU’s spot in the rankings reflects a lot of optimism about the Tigers’ potential heading into 2025, but there are also significant questions that need to be addressed before they can contend for a national championship. Here’s a breakdown of where LSU stands and why they find themselves where they do:
- ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Ranking: LSU is slotted at No. 8, a nod to the Tigers’ consistent competitiveness within the SEC, their talented roster, and the steady hand of Brian Kelly at the helm.
- CBS Sports: LSU comes in at No. 7, following a strong finish to the 2024 season and with high expectations for 2025, especially with top recruits joining the team.
- 247Sports: LSU ranks No. 6 in their early rankings, highlighting the impressive recruiting class that Kelly has brought in, especially on the defensive side of the ball, which is expected to be a major strength.
- Bleacher Report: LSU sits at No. 9, reflecting the balance of their offense and defense and the returning talent that will keep them competitive in the SEC.
Why LSU Is Positioned for Success in 2025
Several factors contribute to LSU’s positioning in the Top 10 for 2025, including their talent pool, coaching staff, and the foundation they’ve built over the past few years. Let’s break down some of the key reasons why LSU is considered a top contender in college football for 2025:
1. Quarterback Play: Jayden Daniels’ Potential Breakout Year
One of the biggest factors in LSU’s promising future is the development of quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been a solid and reliable leader for the Tigers since transferring to LSU. In 2024, Daniels made significant strides under Brian Kelly and showed he could be a dual-threat quarterback capable of beating teams with his arm and his legs. His playmaking ability and experience are critical for LSU’s success in 2025, as Daniels looks set to return for his final season in Baton Rouge.
Daniels’ leadership and ability to create plays in both the air and on the ground make him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the SEC. In 2024, he had 3,600 passing yards, 35 total touchdowns, and led LSU to several key victories, including an impressive win over rival Alabama. If Daniels can improve his consistency and reduce mistakes, LSU will have one of the top quarterbacks in the country heading into 2025.
2. Impressive Recruiting Classes Under Brian Kelly
Since taking over as head coach, Brian Kelly has put together some of the best recruiting classes in LSU history. In 2025, the Tigers will benefit from a Top 5 class that is loaded with talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. LSU’s ability to recruit elite players to Baton Rouge has always been a hallmark of the program, and Kelly has continued that tradition, bringing in highly regarded prospects at virtually every position.
Defensive players like Zy Alexander, a top-tier cornerback, and Jaxon Howard, a highly ranked linebacker, will join the Tigers in 2025 and immediately make an impact on a defense that was already one of the best in the SEC in 2024. The addition of these highly rated recruits gives LSU a talent pipeline that will help them compete with the top teams in the country, especially in the trenches and in the secondary, where they could develop into one of the nation’s elite defenses.
Additionally, Kelly has stocked LSU’s wide receiver group with elite talent, including 5-star recruit Rickey Collins at quarterback and Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. returning for another year. These players, coupled with a loaded offensive line, make LSU’s offense extremely dangerous, setting them up to potentially challenge for the title in 2025.
3. Return of Key Veterans
LSU benefits from the return of several key veterans who will be critical to their success in 2025. Mekhi Wingo, a standout defensive tackle, is expected to anchor LSU’s defense and help stop the run while providing pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The LSU offensive line, which was a strength in 2024, also returns several experienced players, providing stability and protection for Daniels.
On offense, wide receiver Malik Nabers is expected to return as the Tigers’ top target, while running back Noah Cain gives LSU a proven playmaker in the backfield. These experienced players, combined with the younger recruits, make LSU a well-rounded team capable of competing with anyone in the SEC.
4. SEC Rivalries and the Challenge of the Conference
LSU’s place in the SEC is always a major factor in their potential success. The SEC is widely regarded as the toughest and most competitive conference in college football, with teams like Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee consistently vying for championship contention. However, LSU has shown time and time again that they can compete with the best teams in the conference. Under Brian Kelly, the Tigers have become more consistent and poised, and they will be battle-tested in what is always a brutal SEC schedule.
The SEC will once again be stacked in 2025, but LSU has proven they can compete with the best. They will face a tough slate of games, but if they can emerge from the conference with only one or two losses, they will be in a great position to make the College Football Playoff.
5. Brian Kelly’s Leadership and Coaching Stability
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of LSU’s 2025 ranking is the stability brought by Brian Kelly as head coach. In just a few seasons, Kelly has turned LSU into a perennial contender, instilling a level of discipline, organization, and consistency that was sometimes lacking in the past. Kelly’s experience at Notre Dame, where he consistently led the Fighting Irish to high-level bowl games, has proven invaluable for LSU as they navigate the challenging SEC.
Kelly is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks and improve his teams over time, and with a full season to prepare, LSU will be one of the more well-coached teams in college football in 2025. His ability to keep the Tigers focused on their goals will be critical as LSU pursues another SEC championship and a potential national title.
Challenges for LSU in 2025
While LSU has plenty of positives heading into 2025, there are some challenges they will need to overcome if they hope to reach the College Football Playoff and contend for a national championship.
- Defensive Inconsistencies: While LSU’s defense has improved under Kelly, there were moments in 2024 when they struggled to contain high-powered offenses, especially through the air. The Tigers will need to tighten up their secondary and make sure they can compete with the explosive offenses in the SEC, such as Alabama and Georgia.
- Tough SEC Schedule: LSU’s path to a national title won’t be easy, as they must face a loaded SEC West, including the perennial powerhouse Alabama Crimson Tide and the rising Arkansas Razorbacks. If LSU stumbles in any of their SEC matchups, it could be a long road to the playoff.
- Quarterback Consistency: Jayden Daniels is an incredibly talented quarterback, but his consistency has been a concern at times. LSU will need him to take another step forward in 2025, reducing mistakes and making the right decisions in big moments.
Conclusion: LSU’s Path to a National Championship in 2025
The Way-Too-Early 2025 rankings place LSU among the top teams in college football, and with good reason. The Tigers have a talented roster, an elite quarterback, a strong recruiting class, and a coach who knows how to win big games. While there are challenges ahead, LSU’s foundation is solid, and they are poised for success in the coming years.
LSU football is on the rise, and while 2025 may be the year they finally break through and claim another national title, it will require focus, determination, and execution. With Brian Kelly at the helm and a roster stacked with talent, LSU’s future in college football looks incredibly promising. As the 2025 season draws nearer, LSU fans have a lot to be excited about, knowing their Tigers could be on the verge of greatness once again.
