In the world of college football, recruiting is often the key that unlocks a team’s success. While game-day coaching, strategic planning, and on-field execution are essential, none of those can happen without the foundational building blocks that come from a top-tier recruiting class. This is why, when Brian Kelly took over as head coach of LSU, the expectations surrounding his ability to elevate the program to national prominence were high. Fast forward to 2025, and Brian Kelly and his staff have delivered in a big way.
After a transformative stretch on the recruiting trail, Kelly’s LSU Tigers now stand proudly at the top of the college football recruiting rankings with the No. 1 overall class in the nation. This achievement is not just a testament to Kelly’s recruiting acumen but also to the broader vision he has for rebuilding LSU into an annual title contender. With a combination of elite in-state talent, national stars, and key out-of-state pickups, Kelly and the Tigers have assembled a class that has set the college football world abuzz.
This article will explore the key factors behind LSU’s surge to the No. 1 recruiting class, highlighting the players, the strategy, and the pivotal stretch of recruiting that has allowed Kelly and his staff to gain a firm hold on the future of the LSU football program. From key commitments to the broader philosophy behind the recruiting process, LSU is laying the foundation for sustained success that could bring them back to the pinnacle of college football.
Brian Kelly’s Approach: A Vision for Excellence
Brian Kelly, who took over the LSU program ahead of the 2022 season, arrived with a reputation for transforming programs into championship-caliber contenders. His work at Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to multiple College Football Playoff appearances, demonstrated his ability to recruit and develop talent. However, what made Kelly’s transition to LSU so intriguing was his ability to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Bayou, where LSU has long been known for its talent-rich recruiting base in the state of Louisiana.
When Kelly arrived at LSU, he was stepping into a program that had faced some turbulence following the departure of former head coach Ed Orgeron. Despite winning a national championship in 2019, LSU had fallen into a period of instability in the years that followed, leading to Orgeron’s eventual exit. Kelly was tasked with rebuilding the program both on and off the field. He wasted no time in emphasizing the importance of recruiting and establishing relationships with high school coaches, players, and families across Louisiana and beyond.
Kelly’s strategy was simple but effective: recruit the best talent in the state first, then cast a wide net nationally to secure the best players the program could attract. In his first two years, Kelly quickly built a reputation for being a disciplined, meticulous recruiter, and his emphasis on relationships with recruits and their families began to pay dividends almost immediately.
In just a few short years, Kelly transformed LSU’s recruiting trajectory, and 2025 is the culmination of that vision. With a top-ranked class, Kelly has shown that LSU can once again compete with the best programs in the country on the recruiting trail.
The Key Pivotal Stretch: Securing Top-Tier Talent
While Kelly’s recruiting efforts have been consistent since his arrival, it was a specific stretch of time during the 2024 and early 2025 recruiting cycles that truly pushed LSU to the top of the rankings. That pivotal stretch included a mix of in-state commitments, national recruits, and key position groups that would solidify the foundation for a championship-contending program.
1. In-State Dominance: Keeping Louisiana Talent at Home
One of the most critical aspects of LSU’s recruiting success has been Kelly’s ability to lock down the elite talent within the state of Louisiana. Historically, LSU has been a powerhouse in recruiting in-state players, and Kelly made it clear from the start that keeping Louisiana’s top talent at home would be a priority.
During this pivotal recruiting stretch, LSU secured commitments from several of the state’s top high school prospects. Chief among these commitments was five-star quarterback prospect Jalen McMillian, a player whose recruitment was a rollercoaster ride that included offers from some of the nation’s elite programs. However, McMillian, a native of Baton Rouge, had deep ties to LSU and ultimately chose to stay home, committing to Kelly’s program in the fall of 2024.
McMillian’s commitment was massive for LSU for several reasons. First, as the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2025 class, he brings a rare combination of size, athleticism, and arm strength that could potentially reshape the Tigers’ offense. Secondly, McMillian’s decision to stay home sent a strong message to other top Louisiana recruits that LSU was once again the program of choice for in-state talent.
But McMillian wasn’t the only significant in-state commitment. Derrick Edwards, a five-star wide receiver from New Orleans, also committed to LSU, ensuring that the Tigers would have an elite target to pair with McMillian in the future. Edwards, known for his blazing speed and elite ball skills, was coveted by every major program in the country, but the strong relationship he had with Kelly and the LSU staff proved to be a difference-maker.
In total, LSU secured a remarkable nine top-10 in-state prospects, reinforcing the idea that LSU was again the state’s team. These in-state commitments created a solid backbone for the Tigers’ recruiting class, ensuring that LSU would have the talent to compete at the highest level.
2. National Recruits: Expanding LSU’s Reach
While in-state recruiting was vital, Kelly also worked diligently to secure top national recruits to complement the homegrown talent. His staff identified several key out-of-state players who could come in and immediately contribute to LSU’s championship aspirations.
One of the biggest national gets for LSU was Tyler Simmons, a five-star linebacker from California. Simmons was heavily recruited by schools like Alabama and Ohio State, but his relationship with Kelly and defensive coordinator Matt House played a huge role in his decision to commit to LSU. Simmons, an explosive sideline-to-sideline linebacker, immediately bolstered LSU’s defense and provided another building block for the team’s future.
Another significant national commitment was Chase Foster, a four-star offensive tackle from Georgia. With a class that already boasted a star quarterback and wide receiver, securing Foster was crucial for the Tigers’ long-term success, especially in the trenches. Foster’s versatility and elite footwork will allow LSU to develop a dominant offensive line, something that is essential for success in the SEC.
These national recruits showed that Kelly’s influence on the recruiting trail reached far beyond Louisiana. His ability to recruit across the country was vital in making LSU’s 2025 class one of the most well-rounded in recent memory.
3. Position Groups of Need: Building a Championship-Roster
Another key to LSU’s success on the recruiting trail was their ability to target and secure key positions that would make an immediate impact. For years, LSU has been known for its elite defense, and Kelly’s staff worked tirelessly to make sure the Tigers would continue that tradition.
The defensive line was one area where LSU secured some critical commitments. Aaron McPherson, a five-star defensive tackle from Florida, was one of the top players on the Tigers’ board. McPherson, a dominant force in the trenches, is expected to come in and immediately compete for a starting spot. His ability to control the line of scrimmage will provide LSU with a player capable of disrupting opposing offenses and controlling the flow of the game.
On the offensive side, the Tigers focused heavily on their receiving corps, aiming to provide their quarterbacks with a group of elite playmakers. The combination of Edwards and other talented wide receivers like Keon Mason (a four-star from Texas) and Javon Richardson (a four-star from Alabama) will give LSU the tools necessary to build a dynamic and potent offense in the coming years.
Kelly’s recruiting staff showed a deep understanding of the importance of building a balanced, championship-caliber roster by addressing these key areas of need.
4. The Role of NIL in LSU’s Success
In 2025, one of the most significant factors influencing recruiting was the presence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Kelly and LSU made it clear that they would fully embrace NIL, providing recruits with opportunities to capitalize on their brand and generate income while playing at a program that is committed to winning at the highest level.
LSU’s proximity to major media markets like New Orleans, Houston, and Dallas has allowed the school to leverage these NIL opportunities to attract recruits. The program’s commitment to providing athletes with the resources to maximize their NIL potential played a key role in their ability to lock down some of the nation’s top prospects.
Building for a National Championship
As Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers continue to build on the success of their 2025 recruiting class, it’s clear that the program is poised to compete for championships in the coming years. With a mix of elite in-state talent, top-tier national recruits, and a clear vision for the future, Kelly has positioned LSU as one of the most dangerous programs in college football.
The work done by Kelly and his recruiting staff in 2024 and early 2025 has re-established LSU as a force on the national recruiting stage. With a No. 1-ranked class, LSU is primed for success and has all the pieces in place to challenge for the national championship for years to come. As the recruits begin to arrive on campus and get to work, one thing is clear: LSU is back at the top, and the future is incredibly bright under Brian Kelly’s leadership.