When Brian Kelly accepted the head coaching job at LSU in December 2021, the hire was met with mixed reactions. Some questioned his cultural fit in Baton Rouge, while others recognized his winning pedigree from Notre Dame. Now entering his fourth season at the helm of the LSU Tigers, Kelly is at a pivotal moment. With a mix of veteran talent, elite young recruits, and renewed hunger, his LSU squad is being widely considered college football’s ultimate dark horse heading into the 2025 season.
The label “dark horse” isn’t one LSU fans are used to. The Tigers are a traditional powerhouse, with three national championships in the 21st century. But the post-Joe Burrow era has seen inconsistency, including coaching changes and underwhelming defensive play. Yet in 2025, something feels different. Behind the scenes, LSU is building a contender that could surprise the nation.
1. Brian Kelly’s Reboot: Building the Program His Way
When Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge, he inherited a roster thin on depth and reeling from internal turmoil. LSU had lost its swagger. Kelly’s first goal wasn’t winning a national title—it was building the foundation. That meant recruiting high-character players, revamping the strength and conditioning program, and bringing structure to a program that desperately needed it.
The early returns were promising. LSU won the SEC West in Kelly’s first year in 2022 and finished 10-4. The 2023 and 2024 campaigns produced mixed results, mostly due to a porous defense and lack of continuity at key positions. But entering 2025, Kelly finally has a team that reflects his long-term vision: tough, deep, and balanced.
2. Garrett Nussmeier: The Next Star at Quarterback
Jayden Daniels’ exit for the NFL left big shoes to fill. The 2023 Heisman winner carried the Tigers to several high-scoring shootouts, and his absence raised questions about LSU’s offensive future. Enter Garrett Nussmeier, the long-awaited heir apparent.
After several seasons waiting in the wings, Nussmeier is now the man under center. He’s not a dual-threat quarterback like Daniels, but he brings a different dynamic—a classic gunslinger with elite arm talent and bold decision-making. In LSU’s 2024 bowl game, he showcased his readiness with a near-perfect performance against Wisconsin, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.
Nussmeier’s chemistry with LSU’s new-look receiver group will be vital. Gone are Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., both top-50 NFL Draft picks. Replacing them is a talented but unproven group led by Barion Brown, a dynamic transfer from Kentucky known for his speed and return ability. Young talents like Trey’Dez Green, the freakishly athletic tight end, and Khamauri Rogers also project as key contributors.
Kelly believes Nussmeier’s leadership and maturity will steady the ship. “He’s waited his turn,” Kelly said this spring. “Now it’s his team.”
3. An Elite Offensive Line Anchors the Tigers
One area where LSU has arguably its best unit in years is the offensive line. Kelly, a former offensive line coach himself, has emphasized building from the trenches, and 2025’s group could be the program’s best since the 2019 championship team.
Returning are bookend tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr., both multi-year starters with All-SEC potential. At center, Marlon Martinez provides experience and leadership. The interior guard spots will be manned by physical, nasty linemen like Zalance Heard, a former five-star recruit who is finally living up to his potential.
This line will not only protect Nussmeier but also open holes for a running back committee that includes Kaleb Jackson, Trey Holly, and Caden Durham, the latter of whom may be the most explosive of the group. The offense may look different without Daniels’ improvisational heroics, but it could be more balanced and efficient.
4. The Defense: From Liability to Strength?
If LSU is to make a legitimate playoff run in 2025, the defense must finally catch up with the offense.
The 2023 and 2024 units were among the worst in school history statistically. LSU allowed nearly 30 points per game and often looked lost in coverage. Kelly knew changes were needed. He hired Blake Baker as the new defensive coordinator, and the early results are promising.
Baker has installed an aggressive, attacking scheme that better suits LSU’s athletes. The centerpiece remains Harold Perkins Jr., the All-American linebacker who thrives when allowed to play freely. After being misused in a traditional linebacker role in 2023, Perkins is now back to doing what he does best—disrupting the quarterback and wreaking havoc.
The defensive line, once a question mark, is now a strength. Maason Smith, once a top recruit hampered by injuries, is finally healthy and paired with Dominick McKinley, a five-star freshman with NFL tools. On the edge, Bradyn Swinson returns after a breakout season, giving LSU a pass rush it hasn’t had in years.
The secondary is still young but features emerging stars like Zy Alexander and Javien Toviano. Safety Ryan Yaites, another sophomore standout, is expected to take on a leadership role.
5. Special Teams and Intangibles
LSU’s special teams in recent years have been inconsistent, but 2025 brings optimism. Damian Ramos returns as a steady kicker, and Jay Bramblett gives the Tigers one of the best punters in the SEC.
The return game will be boosted by Barion Brown, who was electric on special teams at Kentucky and could flip field position with one cut. Field position battles will be crucial in close SEC contests, and LSU finally has the personnel to win them.
But the biggest X-factor may be LSU’s newfound maturity and unity. After years of up-and-down culture, Kelly has created a locker room defined by accountability and toughness. The players speak openly about competing for championships, not just making noise.
6. A Manageable but Tricky Schedule
LSU’s 2025 schedule is no cakewalk, but it’s navigable. The Tigers open against Clemson in a marquee non-conference showdown that could set the tone for the season. After that, they face a mix of home games and road tests, including:
- At Florida
- Home vs. Oklahoma
- At South Carolina
- Home vs. Alabama
- At Texas A&M
Unlike previous years, LSU won’t face Georgia unless it’s in the SEC Championship. That could work in their favor if they gain momentum during the heart of SEC play.
Kelly has made no secret that the goal is the College Football Playoff. “We’re not sneaking up on anybody,” he said recently. “We know what we’re capable of.”
7. National Media Take Notice
While LSU isn’t a top-five preseason pick, several analysts have pegged them as a dark horse to watch. ESPN’s David Pollack called them “the most dangerous non-top-five team” in the country. The Athletic ranked them No. 9 in its latest power poll and noted their “explosive upside if the defense holds.”
Even critics admit the pieces are there. Elite quarterback play, a dominant offensive line, a reinvigorated defense, and a culture that’s finally stable—those are the ingredients of a playoff team.
8. What Would Success Look Like?
Realistically, a 10-2 regular season and an SEC Championship Game appearance would mark a breakthrough for Kelly. But in a 12-team College Football Playoff era, a two-loss SEC team can absolutely get in.
If LSU makes the playoff and wins at least one game, it would cement Kelly’s place as the long-term answer in Baton Rouge. More importantly, it would restore LSU’s place at the table among college football’s elite.
