“Identity is a question mark”: CFB Insider analyzes LSU’s preparation for the 2025 season and Brian Kelly’s

As college football programs across the country gear up for the 2025 season, LSU is facing a crucial chapter in its storied history. The LSU Tigers, under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly, are navigating a period of significant change and transition, which has raised several key questions about the program’s future. The 2025 season is poised to be a defining moment for LSU football, with the team’s identity still a work in progress and several important decisions to be made. Brian Kelly’s leadership will be critical in determining whether LSU can continue to build upon its recent successes or if the program will face growing pains as it adjusts to new challenges and personnel changes.

The question mark surrounding LSU’s identity going into the 2025 season is not just about its on-field style of play but also about how the team will respond to a new era of college football. With the changing landscape of the sport, including conference realignment, shifting recruiting trends, and evolving coaching strategies, LSU is at a crossroads. As they move into a new chapter under Brian Kelly, the Tigers must define what they stand for and how they want to approach the game in the years to come.

In this analysis, we’ll explore the current state of LSU football, the challenges the team faces as it heads into the 2025 season, and the key decisions that Brian Kelly will need to make in order to solidify the Tigers’ identity moving forward. From roster changes to coaching strategies, we’ll examine what LSU’s preparation for 2025 looks like and how Kelly plans to position the program for success.

Brian Kelly’s Legacy at LSU: Establishing a Foundation

When Brian Kelly was hired as the head coach of LSU in 2022, there were high expectations for the seasoned coach to bring stability and success to a program that had seen its fair share of ups and downs in recent years. Kelly, who had built a long and successful career at Notre Dame, was seen as the right leader to take LSU back to championship contention. His track record of sustained success, both in the regular season and bowl games, made him a highly sought-after hire, and many believed he could replicate that success in Baton Rouge.

In his first season, Kelly made an immediate impact by leading LSU to a 10-4 record, including a dramatic victory in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue. The Tigers were competitive in the SEC, and the team showed flashes of brilliance, especially with quarterback Jayden Daniels, who became one of the most exciting players in the conference. The 2023 season was a significant step forward, but there were also noticeable growing pains as Kelly continued to instill his culture and system.

Heading into the 2025 season, Kelly is now in his fourth year at the helm, and expectations are higher than ever. The 2025 season represents a critical juncture for Kelly and the LSU program. While LSU has a rich football tradition, the college football landscape has changed significantly since Kelly’s arrival. The conference realignment with the SEC expanding to include teams like Texas and Oklahoma means that LSU will face even tougher competition. The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era continues to reshape recruiting, and college football is more of a nationalized sport than ever before. As a result, Kelly’s ability to adapt to these changes and establish LSU’s identity in this new environment will be vital to the Tigers’ future success.

The Identity Question: Offense, Defense, and Team Culture

One of the biggest questions heading into the 2025 season is what LSU’s identity will be, both on offense and defense. Brian Kelly’s background as a coach known for his offensive prowess is evident, but LSU has historically been known for its powerhouse defense, especially under former coaches like Nick Saban and Les Miles. The Tigers have often relied on a ferocious defense to complement a balanced offensive attack. Under Kelly, however, LSU’s offense has taken on a new identity, with a focus on dynamic playmakers and a spread system designed to take advantage of the athleticism on the roster.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who played a significant role in LSU’s success in 2023, will return for the 2025 season. His dual-threat ability, combined with his leadership and maturity, makes him one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC and a key piece of LSU’s offensive identity. In 2023, Daniels was electric, showcasing his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. His development under Kelly’s system will be a focal point of the 2025 season, and how LSU’s offense evolves around him will help define the team’s overall identity.

Kelly’s offensive scheme is likely to continue its emphasis on up-tempo, high-scoring games, which has become a hallmark of his coaching style. However, with a new set of wide receivers coming into the fold, the chemistry between Daniels and his weapons will be vital. LSU will need to find consistency in the passing game, with questions surrounding the wide receiver position being a major storyline heading into 2025. Players like Malik Nabers, who had a breakout 2023 season, will be relied upon to lead the charge. The Tigers will also need to develop a deep receiving corps, as LSU has seen a departure of key contributors over the past few seasons.

On the defensive side of the ball, LSU’s identity has been less clear. Under defensive coordinator Matt House, the Tigers have shown flashes of dominance but have also struggled at times with consistency. In the SEC, where high-powered offenses are the norm, LSU’s defense will need to step up and prove that it can shut down elite teams, especially those like Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. The Tigers have talent on that side of the ball, with standout players like Harold Perkins, who emerged as one of the most dynamic defenders in college football. However, the defense as a whole will need to be more disciplined and cohesive to compete at the highest level.

The development of LSU’s defense will be crucial to the team’s success in 2025, as the Tigers will need to balance the high-scoring offense with a defense that can hold its own against top-tier SEC competition. As the SEC becomes more offensive-oriented, finding that balance will be a defining aspect of LSU’s preparation for the season.

Recruiting and Player Development: The Bedrock of Success

Another significant factor in determining LSU’s identity is the team’s recruiting efforts. Brian Kelly has made recruiting a major priority during his time at LSU, and it has already begun to pay dividends. The 2024 recruiting class was one of the strongest in the nation, and LSU is positioned to continue attracting top-tier talent. However, as the landscape of college football changes with NIL deals and the transfer portal, recruiting is becoming even more competitive.

One of the most important elements of Kelly’s strategy is his focus on player development. While recruiting elite talent is essential, it is just as important to develop those players into future stars. Kelly’s experience in molding players at Notre Dame will be critical in ensuring that LSU’s young players reach their full potential. The Tigers will need to continue to develop their quarterback, offensive line, and defensive units in a way that sets them up for long-term success.

LSU has also capitalized on the transfer portal, which allows programs to plug gaps in their roster with experienced players who can make an immediate impact. The portal has become an integral part of college football recruiting, and LSU has been adept at using it to bolster its roster. However, Kelly will need to ensure that the integration of transfer players doesn’t disrupt the team’s culture and chemistry, as building a strong locker room environment will be crucial for long-term success.

Brian Kelly’s Leadership: Shaping LSU’s Future

As LSU prepares for the 2025 season, Brian Kelly’s leadership will be the driving force behind the team’s ability to establish its identity. Kelly’s experience as a head coach, combined with his understanding of the intricacies of college football, gives him the tools to navigate the challenges ahead. However, there are still questions about how he will adjust to the evolving landscape of the sport, including the impact of NIL, the transfer portal, and the increasing pressure to win immediately.

For Kelly, the 2025 season will be about balancing the program’s rich history with the realities of modern college football. LSU has always been a program that expects championships, and anything less than a strong playoff push in 2025 will be seen as a disappointment. At the same time, Kelly will need to continue building a sustainable program that can compete year in and year out, rather than relying on short-term success.

In the end, the identity of LSU football under Brian Kelly will be shaped by a combination of factors: the development of key players, the evolution of the offensive and defensive schemes, the ability to recruit and retain top talent, and Kelly’s leadership both on and off the field. The 2025 season is set to be a defining moment for LSU, and how the Tigers respond to the challenges ahead will determine their place in the college football landscape for years to come.