A prominent college football writer has declared LSU a playoff contender in 2025, citing the team’s strong potential and recruiting momentum.

The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. As the landscape of the sport continues to evolve with changes in playoff formats, conference realignments, and recruiting trends, teams across the country are jockeying for position as the national championship contenders. Among the teams that are expected to make a significant impact, the LSU Tigers have emerged as a serious playoff contender, with a prominent college football writer calling them a strong playoff team for the upcoming season.

This proclamation has sparked excitement among LSU fans and college football observers alike, but what exactly makes LSU a potential playoff contender? In this piece, we will explore the reasons behind the optimism surrounding LSU’s 2025 season, including their strong recruiting momentum, coaching stability, player development, and the broader context of college football in the coming years.

LSU’s Recruiting Success Under Brian Kelly

One of the key reasons why LSU is viewed as a playoff contender is the success the program has experienced in recruiting. Under head coach Brian Kelly, who took over the Tigers in 2022, LSU has seen a resurgence in terms of player talent, bringing in some of the top high school recruits and transfers in the country. Kelly, who has a proven track record of success at Notre Dame, has utilized his experience and coaching acumen to build a recruiting pipeline that is rivaling some of the nation’s best programs.

In particular, LSU’s recruiting has been marked by a focus on elite talent in key positions—such as quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back—that will be crucial for competing at the highest level. With top recruits continuing to commit to LSU, including five-star players like offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and skill players, the team’s roster depth is expected to be at an all-time high in 2025.

Kelly’s ability to build relationships with recruits has also paid off in the form of strong early commitments for the 2025 and 2026 classes. His emphasis on player development, coupled with his leadership style, has resonated with athletes across the country, and this momentum is expected to pay dividends in the upcoming season.

Quarterback Play: A Key Factor for LSU’s Success

While recruiting has played a significant role in LSU’s resurgence, one of the most important factors in determining the team’s playoff aspirations is quarterback play. Historically, LSU has had a strong tradition of producing top-tier quarterbacks—such as Joe Burrow, who led the team to a national title in 2019—but the position has been inconsistent in recent years.

However, with the 2025 season on the horizon, LSU is poised to have one of the most talented quarterbacks in the SEC. The Tigers are expected to feature either Garrett Nussmeier, a promising young quarterback with a cannon arm, or Jayden Daniels, who has proven to be a dual-threat quarterback capable of leading LSU’s offense with both his legs and his arm.

Nussmeier, who has shown flashes of brilliance, has the potential to take a massive step forward in 2025. His ability to make all the throws, combined with his growing comfort in LSU’s offensive system, makes him a strong candidate to lead the Tigers. Meanwhile, Daniels has shown tremendous growth as a dual-threat quarterback, and his experience could be invaluable as LSU navigates a challenging SEC schedule. Regardless of who wins the starting job, LSU has a dynamic signal-caller capable of guiding the team through a tough season.

A standout quarterback is a critical component of any playoff team, and LSU appears to have the personnel at this position to make a serious run. Both Nussmeier and Daniels possess the skill set to excel in LSU’s high-powered offense, and their ability to minimize turnovers and make big plays when needed will be a deciding factor in the Tigers’ quest for a playoff berth.

A Dynamic and Talented Offensive Line

Another area where LSU stands out as a playoff contender is the strength of their offensive line. In modern college football, the ability to control the line of scrimmage is a significant factor in achieving success, and LSU’s offensive line is expected to be one of the best in the country in 2025. The Tigers have brought in top-tier recruits and transfers to bolster their offensive front, and the depth they have at the position is impressive.

The offensive line is key to both the running game and the passing game, as it creates holes for running backs and gives quarterbacks the time they need to make plays downfield. With an elite offensive line, LSU will have the luxury of running the ball effectively and creating balance on offense, which is essential for sustaining long drives and wearing down opposing defenses.

In addition to their impressive recruiting at the position, LSU has one of the most experienced offensive line coaches in the country, which has helped the Tigers develop their talent on the line year in and year out. With this combination of talent and coaching, LSU’s offensive line is poised to dominate in 2025, providing the foundation for their playoff aspirations.

Defensive Prowess: A Defensive Line That Strikes Fear in Opponents

While offense is important, defense is often what separates good teams from great teams, and LSU has a history of fielding elite defensive units. In 2025, LSU’s defense is expected to be just as dominant as their offense, with the defensive line being the team’s cornerstone.

Led by a stellar group of defensive linemen, LSU has the potential to be one of the most feared units in college football. The Tigers’ defensive line is deep and athletic, with future NFL prospects across the board. This group will be tasked with stopping the powerful offenses of the SEC, and their ability to apply consistent pressure on quarterbacks and shut down the run game will be crucial for LSU’s playoff push.

In addition to the defensive line, LSU has an outstanding secondary and linebacker corps. The Tigers’ ability to generate turnovers and stifle passing attacks will be vital for keeping opposing offenses in check. The defensive unit is filled with playmakers, and their ability to consistently make big plays will be one of LSU’s strongest assets in 2025.

Coaching Stability: Brian Kelly’s Vision for LSU

One of the most significant factors in LSU’s potential playoff run in 2025 is the stability that Brian Kelly has brought to the program. In just a few short years, Kelly has turned LSU into a perennial contender with a clear vision for the future. His experience as a head coach at Notre Dame, where he consistently led the Fighting Irish to major bowl games, has been instrumental in stabilizing the LSU program after a period of uncertainty following the departure of Ed Orgeron.

Kelly’s emphasis on discipline, preparation, and player development has set the foundation for LSU’s continued success. Under his leadership, the Tigers have made significant strides in improving both their offensive and defensive units, and the program is poised for sustained success. Kelly has instilled a culture of accountability and competitiveness that has resonated with both his players and coaching staff, setting the stage for a deep playoff run in 2025.

SEC Championship Aspirations

LSU’s path to the College Football Playoff begins with their performance in the SEC, which remains one of the toughest conferences in college football. In order to make the playoff, LSU will need to win or compete for the SEC Championship, and that is no easy task. Teams like Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee will be formidable opponents, but LSU has the talent and coaching to challenge for the top spot in the conference.

A strong showing in SEC play, including key wins over rivals such as Alabama and Texas A&M, will be necessary for LSU to secure a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff. LSU’s ability to compete in the SEC West, which is consistently one of the most competitive divisions in the country, will be the ultimate test of their playoff aspirations.

The Future of College Football Playoff

With the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams set to take place in 2024, the path to the national championship will be more accessible than ever. While LSU’s playoff dreams in 2025 will still need to go through the traditional four-team format, the expansion provides more opportunities for teams to prove themselves on the national stage.

With the expansion, a team like LSU, which may have a couple of early-season losses but finishes strong, could still make the playoff field. This expanded format could benefit the Tigers, who have the potential to be one of the top teams in the country but might face stiff competition from other SEC juggernauts.