LSU head coach Brian Kelly discusses what he hopes to see from Gabe Reliford as a sophomore
As LSU prepares for another exciting college football season, the development of young players continues to be a major focus for head coach Brian Kelly. Among the rising stars on the team, Gabe Reliford, a linebacker who is entering his sophomore season, stands out as one of the players with tremendous potential. While his freshman year showed flashes of promise, Kelly has high hopes for what Reliford can achieve in his second year with the Tigers. In a series of discussions and interviews, Kelly has outlined the specific areas he expects Reliford to grow in as he steps into a more significant role on the defense.
For any player, the transition from a freshman to a sophomore is critical. After experiencing the speed and physicality of SEC football, sophomores are expected to take their understanding of the game to the next level. For Reliford, the leap from freshman contributor to defensive cornerstone is a major step. Here, we dive into what Coach Brian Kelly wants to see from Reliford as he takes on increased responsibility for LSU’s defense in 2025.
Transitioning to a Leadership Role
One of the first things Kelly highlighted when discussing Reliford’s sophomore campaign was the importance of stepping up as a leader on the defense. As a freshman, Reliford played a supporting role behind more experienced upperclassmen. But as a sophomore, he will be expected to take on more of a leadership role—both on and off the field.
“Gabe has to become one of those vocal leaders on the defense,” Kelly said during a press conference earlier this offseason. “As a freshman, it’s easy to sit back and observe. But as a sophomore, we want to see him take ownership of the defense, communicate effectively with his teammates, and set an example in terms of effort and attitude.”
For Kelly, leadership is not just about being vocal. It’s about earning the trust of your teammates through actions, on-field performance, and a commitment to the team’s goals. Reliford’s work ethic has already been praised, but Kelly emphasized that sophomore players are expected to raise their level of accountability, not only in practice but also during games.
“Leadership is something we expect from our younger guys, especially when they start to mature. Gabe is already showing the willingness to step into that role, and that’s going to be critical for us as we move forward,” Kelly added. “We want him to be able to hold his teammates accountable while also making sure he’s playing his best football.”
Mastering the Mental Side of the Game
When it comes to developing young players, one of the key areas Kelly focuses on is improving their understanding of the game—both from a strategic and mental standpoint. For Gabe Reliford, a key focus entering his sophomore year is enhancing his football IQ, particularly in recognizing and responding to offensive schemes.
“In his first year, Gabe was really focused on learning the fundamentals of the game and understanding the basic defensive concepts,” Kelly explained. “But now that he has that foundation, we need him to be quicker in his reads, more anticipatory in his movements, and quicker to recognize the offensive schemes that are coming at him.”
Reliford showed great potential in his freshman year but was often caught in the learning process of adjusting to the pace and complexity of SEC offenses. With a year of experience under his belt, Kelly is expecting a leap in Reliford’s ability to read plays, make split-second decisions, and communicate effectively with teammates on the field.
“Part of being a linebacker in the SEC is being able to read the offense, whether it’s recognizing a run play early or understanding a pass route concept. Gabe’s physical tools are great, but he’s at the point now where he needs to combine that with his football IQ,” Kelly said. “The more he can process what’s happening on the field and anticipate plays, the more effective he’ll be as a defender.”
Kelly believes this improvement in Reliford’s mental processing will make him a more disruptive force, capable of reading the offense and adjusting to different situations quickly. Whether it’s covering receivers, rushing the passer, or stopping the run, the ability to recognize what’s coming will separate the good players from the great ones in a conference like the SEC.
Physical Development: Adjusting to SEC Demands
While mental growth is crucial, there’s no substitute for physicality in the SEC, and Kelly knows that Reliford will need to continue developing physically to meet the demands of the league. As a linebacker, Reliford will be tasked with taking on offensive linemen, defending against high-powered passing attacks, and being a physical presence in the middle of LSU’s defense.
“Gabe has always had the physical tools we look for,” Kelly said. “He’s a strong, fast, and athletic linebacker who can cover a lot of ground. But now, he has to take the next step in terms of his physical conditioning, especially in terms of being able to handle the grind of an SEC schedule.”
Kelly emphasized that physical conditioning doesn’t just mean strength in the weight room. It’s about building endurance and ensuring that Reliford is capable of maintaining his performance throughout an entire game. The intensity of the SEC can wear down players, especially linebackers who are often involved in nearly every play, and Kelly is stressing the importance of resilience and maintaining peak physical condition.
“We want Gabe to be able to go 100 percent every play, every game, and throughout the season,” Kelly said. “That requires not just physical strength but mental toughness as well. He’s worked hard in the offseason, and we’re excited to see how that translates onto the field.”
Kelly also noted that it’s essential for Reliford to improve his technique in key areas, such as tackling, shedding blocks, and working in coverage. While physicality is often seen as raw strength, it’s equally important for Reliford to refine these aspects of his game to become a more complete linebacker.
“We need Gabe to be more efficient in his movements, more precise in his tackling, and more relentless when it comes to disengaging from blockers,” Kelly said. “Those are things we’ve focused on this offseason, and I think Gabe has made great strides in all of those areas.”
Becoming a Playmaker for the Defense
One of the most exciting aspects of Reliford’s game is his potential to become a playmaker. As a linebacker, his ability to impact the game doesn’t just come from being in the right place at the right time; it comes from having a relentless pursuit of the ball, making key stops, and creating turnovers.
“Gabe has the tools to be a game-changer,” Kelly stated. “He’s shown flashes of that already, whether it’s making key tackles in space or blitzing to get to the quarterback. But we need to see more of that on a consistent basis.”
Kelly pointed to the importance of Reliford becoming a more disruptive force in the backfield. Whether it’s by forcing fumbles, intercepting passes, or pressuring the quarterback, a linebacker who can change the course of a game with a big play is a valuable asset to any defense.
“We’re looking for Gabe to be more active around the ball and make those plays that shift momentum,” Kelly said. “That’s something we’re going to need from him if we want to compete at a high level in the SEC.”
Embracing the Physicality of the SEC
The SEC is known for its punishing physicality, and for a player like Gabe Reliford, the sophomore year is when he must truly embrace the tough, grinding nature of the conference. Kelly noted that part of Reliford’s development as a linebacker is fully understanding what it means to play in one of the most physically demanding conferences in college football.
“The SEC is a battle every week, and for linebackers, it’s about being able to handle the pounding that comes with playing in this league,” Kelly said. “Gabe has the physical ability to do it, but he needs to make sure he’s prepared for the intensity and toughness of an SEC season.”
Kelly also spoke about the importance of building a mental toughness that will help Reliford navigate the inevitable challenges and obstacles that will arise during the season. The grind of long practices, tough games, and physical wear and tear requires resilience, and Kelly is looking for Reliford to develop that grit.
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season
As the 2025 season approaches, Brian Kelly is optimistic about Gabe Reliford’s growth as a player and leader. Kelly’s expectations are high, but he has confidence in Reliford’s ability to rise to the challenge and take the next step in his development.
“We’ve seen what Gabe can do, and now we’re excited to see how he builds on that in his sophomore year,” Kelly said. “He’s got all the tools to be a special player, and I think we’re going to see him make a huge impact on our defense this season.”
For Gabe Reliford, the 2025 season is a critical opportunity to solidify his place as a cornerstone of LSU’s defense. With Brian Kelly’s guidance and an emphasis on leadership, mental growth, physical conditioning, and playmaking, Reliford is poised to take his game to new heights in his sophomore season.
