Brian Kelly and LSU Tigers navigate crucial offseason, reshaping roster in Baton Rouge to build a competitive team for upcoming season.

The offseason is always a critical stretch for any college football program, but for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, the stakes are particularly high in 2025. With championship aspirations, high expectations from a passionate fan base, and a rapidly evolving college football landscape, LSU finds itself at a pivotal crossroads in Baton Rouge.

After a season filled with flashes of brilliance but marred by inconsistency, Kelly and his coaching staff have embarked on an aggressive and strategic effort to reconstruct the roster. From the transfer portal to recruiting, to player development and staff adjustments, this offseason has been anything but quiet on the bayou.

As LSU looks to reassert itself in the upper echelon of the SEC and the College Football Playoff conversation, the moves made during this critical period may ultimately define the trajectory of the program under Brian Kelly’s leadership.

Assessing the 2024 Season: A Mixed Bag

LSU’s 2024 campaign offered glimpses of promise. The Tigers showcased a potent offense led by young stars and an experienced offensive line. However, defensive lapses, special teams inconsistencies, and a lack of depth at key positions prevented the team from reaching its full potential.

Finishing with a respectable but underwhelming record, the Tigers fell short of both SEC West dominance and a playoff berth. This led to some hard but necessary evaluations by the coaching staff heading into the offseason.

“We’re close, but not quite where we need to be,” said Brian Kelly in his postseason press conference. “We’ve identified the gaps, and now it’s about execution in filling them.”

Transfer Portal Activity: Out with the Old, In with the Elite

One of the most active elements of the offseason has been LSU’s engagement with the transfer portal, both in terms of departures and acquisitions.

Notable Departures:

• Several veteran players who struggled to find consistent playing time or who sought better opportunities elsewhere have left the program.
• Depth in the secondary and linebacker corps was affected by early exits.

Key Additions:

• Defensive Backfield Upgrades: LSU added two experienced corners from Power Five programs, addressing one of its biggest weaknesses from 2024.
• Quarterback Depth: A transfer QB with two years of eligibility was brought in to compete and provide insurance behind the presumed starter.
• Skill Positions: A dynamic wide receiver from the Big Ten and a versatile running back from the Pac-12 are expected to be immediate contributors.

Kelly’s staff has shown a keen eye for portal talent that fits LSU’s culture and scheme — not just stars, but plug-and-play pieces.

“We’re not just recruiting athletes. We’re building a team with the right mindset and chemistry,” said defensive coordinator Blake Baker.

High School Recruiting: Building for the Long-Term

While the portal grabs headlines, LSU hasn’t ignored the traditional recruiting path. The Tigers have landed a top-10 recruiting class, headlined by:

• A 5-star defensive end who chose LSU over Georgia and Alabama
• One of the top interior offensive linemen in the country
• A dual-threat quarterback seen as the future of the position in Baton Rouge
• A pair of highly rated Louisiana natives keeping the “boot talent” at home

These signings not only bolster the depth chart but also signal that LSU is winning key battles in the recruiting arms race.

“The foundation of our program remains in high school recruiting,” said Kelly. “That’s where culture starts.”

Position Battles Heating Up

With an influx of talent comes intense competition across the roster. Among the most intriguing battles heading into summer workouts and fall camp:

• Quarterback: While a starter is penciled in, the competition will be fierce with new faces and returning talent pushing each other.
• Linebacker: With new transfers and returning underclassmen, this position could see a shake-up.
• Cornerback: Perhaps the most competitive position group, with six players realistically vying for two starting spots.

This competition is exactly what Kelly has envisioned — a deep, talented roster where no job is guaranteed, and excellence is the standard.

Coaching Staff Adjustments

Recognizing the need for growth not only among players but also on the sidelines, Kelly made a few key staff changes this offseason:

• A new special teams coordinator was brought in from the NFL ranks to shore up what was one of the team’s weakest units.
• An analyst with deep recruiting ties in Texas was elevated to an on-field role.
• The strength and conditioning program was revamped with an emphasis on injury prevention and explosive speed development.

These changes reflect Kelly’s willingness to adapt and evolve — a trait that has served him well throughout his career.

Embracing the NIL Era

Another major factor in this offseason has been LSU’s navigation of the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape. LSU has emerged as a leader in NIL infrastructure, with partnerships that support both current players and potential recruits.

• The Bayou Traditions collective has helped facilitate legitimate endorsement opportunities for players.
• Incoming recruits have clarity on how they can benefit from LSU’s national brand.
• Kelly has been outspoken about using NIL as a retention and recruitment tool, but not at the expense of team culture.

“We embrace NIL, but our focus remains on building a team that plays for one another,” Kelly said.

The Culture Shift Continues

Brian Kelly’s arrival at LSU in 2021 was met with scrutiny and curiosity. His Northern roots and methodical style seemed at odds with the emotional and unpredictable SEC. Yet, in his first few years, he has steadily transformed LSU’s program culture.

• Accountability has increased in both the classroom and on the field.
• LSU has posted its highest team GPA in over a decade.
• Penalties and turnovers — long-standing issues — have declined under Kelly’s leadership.

This offseason, Kelly has reinforced those cultural standards in everything from film sessions to player-led leadership councils. The goal is clear: develop not just better athletes, but better teams.

2025 Outlook: Reason for Optimism

With the pieces being assembled, there is growing optimism that LSU will be a major contender in 2025. The SEC will continue to be a gauntlet, especially with Texas and Oklahoma joining the fold, but the Tigers are positioning themselves to thrive.

Projected strengths:

• An improved and deeper defense, particularly in the secondary
• A reloaded offensive line with both veteran leadership and young talent
• Skill positions loaded with explosiveness and versatility

Lingering questions:

• Can the quarterback play elevate the offense to elite levels?
• Will the new defensive additions gel quickly enough to start fast?
• Can the team stay healthy and consistent through the grind of an expanded 12-team playoff format?

As Brian Kelly continues to reshape LSU football, this offseason stands as a defining chapter. The aggressive roster turnover, strategic portal pickups, strong recruiting class, and cultural buy-in from players and staff all point to a program on the rise.

If these offseason efforts translate into wins on Saturdays, this could be the year LSU makes a serious push for SEC glory and College Football Playoff contention. If not, the questions will mount.

For now, the energy in Baton Rouge is cautious but hopeful. Brian Kelly has a vision, and step by step, he’s building the team to realize it.