Former LSU football star and Super Bowl champion urges MLB teams to make Kade Anderson the top pick in 2025 Draft.

In a powerful and unexpected cross-sport endorsement, a former LSU football icon and Super Bowl champion is making headlines by publicly advocating for star pitcher Kade Anderson to be selected first overall in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft. The declaration has added fuel to the already growing buzz around Anderson’s name and has further amplified the attention on the LSU baseball program, which continues to be a pipeline for elite MLB talent.

A Champion’s Voice Carries Weight

The endorsement comes from none other than Tyrann Mathieu — the “Honey Badger” himself — a former All-American LSU defensive back and Super Bowl-winning safety in the NFL. Known for his intensity, leadership, and championship pedigree, Mathieu isn’t just a former LSU great — he’s a respected voice in both college and professional sports circles.

Mathieu took to social media with a direct and emphatic message to MLB front offices:

“Kade Anderson is different. His command, his poise, his fire — that’s the guy you build a franchise around. Don’t overthink it. #1.”

His statement immediately resonated with LSU fans and sports media alike. While it’s not unusual for current and former athletes to support their alma mater, Mathieu’s vocal push for Anderson as the top overall pick in baseball’s most important draft comes with added weight, given his championship experience and deep ties to LSU’s culture of excellence.

Who Is Kade Anderson?

Kade Anderson, a left-handed pitcher from Madison, Mississippi, has been one of the biggest breakout stars in college baseball. Now entering his junior year with the LSU Tigers, Anderson has steadily climbed draft boards thanks to a combination of dominant performances, elite mechanics, and a competitive edge that mirrors LSU’s blue-collar identity.

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing around 195 pounds, Anderson isn’t the most physically imposing pitcher — but what he lacks in height, he makes up for with fierce mound presence and polished command. His fastball routinely touches 96 mph, but it’s his devastating curveball and plus-changeup that have scouts drooling.

During the 2024 season, Anderson posted a 2.31 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 93 innings, while holding opponents to a .192 batting average. He was named a First-Team All-American and helped lead the Tigers to a deep College World Series run, building a reputation as a big-game performer.

The LSU Pipeline: Football, Baseball, and Brotherhood

LSU has long been a powerhouse in both football and baseball, producing elite talent in each sport. While it’s not unusual for Tiger football alumni to support the baseball team, it is rare for a football icon like Mathieu to make such a public and specific endorsement about a baseball draft pick.

But at LSU, there’s a sense of shared identity across programs. Athletes from different teams often support one another and forge close bonds during their time in Baton Rouge. That culture has continued beyond graduation, with many former Tigers giving back and mentoring current student-athletes.

Mathieu, known for his gritty leadership and fearless attitude, sees a reflection of himself in Anderson’s on-field demeanor. “He’s got that edge,” Mathieu said in an interview. “You watch him pitch, and it’s like watching a lockdown corner. He controls the game. He imposes his will.”

Anderson’s Draft Stock Soars

Entering the 2025 season, Kade Anderson was already projected to be a first-round pick. But now, with top-tier scouts and former professional athletes hyping his upside, Anderson has risen to the very top of most draft boards.

According to several MLB scouts, Anderson checks every box:

• Mature Command: Rarely walks hitters and thrives in high-pressure situations.
• Elite Stuff: A three-pitch mix that generates swings and misses at all levels.
• Mental Toughness: Known for his fierce competitiveness and leadership in the clubhouse.
• Projection: Still has room to add velocity and refine his already impressive secondary pitches.

One American League scouting director recently told Baseball America, “Kade’s makeup is off the charts. You don’t just draft a pitcher — you draft a future ace and leader. He’s got the full package.”

The Significance of Going No. 1

If Anderson is selected with the first overall pick, he would become the second LSU player in as many years to earn that honor, following Dylan Crews in 2023. That would mark an unprecedented run of success for LSU baseball and cement the program’s dominance in developing elite talent for the professional level.

Going first overall is more than just a title — it means trust from an MLB franchise that Anderson can be the centerpiece of its rebuild. It also comes with financial rewards: the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft often signs for well north of $9 million.

Anderson has remained humble amid the rising attention, often deflecting praise to his teammates and coaches. “I just want to win games and compete,” he said. “Whatever happens with the draft, happens. I’m focused on LSU and doing everything I can to help us win.”

Tigers’ Legacy and Brotherhood

LSU’s legacy of producing elite athletes in both football and baseball is now intersecting in a unique way. Tyrann Mathieu’s endorsement is a reminder of the culture LSU instills — one of toughness, commitment, and family.

It’s not just hype — the school has produced recent MLB stars like Alex Bregman and Kevin Gausman, along with a litany of top NFL talent. The mutual respect between these programs continues to bear fruit in moments like this, where a football icon uses his platform to elevate a future baseball star.

Fans and Media React

Unsurprisingly, LSU fans rallied behind Mathieu’s comments. Twitter, Instagram, and Tigers fan forums exploded with reactions, memes, and celebratory posts. Many pointed to Mathieu’s comments as further validation of what LSU fans already believe — that Anderson is the best pitcher in the country and worthy of being the first overall selection.

Sports radio in Baton Rouge and New Orleans devoted segments to the endorsement, with callers praising the cross-sport support and breaking down Anderson’s professional prospects.

National media outlets also picked up the story, highlighting the unusual — but powerful — nature of the endorsement. ESPN’s MLB insider Jeff Passan tweeted, “When a Super Bowl champ calls for you to go No. 1 — and he’s not even in your sport — people listen.”

What’s Next for Anderson?

With the college season behind him and the 2025 MLB Draft just weeks away, Kade Anderson is expected to conduct private workouts with several MLB teams. His draft interviews will also give front offices insight into his mindset, approach to development, and long-term goals.

All indications are that Anderson is fully prepared for the transition to the pros. His work ethic, coachability, and maturity have been praised by LSU head coach Jay Johnson.

“I’ve been around a lot of elite players,” Johnson said. “Kade is right up there with the best of them — not just in terms of talent, but how he approaches the game. He’s going to be a star.”

The endorsement of Kade Anderson by Tyrann Mathieu adds another layer of prestige to what is already an impressive college career. It’s a rare moment when stars align — both figuratively and literally — in the world of college sports.

Anderson’s journey from Mississippi standout to LSU ace and future MLB star is a testament to his talent and the culture that LSU fosters across all sports. With a Super Bowl champion in his corner and the baseball world watching closely, Anderson’s name could be the first called on draft night — and rightfully so.

For LSU, it’s another reminder of why they continue to be one of the most dominant athletic programs in the nation.

GEAUX TIGERS.