Brian Kelly Boldly Declares LSU Tigers Have Assembled the Best Roster in College Football Heading Into the 2025 Season

Brian Kelly has never been one to shy away from high expectations. Entering his third full season at the helm of LSU football, the head coach is once again putting the national spotlight directly on Baton Rouge. During a recent media session following spring practice, Kelly made a bold declaration that reverberated throughout the college football world: LSU, he said, has assembled the best roster in the nation heading into the 2025 season. It’s a statement loaded with confidence — and one that could serve as a rallying cry or a target on the Tigers’ backs.

Kelly’s assertion isn’t mere bravado. LSU has been on a strategic and aggressive path to rebuild and reload under his leadership since he arrived in 2021. After inheriting a fractured locker room and a roster in flux, Kelly methodically addressed the program’s most glaring needs. He blended transfer portal wins with homegrown development and has leveraged the power of NIL and elite recruiting to reconstruct the foundation of a national title contender.

This offseason, Kelly’s approach culminated in what many insiders believe is a complete, balanced, and veteran-laden team. From top to bottom, LSU’s depth chart reads like that of a College Football Playoff favorite. On both sides of the ball, there is a combination of size, speed, experience, and upside — with few, if any, glaring weaknesses.

Offensively, LSU enters 2025 with one of the most exciting quarterback battles in the nation. Garrett Nussmeier, the seasoned junior who waited patiently behind Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, finally gets his shot at leading the Tigers. Nussmeier has displayed poise, arm strength, and a deep understanding of the offense. Yet behind him, freshman phenom Bryce Underwood — the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class — is already turning heads with his elite physical tools and advanced football IQ.

Nussmeier’s presence gives LSU a stable and experienced option, but Underwood’s ceiling is as high as any young quarterback in recent memory. Regardless of who wins the job, Kelly is sitting comfortably knowing he has two potential stars in his quarterback room — a luxury most programs dream of.

Surrounding that quarterback talent is arguably the best wide receiver corps in the SEC. Kyren Lacy returns as a proven leader with big-play ability, while sophomore sensation Shelton Sampson Jr. looks poised for a breakout year after flashing brilliance as a freshman. Adding to the mix is transfer portal gem Isaiah Bond from Alabama, who brings elite speed and SEC experience. True freshman Jelani Watkins, a four-star recruit, adds yet another dynamic piece to an already explosive group.

In the backfield, the Tigers are loaded with versatility. Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson return to give LSU a powerful one-two punch, while sophomore Trey Holly brings elusiveness and pass-catching skills. Freshman Harlem Berry, one of the fastest backs in the 2024 class, has already impressed during spring ball and could carve out a role as a change-of-pace threat.

Up front, LSU boasts one of the deepest offensive lines in the nation. Anchored by Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. — both entering their third seasons as starters — the unit combines power with continuity. Kelly and offensive line coach Brad Davis have worked wonders developing young linemen, and with four starters returning and key depth pieces in place, the Tigers should dominate the trenches.

On the defensive side of the ball, LSU’s transformation may be even more impressive. After a 2023 season plagued by inconsistent play and blown assignments, the 2024 unit showed marked improvement. Now, heading into 2025, the Tigers’ defense could be among the most fearsome in the country.

Much of that promise starts with the front seven. LSU has invested heavily in the defensive line, and the returns are beginning to show. Harold Perkins Jr. — once a versatile linebacker — has fully embraced his role as an edge rusher and is coming off a double-digit sack campaign. Opposite him, transfer Princely Umanmielen from Florida brings size and athleticism, creating a terrifying pass-rushing tandem.

Inside, Maason Smith is finally healthy and returning to his All-American form, while sophomore Dashawn Womack continues to ascend. Mekhi Wingo, another veteran stalwart, provides leadership and experience in the middle. The rotation is deep, with players like Jacobian Guillory and freshman Dominick McKinley ready to contribute meaningful snaps.

At linebacker, the emergence of Whit Weeks and Christian Brathwaite has solidified a position that once lacked depth. Weeks, in particular, is drawing comparisons to past LSU greats with his sideline-to-sideline range and nose for the football. The return of Greg Penn III offers even more stability, and the addition of five-star freshman Tylen Singleton gives the unit a high-upside future star.

The biggest question for LSU last year — the secondary — has now turned into a strength. Thanks to a mix of returning experience and fresh talent, the Tigers’ defensive backfield is shaping up to be a lockdown unit. Javien Toviano and Zy Alexander lead the cornerback group, while freshman PJ Woodland and JUCO transfer Roman Rashada have made immediate impressions.

At safety, Major Burns returns for his final year, providing leadership and communication on the back end. He’s joined by rising sophomore Ryan Yaites and savvy veteran Sage Ryan, both of whom bring versatility and physicality. The addition of five-star safety Joel Rogers adds another high-ceiling piece to defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s arsenal.

Special teams, often overlooked, also appears in good hands. Punter Jay Bramblett and kicker Nathan Dibert both return with solid track records, and the return game should receive a jolt with Bond and Watkins fielding punts and kickoffs.

Kelly’s proclamation about having the best roster isn’t rooted solely in recruiting rankings or positional breakdowns — it’s also about cohesion. The 2025 LSU squad enters summer camp with something intangible but vital: chemistry. Over the last three years, Kelly has emphasized player development and internal leadership. This is no longer a program relying solely on raw talent; it is one built on accountability and buy-in.

That cultural shift has already produced results. After an inconsistent debut season in 2022, Kelly led LSU to a 10-win campaign in 2023 and another step forward in 2024. Now, with a veteran locker room and young stars ready to emerge, the Tigers appear poised to take the final leap.

Of course, no season in the SEC — especially the expanded 16-team version — comes without landmines. LSU’s 2025 schedule includes matchups with Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, and Florida. There are no easy Saturdays in this league. Yet Kelly believes this group is built for it — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

What sets this roster apart, in Kelly’s mind, is its depth and adaptability. “We’re not just talking about 22 starters,” he said. “We’ve got 40 to 45 guys who can go in and play winning football. That’s the difference. That’s what championship programs are made of.”

He’s not wrong. The 2025 LSU team is as well-equipped as any in recent memory. Its mix of star power, veteran leadership, youth infusion, and coaching continuity checks all the boxes. It’s why LSU is already a trendy pick for the College Football Playoff and a legitimate contender to dethrone defending national champion Georgia.

Whether the Tigers live up to Kelly’s claim will depend on execution, health, and the ability to handle adversity. But one thing is clear: LSU is no longer building toward something — it’s here. The foundation has been laid, the pieces are in place, and the Tigers are ready to roar once again.

Kelly knows the weight of his words. Declaring this the best roster in college football sets the tone for what he believes this team can achieve. It’s an invitation to dream big, and a challenge to prove it on the field. In Death Valley, the expectations are sky-high. But if Brian Kelly is right — and all signs suggest he just might be — the Tigers are about to make their loudest statement yet.