For Brian Kelly and his staff, the LSU Tigers’ spring practice and scrimmage finale validates the excitement surrounding a few key new pieces.

In Baton Rouge, spring practice holds immense weight, serving as an early barometer for a new season’s potential. For LSU head coach Brian Kelly, this year’s spring practice and scrimmage finale were more than just a way to evaluate his team—they were a declaration of the depth, talent, and potential that has fans buzzing for the 2025 season.

LSU, a team historically steeped in college football tradition, endured a transformative coaching change when Kelly was hired as the program’s new leader. While his first season in Baton Rouge was solid, it’s clear that this upcoming year carries with it elevated expectations. Through careful roster construction, strategic player development, and bolstering of key positions, Kelly has created an atmosphere that reflects the type of championship program he’s known for at previous stops.

What became clear during this year’s spring practice and scrimmage finale is the realization of what Kelly, his staff, and the program’s administration have worked tirelessly to build. The excitement surrounding the additions to the roster—both through recruiting and transfers—was validated in full view of fans, coaches, and analysts alike.

The Key New Pieces: A Snapshot of Talent and Potential

1. Quarterback: The Path to Stability

For any football program, the quarterback position is the most crucial piece to the puzzle. At LSU, this spring, the quarterback battle was nothing short of thrilling. The competition centered around the emergence of Jaden Daniels and the arrival of Walker Howard as new faces in the quarterback room.

Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State, already demonstrated flashes of brilliance in his first season with LSU, providing a dual-threat presence that made opposing defenses wary. However, spring practice offered him the chance to further solidify his hold on the starting role and expand his connection with the team. Throughout the scrimmages, Daniels showed marked improvement in his passing mechanics, notably his ability to zip the ball to his targets with precision and velocity. His leadership, maturity, and decision-making stood out during critical moments in scrimmages, leaving little doubt that he was indeed the team’s QB1 moving into the season.

Yet, Kelly and his staff also recognized the importance of competition, and Walker Howard’s arrival injected a spark into the quarterback room. Howard, a highly touted recruit and once considered one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country, came to LSU with all the tools needed to be a future star. His performance in spring practice, including several eye-catching passes during the scrimmage, demonstrated that he would be ready to step into the starting role if needed. His poise in the pocket and ability to read defenses suggested that Kelly’s system could evolve into something even more dynamic with Howard in the mix, perhaps for the future but certainly as a highly promising backup.

2. Offensive Line: Rebuilding the Trenches

The battle in the trenches is often the most overlooked aspect of any football program, but for Kelly and his staff, this position group took on particular importance in the 2025 season. LSU’s offensive line had experienced some turbulence over the last few seasons, and while they were able to play a solid role in 2024, Kelly and his staff were intent on building a dominant front five capable of protecting their quarterback and controlling the line of scrimmage.

The spring provided a fresh opportunity for young players to emerge and older players to solidify their roles. A name that consistently turned heads was Will Campbell, a sophomore who had shown flashes of brilliance as a true freshman. Campbell’s power and quickness on the left tackle spot were undeniable, and as a result, he continued to push for a leadership role in LSU’s offensive line group. His ability to keep his quarterback clean while also dominating in the run game would be essential for LSU’s offensive success in the upcoming season.

Additionally, the addition of transfer players like Emory Jones from Arizona State created a sense of immediate impact. Jones, a seasoned veteran who had played at a high level in the Pac-12, seamlessly meshed into Kelly’s system and provided an added dimension of experience and stability to LSU’s offensive line.

In scrimmage action, it was clear that LSU’s front line had grown both in strength and cohesion. The offensive line was able to generate significant push in the run game, opening up lanes for ball carriers, while also providing ample time for Daniels and Howard to make plays in the passing game. The revamped line under Kelly’s tutelage appeared poised to return to the physical dominance that LSU has been known for in the past.

3. Defensive Line: A Menacing Force Returns

The LSU Tigers are traditionally known for producing NFL-level defensive talent, particularly along the defensive line. Heading into the 2025 season, Brian Kelly knew that rebuilding this unit would be critical to maintaining the team’s legacy on defense. With several key departures from last season, LSU had some holes to fill. However, the influx of new talent and the development of returning players made it clear that the defensive line was in capable hands.

The addition of Mason Smith, a former five-star recruit who had missed the majority of the 2024 season due to injury, brought an immediate sense of excitement. The scrimmage finale showcased a revitalized Smith who looked as explosive and disruptive as advertised. His ability to penetrate the offensive line and apply pressure on the quarterback made him an immediate standout. Paired with Jaquelin Roy, another returning player with a strong reputation in the trenches, LSU’s defensive line was shaping up to be an elite unit.

In addition to Smith and Roy, the emergence of young players like Ollie Gordon and Sage Ryan added further depth to the group. Ryan, a freshman who impressed coaches with his combination of size, speed, and raw talent, looked poised to make an immediate impact. As a unit, the defensive line has all the makings of a terrifying force that will help LSU dominate in the SEC and beyond.

4. Wide Receiver: A Rejuvenated Group

Another position that has had fans buzzing for LSU is wide receiver. While the Tigers had previously relied on reliable veterans in the receiving corps, Kelly’s team has now developed a more dynamic, versatile group of pass-catchers. A major storyline of spring practice was the continued development of Malik Nabers, a standout from last season, who has grown into one of the premier wide receivers in the SEC. Nabers showcased his physicality, route-running precision, and ability to create separation in scrimmages, positioning him as one of the go-to targets for Jaden Daniels.

In addition to Nabers, the spring also highlighted new additions such as Kyren Lacy and Aaron Anderson, who bring explosive speed and a unique skill set to the receiving room. These new faces inject a dynamic energy into the LSU offense and give Daniels an array of weapons at his disposal. The combination of veteran leadership and youthful energy in this unit could make the LSU passing game one of the most dangerous in the country.

5. Defensive Secondary: A Growth in Depth and Talent

The secondary, which had been a vulnerable spot for LSU in recent seasons, showed substantial improvement during spring practice. The addition of Denver Harris, a transfer cornerback from Texas A&M, added a much-needed layer of experience and talent to LSU’s defensive backfield. Harris immediately made his presence felt during the spring scrimmages, demonstrating his ability to lock down wide receivers and contribute in both man and zone coverage schemes.

Alongside Harris, returning players like Greg Brooks Jr. and Sage Ryan provided stability and leadership, offering valuable depth in the defensive backfield. The LSU defense, under the tutelage of Kelly’s staff, appeared much more formidable than it had in recent seasons, particularly in pass defense, where the Tigers struggled against high-powered offenses.

 A Team Poised for Greatness

As Brian Kelly and his staff move forward into the 2025 season, the spring practices and scrimmage finale validated the excitement surrounding several new pieces on the roster. From the rejuvenated quarterback room to the revamped offensive line, LSU appears ready to make a run at a championship. The defense, too, has found its stride, with an influx of talent along the defensive line and in the secondary.

For Kelly, these key additions aren’t just important for one season—they represent the foundation of a championship-contending team that will define the next era of LSU football. As the spring game concluded, it became evident that LSU’s commitment to bringing in top-tier talent, fostering competition, and executing Brian Kelly’s vision was beginning to bear fruit.

In the SEC, where every game is a battle, the LSU Tigers are now equipped with a blend of experienced leaders, fresh faces, and unyielding ambition. Fans and analysts alike can’t help but feel the excitement building for what promises to be an unforgettable season in Baton Rouge. Brian Kelly has certainly made his mark, and this spring practice was just the beginning.