LSU Tigers Win Massive Recruiting Battle Over Texas and Florida, Secure Five-Star EDGE to Bolster Dominant 2025 Defensive Class
In what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive recruiting cycles in recent memory, LSU football just scored a major victory that could reverberate throughout the 2025 college football season and beyond. On Wednesday afternoon, five-star edge rusher Keon Bradley—the top-ranked EDGE in the 2025 class and one of the most sought-after defensive players in the country—announced his commitment to LSU over fellow powerhouse programs Texas and Florida.
The announcement came during a nationally televised press conference at Bradley’s high school in Dallas, Texas, where the 6-foot-5, 245-pound phenom chose the Tigers’ purple and gold cap over the burnt orange of the Longhorns and the blue and orange of the Gators. The decision ends months of speculation and intense recruitment, with all three schools pushing hard to land a player seen as a future first-round NFL Draft pick.
For LSU head coach Brian Kelly and his staff, Bradley’s commitment is more than just a headline—it’s a statement. It signals that LSU remains a recruiting juggernaut in the SEC and that Kelly’s aggressive, national approach to talent acquisition is paying off. With elite-level offers from across the country and official visits to several top-tier programs, Bradley’s choice to commit to LSU reinforces the Tigers’ resurgence in building dominant defenses reminiscent of their title-contending rosters in years past.
Bradley is known for his explosive first step, relentless motor, and ability to bend around the edge in a way that few high school prospects can. Scouts have likened his frame and athleticism to former LSU star Arden Key and even NFL All-Pro Danielle Hunter. What separates Bradley, according to multiple evaluators, is his technical polish at a young age. “He’s not just a speed rusher,” one national analyst noted. “He uses his hands like a veteran. He can bull-rush, stunt inside, and he plays with high IQ. He’s college-ready right now.”
The decision to choose LSU over Texas and Florida was not an easy one, according to Bradley and his family. In recent weeks, reports swirled that Texas had surged to the top of his list following a standout visit to Austin, where head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski reportedly made a compelling case centered around NIL, scheme fit, and early playing time. Florida, too, was viewed as a serious contender, with Billy Napier and his staff emphasizing the Gators’ NFL pipeline for defensive players and the chance to be the centerpiece of a rising unit.
But in the end, LSU’s defensive legacy and developmental record at the EDGE position were too strong to ignore. During his announcement, Bradley cited “LSU’s tradition of putting guys in the league and developing real dogs on defense” as a major factor in his decision. “From Day One, they treated me like family and showed me how they planned to use me,” Bradley said. “It felt like home every time I visited. I know what I’m walking into, and I’m ready.”
Bradley’s pledge gives LSU 17 commitments in the 2025 class and moves the Tigers up to No. 3 in the national recruiting rankings, trailing only Georgia and Ohio State. It also gives LSU its fourth five-star recruit in the cycle and arguably its most impactful defensive player since Harold Perkins joined the program in 2022.
LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who returned to Baton Rouge to reclaim a role he once held under Ed Orgeron, was instrumental in sealing the deal with Bradley. Sources close to the recruitment say Baker maintained near-daily communication with Bradley and his inner circle over the past six months. During Bradley’s official visit to LSU, Baker reportedly broke down every defensive snap from last season, showing precisely how Bradley would fit into the Tigers’ hybrid pass-rush packages.
“The relationship Coach Baker built with Keon was unmatched,” a family member of Bradley shared. “It wasn’t just football talk—it was about life, leadership, and accountability. That meant a lot to Keon.”
From a roster-building standpoint, Bradley’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time for LSU. The Tigers are expected to lose several key pass rushers after the 2025 season to the NFL, and depth at the EDGE position had become a priority. Now, with Bradley in the fold alongside fellow top-100 defensive linemen Jamal Bridges and Zion Hearns, LSU is assembling what could be the most dominant defensive line group in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
Bradley’s commitment is also a reminder that the Tigers remain a national brand capable of pulling elite talent out of Texas—even when the Longhorns are on the rise and playing in the SEC. For Sarkisian, the loss of Bradley stings. Texas had prioritized him as their crown jewel defensive prospect for months, and insiders believed they were close to closing the deal following his last visit to Austin. However, the Tigers’ combination of tradition, transparency, and developmental history ultimately won out.
Florida’s staff, while disappointed, remains optimistic about their defensive recruiting efforts in 2025. Though Bradley would have been a huge addition, the Gators are still in the mix for other elite EDGE prospects, and they have already landed four-star ends Xavier Mims and Trenton Powell. Still, missing out on a player of Bradley’s caliber—especially to a fellow SEC rival—adds extra pressure to Florida’s upcoming visits and commitments.
For LSU, this commitment strengthens the belief that Brian Kelly’s strategy is working. He’s blended traditional SEC footprint recruiting with a more national scope, targeting not only the deep South but also Texas, California, and the Midwest. With NIL infrastructure in place and a renewed focus on elite-level development, LSU is becoming a destination not just for Louisiana’s best but for America’s best.
Bradley’s commitment also has implications for LSU’s 2025 season outlook. While he won’t suit up until next year, his presence boosts morale, attracts attention from other elite prospects, and keeps LSU at the forefront of national recruiting battles. Several other five-star recruits have named LSU as a finalist, and Bradley’s public excitement about his future in Baton Rouge could sway undecided players to join him.
In the bigger picture, this recruiting win underscores LSU’s commitment to building a defense capable of returning to championship levels. The Tigers have always been known for their speed, aggression, and swagger on defense. With players like Bradley entering the program, that identity is not only being preserved — it’s being enhanced.
Keon Bradley is not just another five-star name in the rankings. He’s a culture-shifter. His decision to join LSU marks a clear signal that the Tigers are assembling the kind of talent that can challenge Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State for college football supremacy in the years to come.
As the 2025 recruiting cycle continues to unfold, LSU has fired one of the loudest shots yet — and the rest of college football just heard it.
