On3 Makes Major Recruiting Prediction That Could Impact LSU Football’s Pursuit of One of Its Top Targets in 2025

LSU football has been a powerhouse on the recruiting trail under head coach Brian Kelly, routinely landing top-tier talent from across the country. As the 2025 recruiting cycle heats up, one of the biggest questions surrounding the Tigers involves a particular blue-chip prospect whose decision could significantly shape LSU’s future roster. This week, On3, one of the nation’s most respected recruiting services, made a major prediction that’s turning heads around the college football world. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Tigers are now trending to land one of their highest-priority targets in the 2025 class—a development that could ripple far beyond Baton Rouge.

The player in question is none other than five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry, a dominant force in the trenches and a top-five overall prospect in the 2025 cycle. Terry, who is currently committed to the Georgia Bulldogs, has long been viewed as a near-lock to stay in his home state. However, recent recruiting momentum, increased visits, and a growing connection with LSU’s coaching staff have drastically altered the landscape of his recruitment.

On3’s RPM now gives LSU a 42.7% chance of flipping Terry, a stark contrast from just a few weeks ago when Georgia had a commanding lead. The shift reflects LSU’s relentless pursuit and strategic approach to building relationships not just with Terry, but with those in his inner circle. Defensive line coach Bo Davis and head coach Brian Kelly have both made Terry’s recruitment a top priority, and the results are beginning to show. The Tigers’ ability to host Terry multiple times in Baton Rouge, combined with the success of their current defensive linemen, is clearly resonating.

Sources close to Terry’s recruitment say that LSU has become more than just a backup option. “They’ve made a real impression,” one recruiting analyst told On3. “The LSU staff is selling a vision and showing Terry exactly how he fits into their defensive scheme. He’s not just another five-star to them—he’s the guy, and that’s powerful.”

Terry’s rise in the recruiting rankings has coincided with an increase in national attention. At 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, he possesses a rare combination of size, quickness, and power. His ability to play multiple spots along the defensive line makes him a versatile weapon in any defensive system. That’s exactly what LSU envisions him becoming—a disruptive presence capable of collapsing pockets, stuffing the run, and commanding double teams. If the Tigers are able to secure a flip, it would mark one of the most significant recruiting wins of the Brian Kelly era to date.

What’s especially intriguing about this development is that Georgia, known for its recruiting dominance along the defensive front, has not appeared overly concerned—at least publicly. The Bulldogs have continued to recruit Terry as if his commitment is solid. But sources suggest that behind the scenes, there’s growing anxiety in Athens. LSU’s persistent presence and the increasing frequency of contact have not gone unnoticed. Georgia will undoubtedly fight to retain him, but LSU’s traction is very real.

The implications of this prediction extend beyond just Terry himself. A potential flip could signal a broader shift in SEC recruiting dynamics, especially as LSU continues to establish itself as a major force under Kelly. During his first few seasons, Kelly prioritized structure and culture. Now, he’s stacking elite talent on top of that foundation. A successful recruitment of Terry would give LSU another cornerstone on the defensive front—a unit that has been crucial to the team’s identity since the days of Glenn Dorsey and the 2011 BCS championship defense.

In the NIL era, recruitment has become as much about opportunity and vision as it is about geography and tradition. LSU’s presentation to Terry has reportedly emphasized his ability to make an immediate impact, benefit from NIL opportunities in a high-visibility program, and become a household name on a national stage. That message has clearly resonated.

Terry has maintained that he is still “100% committed” to Georgia, but as history has shown, commitments—especially early ones—are not always the final word in a recruitment. He has taken multiple unofficial visits to LSU and is expected to return again before the summer is out. Each trip has included extended time with coaches, academic tours, and time with current players, all designed to deepen the connection. Recruiting is often won in those margins, where relationships and consistency matter most.

On3’s prediction should not be taken as gospel, but it is a strong indication of how the momentum is shifting. The RPM combines a mix of expert picks, visit frequency, social media activity, and other proprietary data points to generate its percentages. In this case, it’s becoming clear that LSU is more than just in the mix—they’re in position to possibly seal the deal.

For LSU fans, the news comes at a time when expectations for the 2025 class are soaring. With several high-profile commitments already secured, adding someone like Terry would elevate the group into potential top-three territory. That matters not just for rankings, but for long-term success. Championship programs are built along the lines of scrimmage, and Terry fits the mold of a future All-American.

In many ways, this recruitment also reflects the evolution of LSU’s recruiting strategy. Under Kelly, the Tigers have balanced in-state dominance with strategic out-of-state targeting. While Louisiana remains the program’s foundation, Kelly has shown a willingness to go into talent-rich states like Georgia, Texas, and Florida to find difference-makers. The pursuit of Terry exemplifies that mindset—a bold, aggressive, and calculated play for one of the nation’s best.

There’s still a long road to go. National Signing Day is months away, and as any seasoned recruiting observer knows, things can change quickly. Georgia won’t go down without a fight. But the fact that On3 is now leaning toward LSU is a sign of real progress. It validates the staff’s efforts and gives fans a reason to believe that more big wins could be coming.

What happens next will depend on a variety of factors. Will LSU continue to get Terry back on campus? Can they maintain the connection through the fall and into his senior season? Will Georgia be able to counter with a renewed push? And what role will NIL ultimately play in the final decision?

For now, LSU has to be pleased with where things stand. Flipping a five-star committed to a perennial power like Georgia is never easy. But On3’s projection offers proof that it’s possible—and perhaps even likely if current trends hold. If Kelly and his staff can pull this off, it would mark yet another statement in their mission to return LSU to the top of college football. Not just as a team that competes, but as a team that consistently wins the battles that matter most.

In the ever-evolving chessboard of SEC recruiting, this could be one of the season’s most decisive moves.