It’s fair to say that LSU’s approach to NIL and the transfer portal has made significant strides in resources, efficiency, and competitiveness. 247Sports ranks the 2025 LSU transfer class first in the country, and this group couldn’t have arrived at a better time for Brian Kelly.
The expectations surrounding the program have evolved as Kelly now enters his fourth season. For fans, the excitement of adding talent only adds to the anticipation of returning to the top of the college football world. Now that the Tigers seem to be on a level playing field outside the lines, there’s more of a sense of urgency between them.
The Significance of LSU’s 2025 Transfer Class
Sources of Pressure Meet Demands of the Schedule
Some would say that playoff expansion was put in place to give more teams a shot at a championship. Others consider more teams playing more games a money grab, considering the slim odds of some of these teams winning four straight against such a high level of competition. Either way, the added playoff spots also add to the pressure to get in.
Speaking of playoffs, Notre Dame’s results also affect the climate in Baton Rouge to an extent. It shouldn’t matter what the Irish do, as Kelly and Marcus Freeman took over different programs at different stages with vastly different schedules. But logic doesn’t always prevail in the formation of public perception.
LSU’s schedule won’t do it any favors. Dabo Swinney and Clemson also have high expectations and a talent-laden roster to go with them. South Carolina will bring a likely Heisman candidate in Lanorris Sellers to Baton Rouge, and Florida’s DJ Lagway’s trajectory is scary. Besides that, trips to Tuscaloosa are rarely fun. As always, the Tigers will have their work cut out for them.
The Lessons of Previous Classes
Fortunately for LSU, we’ve seen the instant impact that quality transfer classes can have in Baton Rouge. In 2022, Kelly was forced to attack the transfer portal to replenish a depleted roster, and he did so successfully. His first class brought seven players who started immediately, including Jayden Daniels, Mekhi Wingo, and Jarrick Bernard-Converse. These veterans became cornerstones of the team and helped the Tigers to a 10-4 record after the 2021 team went 6-7.
LSU’s 2023 group of transfers presents the other side of the coin. Despite its share of contributors, the misses proved costly. Defensive coordinator Matt House was unable to maximize the talent in his unit, and a historically bad defense held back one of the greatest offenses to ever wear purple and gold.
The Tiger staff opted to pass on a few defensive tackle transfers in 2024 rather than overpay for them. In the end, the LSU defense was serviceable on the interior defensive line, but that won’t cut it in the SEC. The results reinforced the importance of addressing problem areas before the Spring window when prices are at a premium.
Way-T00-Early Assessment of 2025 LSU Transfer Class
While we don’t know the impact the latest group will have, the staff deserves credit for avoiding the same situation it faced in 2024. After Spring practice this year, the Tigers took only two transfer players in defensive tackle Bernard Gooden from USF and Houston’s AJ Haulcy at safety. Haulcy was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2024, and both players were among the best available at their respective positions.
Kelly spoke about the confidence he had in his roster even before the latest additions. “If you ask me right now, I would be happy to take this roster right into May on both sides of it. Maybe that’s fool’s gold. Maybe that’s wishing more than it is anything else, but I like what we’ve done with this roster. I like the development of it,” he stated in his post-Spring presser.
Spring camp showed us that guys like Mansoor Delane will have a significant role in the secondary, and Barion Brown will be a heavily utilized weapon offensively. But how good will they be? The answer to this question is compelling, as the level of success these transfers and others in the class have on the field will decide the ceiling of LSU’s 2025 season.
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