2025 LSU Football Preview
Erik Trosclair • August 28, 2025
Let's get into it!
The 2025 LSU football season is here! Here we go Tiger fans!!! This may be the biggest season of Brian Kelly's tenure at LSU. The Tigers are ranked 9th in both the AP and coaches polls.
Number 7
For the second consecutive season, Harold Perkins, Jr., has been awarded the number 7 jersey. The number 7 jersey is awarded to an electric playmaker who is also a leader.
Number 18
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been awarded the honor of wearing the number 18 jersey. The number 18 jersey is awarded to a true leader on and off the football field. This is a perfect choice for this number.
Preseason Award Watch Lists
Maxwell Award - Garrett Nussmeier, Caden Durham
Bronko Nagurski - Whit Weeks
Butkus - Harold Perkins Jr., Whit Weeks
Wuerffel - Harold Perkins Jr.
Paul Hornung - Zavion Thomas
Lou Groza - Damien Ramos'
Walter Camp - Garrett Nussmeier
Biletnikoff - Aaron Anderson
Davey O'Brien - Garrett Nussmeier
AP Preseason All American - Garrett Nussmeier, Whit Weeks, Harold Perkins Jr.
Preseason Coaches All SEC - Garrett Nussmeier, Whit Weeks, Barion Brown, Caden Durham, Aaron Anderson, Harold Perkins Jr., and Zavion Thomas (WR and Return Specialist)
Offense
Quarterbacks
#18 Garrett Nussmeier - You cannot say enough good things about this guy. In a world full of transfers, Garrett stayed at LSU to wait his turn. Garrett has high expectations for the season that lies ahead. According to DraftKings, Nuss has the 2nd best odds to win the Heisman.
#11 Michael Van Buren Jr - The Mississippi State transfer comes into the season with valuable starting experience. The dual threat quarterback brings a lot to the table.
#16 Colin Hurley - Entering his redshirt sophomore season, Hurley has had an impressive camp.
Running Backs
#29 Caden Durham - Coming off of a Freshman All SEC season, Durham is looking to have a big season. Look for Caden to touch the ball early and often.
#28 Kaleb Jackson - The junior has played in all 26 games of his LSU career. He brings value to this offense and special teams.
#8 Ju'Juan Johnson - Possibly one of the most versatile Tigers on this roster. Johnson has spent time in many position rooms. Look for Ju'Juan to get plenty of touches this season.
#22 Harlem Berry, #23 JT Lindsey - These two true freshmen will add valuable depth to the backfield.
Tight Ends
#14 Trey'Dez Green - At 6'7" and 240 pounds, Trey'Dez will be a red zone threat. The two sport athlete will have a big part in this offense.
#10 Bauer Sharp - The versatile tight end brings a lot of experience to this tight end group. Bauer has played in 37 games at tight end and quarterback in his college career.
#88 Donovan Green, #47 JD Lafleur, and #45 GiVanni Peterson - All three will provide valuable depth.
Offensive Line
#71 Tyree Adams - Probable starter at left tackle
#65 Paul Mubenga - Probable starter at left guard
#61 Braelin Moore - Probable starter at center
#56 Josh Thompson - Probable starter at right guard
#75 Weston Davis - Probable starter at right tackle
#79 DJ Chester, #78 Coen Echols, #57 Carius Curne - Look for these three to get a lot of playing time.
Wide Receivers
#3 Chris Hilton Jr. - Look for Chris to be involved in a big way this season. This can be a huge season for Hilton Jr.
#1 Aaron Anderson - Aaron was the most consistent receiver for the Tigers last season. Look for Aaron to continue to step up in big moments.
#0 Zavion Thomas - Thomas is a threat anytime he touches the football.
#6 Barion Brown - The 3 time All SEC wide receiver is the most experienced in this group. Brown is a big play threat.
#4 Nic Anderson - Anderson had a huge freshman season at Oklahoma. Nic looks to build off of that season after missing last season.
This is an extremely deep wide receiver room.
Defense
Defensive Tackle
#96 Dominick McKinley - At 6'6, and 308 pounds, Dominick McKinley looks to make a statement for the Tigers this season.
#88 Bernard Gooden - The 5th year senior will bring a ton of experience to the defensive tackle position for the Tigers.
#16 Ahmad Breaux - The true sophomore will look to build off of a strong freshman season.
#90 Jacobian Guillory II - The 6th year graduate student is a true leader on this team. He brings a lot of talent and experience to this group.
Defensive End/JACK -
#44 Jack Pyburn - The Florida transfer has 80 total tackles in his career. Jack has hit the ground running in Baton Rouge. Get familiar with this name Tiger fans!
#19 Gabriel Reiford - Reiford had a strong freshman season. He will be making a statement this season for the Tigers.
#6 Patrick Payton - Payton played in 40 games in 4 seasons at Florida State. Payton has 16 sacks to his name.
#12 Jimari Butler - The graduate transfer from Nebraska has played in 36 games with 7.5 sacks.
Linebackers
#33 West Weeks - The graduate student looks to continue building on his strong career at LSU.
#40 Whit Weeks - The true junior, with 174 career total tackles, is looking to have a huge season for the Tigers.
#42 Davhon Keys - Keys burst onto the scene last season for the Tigers. The sophomore flies to the football.
#46 Tylen Singleton - Tylen had a big offseason. Tiger fans will be hearing this name often.
STAR Position - The STAR position is a safety/linebacker hybrid in Blake Baker's defense.
#7 Harold Perkins Jr. - It goes without saying, Harold Perkins Jr. is a massive part of the success of the Tiger defense.
Cornerback
#4 Mansoor Delane - The Houston transfer has 146 total tackles and 6 interceptions in his career. Look for Mansoor to have a big season.
#1 Ashton Stamps - One of my favorite Tigers. Ashton is an extremely hard worker and plays with passion. Look for Ashton to continue his strong LSU career.
#11 PJ Woodland - PJ stepped up early in his Tiger career. The true sophomore brings experience and production to this defense.
#3 DJ Pickett - At 6'5" and 195 pounds, look for DJ to make a quick impact this season. Pickett had a great offseason.
Safety
#13 AJ Haulcy - The Houston transfer has 259 total tackles, 7 interceptions, 15 pass breakups, and 22 passes defended in his career. This guy has a nose for the football.
#10 Dashawn Spears - Dashawn had an extremely productive freshman season. Look for Dashawn to have a strong presence in the defensive backfield.
#0 Tamarcus "Agent Zero" Cooley - Tamarcus had a strong season at NC State last season with 39 total tackles and 3 interceptions. Tamarcus will look to keep the momentum going.
#25 Javien Toviano - Toviano has played in 26 games in 2 seasons with LSU. Javien can provide valuable depth all over the defensive backfield.
Special Teams
Kickoff Specialist
#32 Aeron Burrell - Burrell has a cannon for a leg. He finished in the top 3 in the nation in kickoff average. Aeron will look to build off of his All SEC 2024 campaign.
Kicker
#34 Damian Ramos - The fifth year senior will look to build on his strong LSU career.
Punter
#90 Grant Chadwick - The All Conference USA punter brings his talents to Baton Rouge. Tiger fans should feel great with Grant taking over the punting duties.
Long/Deep Snapper
#49 Jonathan Ferguson - Ferguson is likely to take over as the long snapper for the Tigers.
Return Specialist
#0 Zavion Thomas - A big play waiting to happen.
#6 Barion Brown - Brown can take one to the house at any point in the game.
These two returners are EXPLOSIVE!
GEAUX TIGERS!
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