LSU head coach Brian Kelly has essentially established the Tigers’ core for the upcoming few seasons before the 2024 campaign officially kicks off.
Five-star athlete D.J. Pickett, class of 2025, made his pledge to LSU known on Wednesday. He joins quarterback Bryce Underwood and running back Harlem Berry as the third five-star recruit that Kelly has acquired to the class for the next season.
With three universities (Ohio State, Alabama) that have at least three five-star recruits, LSU is one of the four programs with the fourth-ranked 2025 recruiting class according to 247Sports.
According to the composite rankings of 247 Sports, Underwood is the best player in the class, while Pickett is ranked sixth. Berry is the class’ top-ranked running back and the 16th overall prospect.
Pickett provided an explanation to ESPN as to why he choose LSU over his other two finalists, Oregon and Miami.
“Corey Raymond, the LSU secondary coach, and I get along well. I love being in relationships. LSU is also DBU,” he remarked.
Numerous future All-Pro defensive backs, including as Patrick Peterson, Derek Stingley Jr. of the Texans, and Tre’Davious White of the Rams, were educated at LSU.
In addition to playing double duty as a 1,000-yard receiver in 2023, Pickett recorded 31 tackles and one interception as a junior, according to ESPN’s Eli Lederman.
With the talent Kelly has accumulated in 2025, he might be the next great defensive back to wear purple and gold, and he might be on the LSU team that wins a title in the future.
Kelly has successfully rebuilt the Tigers. After winning the 2019 national championship, he took over a program that had finished 11–12 in its first two seasons. Since then, the team has gone 20–7, which is the second-most wins of any LSU head coach in his first two seasons.
Jayden Daniels, the quarterback, became the second Tiger in five seasons to win the Heisman Trophy last year.
This week at the SEC media days, Kelly disclosed that even with his achievements, he still has work to do to get LSU to its rightful place.
It’s obvious that leading the nation in offensive capability was insufficient. Kelly remarked, “I believe you need to have a lot more balance.”
Texas and Oklahoma have joined the SEC, making the conference far more challenging. LSU (+1000) is ranked fifth in preseason SEC championship odds by ESPN Bet.
With a strong recruiting class inbound, we shouldn’t rule out Kelly and the Tigers making waves this season, but the best is probably yet to come.
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