If you thought the 2024 season was a wild ride for the Bayou Bengals, buckle up. The LSU 2025 football roster isn't just a list of names on a depth chart anymore; it is the literal foundation of the Lane Kiffin era in Baton Rouge.
Things moved fast. One minute Brian Kelly is patrolling the sidelines, and the next, he’s out after a mid-season collapse, replaced by the "Portal King" himself. Honestly, the roster we’re looking at now is a fascinating mix of Kelly’s blue-chip recruits and Kiffin’s aggressive transfer portal surgery.
The transition hasn't been quiet. More than 30 players hit the portal since January 2nd. That’s a massive exodus. But if you know Lane, you know he doesn't just lose players; he replaces them with SEC-ready veterans who can play now.
The Quarterback Room Without Bryce Underwood
Let's address the elephant in the room. Most fans spent all of 2024 dreaming of Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 recruit who was supposed to be the savior. Then Michigan happened.
With Underwood staying home in Michigan, the LSU 2025 football roster took a sharp pivot. Garrett Nussmeier returned for the 2025 season and put up big numbers—over 3,000 yards—but it was a rocky road that ended in a 7-6 finish and a Texas Bowl loss.
Now, entering the 2026 offseason cycle, the room looks different:
- Michael Van Buren Jr.: The Mississippi State transfer who stepped in when Nussmeier got hurt late in '25. He's got real SEC starts under his belt and a decent 62% completion rate.
- The Hunt for a QB1: Kiffin is currently hunting for a new starter. Names like Sam Leavitt have been floated in the rumor mill as the Tigers look to upgrade the most important position on the field.
It’s kinda stressful, right? Having a wide-open QB battle in the SEC is never for the faint of heart. But Van Buren proved he could handle the pressure, throwing 8 touchdowns in limited action last year.
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LSU 2025 Football Roster: The New Weapons
The wide receiver room basically got a total makeover. Gone are the days of just relying on one or two stars; Kiffin is building a track team.
Barion Brown came over from Kentucky with a conference record for kickoff return touchdowns. He's electric. Then you’ve got Nic Anderson from Oklahoma. The guy set a freshman record for touchdowns in Norman and brings that 6-foot-4 frame that LSU has been missing since the Brian Thomas Jr. days.
Don’t forget the tight ends. Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma) and Trey’Dez Green are the primary targets now. Donovan Green, the Texas A&M transfer, actually slipped to third on the depth chart and recently hit the portal. It’s a "perform or leave" culture now.
Fixing the Trench Warfare
The offensive line was a disaster zone toward the end of Kelly’s tenure. Losing four guys to the NFL, including Will Campbell, left a void that wasn't easily filled.
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Braelin Moore has been the unsung hero. He transferred from Virginia Tech, took over the center spot, and played through an ankle injury for most of the season. He recently announced he’s coming back for the 2026 season, which is huge for stability. Beside him, Weston Davis is the other returning starter Kiffin is counting on.
On the defensive side, the addition of Patrick Payton from Florida State was a masterstroke. He’s a fifth-year senior with 16 career sacks. Pairing him with someone like Jimari Butler (Nebraska) gives LSU a pass rush that actually scares people again.
The Freshman Impact: DJ Pickett and Harlem Berry
While the portal gets the headlines, the 2025 signing class brought in some absolute freaks.
- DJ Pickett: The No. 1 cornerback in the country. He’s 6-foot-4 and runs a 10.7-second 100-meter dash. You don't keep a guy like that on the bench. Corey Raymond has been working with him personally to restore the "DBU" standard.
- Harlem Berry: The top-ranked running back in the nation. With Caden Durham hitting the portal, Berry is basically "The Man" now. He’s a Metairie kid who chose to stay home, and he’s expected to be the centerpiece of the backfield.
It’s rare to see a roster with this much turnover actually improve on paper, but Kiffin’s "volume and competition" strategy is a different beast entirely. He’s brought in 18 portal additions in just the last few weeks.
What This Means for You
If you're following the LSU 2025 football roster movements, you need to keep an eye on the January 16th portal deadline. That’s when the music stops for the current window.
The biggest takeaway? This isn't a rebuilding project; it's a retooling. Kiffin isn't interested in a three-year plan. He wants to win the SEC next year.
Actionable Next Steps:
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- Watch the QB Battle: Follow the spring practice reports closely to see if Van Buren holds onto the lead or if Kiffin brings in a high-profile "Rental QB" for a one-year playoff push.
- Monitor the O-Line: With guys like Carius Curne leaving for Ole Miss, LSU still needs at least two more starting-caliber tackles from the portal to keep whoever is at QB upright.
- Track the D-Line Rotation: Keep an eye on Stephiylan Green (Clemson transfer). His ability to eat up blocks will determine if linebackers like Whit Weeks can continue to lead the team in tackles.
The roster is a living document right now. What you see today might be 20% different by the time the spring game rolls around in April. That’s just the reality of modern college football in Baton Rouge.
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