LSU Football kicked off its season participating in a glorified, open-to-the-public spring practice format that focused more about the fan experience and less on the numbers displayed on the scoreboard.
For the first time this season, the purple and gold faithful were able to walk into Tiger Stadium and have the opportunity to catch a glimpse at the newly reconstructed roster.
Witnessing the development of talent on both sides of the ball, fans were additionally treated, after the conclusion of the 14-period event, to an autograph session with each coach in the football program
Serving as the cherry on top, those in attendance were given an opportunity to take a photo with LSU Football Head Coach Brian Kelly.
Notably, many former prominent LSU star players could be located on the sidelines throughout these make-shift scrimmages. Ranging from projected third-round pick Bradyn Swinson to Josh Williams, the power of the brotherhood surrounding LSU Football was put on display.
JaMarcus Russell, the former superstar LSU quarterback (2003-2007) and No.1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, stopped by to witness the unique identity that this season’s roster has begun to formulate in preparation for a season filled with high expectations.
“I know that we have some great things ahead. We saw some beautiful things today, from the offensive and defensive sides of the ball,” Russell said. “Something I always wait for is the [regular] season… the expectation for me is always high [and] through the roof knowing the LSU life and the way.”
From an offensive standpoint, Harlem Berry, the No.1 running back prospect in the 2025 class continues to turn heads and make his presence known from the backfield. Through capitalizing on his reps by utilizing his explosive burst of speed and patient ball carrier vision, the spring enrollee has already guaranteed himself essential playing time this upcoming season.
Shifting gears, on the defensive side of the ball, the top-rated player in LSU’s 2025 signing class continues to experience drastic improvement with each passing practice session.
5-star prospect DJ Pickett, who was formerly rated as the nation’s No.1 cornerback in high school, has transitioned seamlessly into going up against collegiate competition and has it sights directly on cementing his name into popular, ongoing conversations surrounding D.B.U.
However, taking a closer look into the construction of this season’s roster reveals that the impending success heavily relies on 5th-year senior starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
Coming off a shaky, yet promising production in the passing game last season, which saw him finish fifth in the nation in passing yards (just over 4,000 yards), Nussmeier currently boasts the second-best odds on various sportsbooks to bring home LSU’s fourth Heisman trophy award.
Looking to follow in the footsteps of both Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, who each won the Heisman in their second season as the starting quarterback in the purple gold, passionate fans remain hopeful that Nussmeier will make the necessary adjustments to his offensive skill set and decision-making.
Dryden Manville, who is a student at LSU and considers himself to be a passionate LSU Football fan, recognizes the abundance of potential that this gunslinger possesses.
“I definitely think [Nussmeier’s] ceiling is Heisman… I think he needs to learn how to scramble more,” Manville said. “We’re not going to have the best [offensive] line in the country anymore, at least so they say. There may not be so much pocket protection, so you can run and there’s no one like getting mad at you if you choose to run.”
Entering his fourth season as the head coach of LSU Football, Brian Kelly boasts a 29-11 record, which includes back-to-back 10-win seasons in his first two seasons.
With the expansion of the College Football Playoffs and the reinforcements that have been acquired through both recruiting and the transfer portal, Kelly’s expectations for this season are reasonably optimistic toward clinching a playoff berth for the first time since the historic 2019-20 championship run.
In relation to the evolution of his relationship with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, reflecting on his initial impression of this hopeful, loyal player enables Brian Kelly to acknowledge the type of player and individual that best characterizes the prominent leader of his football program.
“My very first conversation with Garrett [Nussmeier] was when I first got the job,” Head Coach Brian Kelly said. “He came in and said,’ Coach, I’m a Tiger and I just want to let you know I’m going to be here.’” You see that kind of steadfast commitment to being here at LSU and I think he’s going to reap the benefits of that.”
Additionally, the remainder of the Tigers’ quarterback room has experienced serious revamping.
Michael Van Buren Jr., who transferred from Mississippi State this offseason following a breakout freshman campaign that resulted in nearly 1,900 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, provides much-needed assistance in terms of depth for this position.
Furthermore, Buren Jr. has the opportunity to perfect his craft and offers future stability following Nussmeier’s departure, who’s projected to be an early first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
Moving forward, the last listed quarterback in the depth chart has an interesting storyline.
Sophomore Ju’Juan Johnson, who served as a backup running back/cornerback last season, has successfully transitioned to the quarterback room.
Finishing with over 10,500 passing yards (117 passing touchdowns) and nearly 4,000 rushing yards (54 rushing touchdowns) in high school, Johnson isn’t unfamiliar with leading an offense through both the rushing and passing game.
While having sneaky arm talent, Johnson also serves as a gadget substitution in certain packages that can be a serious threat by scrambling when deemed necessary.
Both Van Buren Jr. and Johnson received reps during the spring practice, during which both players got comfortable with a new, innovative offensive scheme.
Notably, Buren Jr. remained remarkably poised in the pocket and delivered perfectly placed throws to his offensive weapons, including senior wide receiver Barion Brown, who transferred from the University of Kentucky this offseason.
Johnson faced some challenges with his throws but significantly excelled in read-option play calls, generating substantial gains on certain rushes.
As the newly-constructed rooster continues to become more acclimated, the excitement surrounding this season continues to reach new heights.
With this in mind, it shouldn’t come as a shock that other prominent LSU athletes are starting to take note of just how explosive this team can actually be when firing on all cylinders.
LSU Women’s Basketball superstar junior guard Flau’Jae Johnson, who is also the current girlfriend of LSU Football wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr., was also in attendance for this spring practice event and spoke highly of her boyfriend’s aspirations of putting together his best collegiate season.
“Chris Hilton [Jr.]… I mean, I’m speechless… he’s got me blushing already,” Johnson said. “Y’all watch out… big season coming [up]. No. 3 is here and y’all saw it in the last bowl game… but that was just a little taste.”
Looking ahead, the LSU Tigers will travel to the opposing version of Death Valley on August 30, 2025, to face the Cade Klubnik-led Clemson Tigers, which will kick off both teams’ regular seasons.
