As the 2024 LSU football season comes to an end with its final home game being this Saturday against Oklahoma, the team has a lot to reflect on and look forward to as it prepares for next year.
LSU has found itself at a crossroads with the recent flip of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood. This leaves the Tigers with only three offensive commits for the 2025 season, which starkly differs from the powerful recruits of other SEC rivals like Alabama, Georgia, and even schools like Texas A&M.
With the looming question of LSU’s depth and competitiveness, it will remain an uphill battle to remain a contender in the nation’s toughest conference.
As of right now the incoming class of 2025 recruits for the offense are as follows. JT Lindsey, who’s officially shut down his recruitment, Carius Curne, Harlem Berry and finally Phillip Wright.
Looking at running back JT Lindsey from Alexandria, Louisiana, the 5-foot-11 offensive player is one of the four-star recruits coming to Baton Rouge. For his 2023 football season, he recorded 1,729 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns.
Another running back making his way to Baton Rouge is Harlem Berry from Metairie, Louisiana. The four-star running back has recorded a 10.57-second 100-meter dash. Also looking at his 2023 football stats, he had 2,080 rushing yards,and 37 rushing touchdowns.
Next year LSU will be able to play into its running backs with Caden Durham as well as new freshmen JT Lindsey and Harlem Berry. Being able to use these three top-notch running backs, LSU’s offense could start looking up.
Another offensive player who may be coming down to Baton Rouge is Phillip Wright, a wide receiver from Desrehan, Louisiana. Coming in rated at three stars, he runs a 10.46-second 100-yard dash.
And finally, inside offensive lineman Carius Curne from Marion, Arkansas, is a four-star lineman ranked No. 68 nationally for the class of 2025, according to 247Sports. Coming in at 6 feet 4 inches and 301 pounds, he will be a pivotal asset to the Tiger offense next season.
These four potential Tigers will continue to help develop the Tiger offense, and after watching a struggling offense led by struggling quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, these 2025 recruits will be necessary.
Bryce Underwood’s departure from the Tigers is the biggest recruitment flip in Michigan’s history. After a long-time verbal commitment by Underwood, this sudden flip took the college football world by storm.
The 6-foot-3 dual-threat quarterback from Belleville, Michigan, was the top recruit in the nation, which would have been a saving grace to the 2025 LSU football team. But this unexpected flip led to a significant blow to the recruiting momentum. He’d served as a magnet for other offensive recruits to come to LSU.
Now LSU is scrambling to fill the void of this tragic loss. With limited options so late in the recruiting cycle, it will have to hope their 2026 offensive class is strong. As well as the 2026 class the offense will have to perform better to help create a much stronger recruiting class.
What’s next for LSU in the scheme of things to remain competitive in the SEC, the coaching staff needs to address the immediate concerns of the lack of offensive production.
However, the approach will also need to be taking a look at the NIL strategies that LSU is using to be able to compete with teams like Michigan, Alabama and Texas A&M. Comparing it back to Bryce Underwood, LSU reportedly only offered Underwood $1.5 million for each year he spent at the university. This is almost nothing compared to Michigan’ total package of up to $12 million.
The 2025 season represents a critical juncture for LSU football. While these four offensive recruits in their class show promise and potential to help flip the offense next year, they are unlikely to give an immediate elevation to the program.
Without an outstanding quarterback like Bryce Underwood and a larger recruiting class like other SEC schools, there will need to be immediate action. LSU is risking falling behind quickly in the SEC arms race to continue developing a top-ranked team.
The road ahead the Tigers are following requires strategic use of the transfer portal, innovative coaching and a smart emphasis on NIL for these future recruits. This will help the Tigers as a force to be reckoned with for the 2025 season and beyond.