LSU Football head Coach Brian Kelly addressed the media following the roller-coaster of National Signing Day and offered insight into the recruiting process that allowed the Tigers to secure such an impressive recruiting class.
After the dust settled, the incoming Tigers’ 2025 recruiting class includes 23 players and finishes as the eighth-best recruiting class in the nation.
Right before the press conference started, all of the purple and gold faithful held their breath as the Instagram live notification for the best prospect in LSU’s recruitment class popped up.
5-star cornerback D.J. Pickett from Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Florida, who is ranked by On3 as the No.1 cornerback prospect in the 2025 class and the No. 12 player in the country, announced on his live stream that he would be signing with the LSU Tigers.
The 6’4, dynamic defensive back, who finished his high school career with 94 total tackles and 10 interceptions, is expected to make an impact on the field right away in his freshman season.
“We believe he’s hand down the best corner [prospect] in the country,” Head Coach Brian Kelly said. “He’s about as close as there is [to being a] lockdown corner in the country. This is an elite player that we’re excited to have in our roster.”
One surprise involved the talented 5-star interior offensive lineman Soloman Thomas flipping his commitment from Florida State to LSU. He had previously been committed to the Seminoles since Dec. 22, 2023 and remained in touch with Miami, Florida, and apparently the Tigers as well.
Rated as the No. 32 overall prospect and the No. 2 IOL in the 2025 recruiting class, this unexpected flip to head to Baton Rouge serves as a massive National Signing Day victory for Brian Kelly and the Tigers.
LSU’s last 5-star in the 2025 recruitment class is the explosive, versatile running back Harlem Berry from St. Martin’s Episcopal School in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Berry had been verbally committed to LSU since Jan. 3, 2024, and never batted an eye toward schools such as Florida, Texas, and Alabama that made last-second efforts to pry him away.
During his time at St. Martin’s, Berry rushed for over 8,571 yards (averaging 12.4 yards per carry) and 142 touchdowns, while securing 52 receptions for nearly 888 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Berry concluded his senior year with over 2,178 yards rushing and 41 touchdowns. He also had 20 receptions for 340 yards and found the end zone for four scores.
“[Berry] can impact the game as a guy coming out of the backfield, catching the football, running the football, and special teams,” Kelly said. “[He’s an] elite player that can truly do many things for your team.”
Additionally, Kelly managed to sign 18 four-star prospects and also two three-star recruits.
When taking a closer look at the numbers behind these signings, 4-star offensive lineman Carius Curne is the No. 1 ranked player in Arkansas.
4-star defensive edge Damien Shanklin, who is the No. 1 ranked player in Indiana, also put his pen to the paper to play in the purple and gold next season.
“An edge player with an incredible attitude of excitement and energy,” Kelly said. “He’s an elite pass-rusher and [we’re] excited about him.”
Another interesting storyline upon the conclusion of this recruiting class was the signing of 4-star linebacker Zach Weeks, the brother of current LSU linebackers Whit and West Weeks. This signing completes the trifecta of the Weeks calling Baton Rouge their official home away from home.
However, recognizing the success of this year’s recruiting class makes it hard to ignore the disappointments of a couple of generational players who decided to land elsewhere.
Last Thursday, a bombshell dropped when 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2025, announced on social media his decision to flip his commitment from LSU to Michigan (his hometown school) due to its offer of approximately $12 million in NIL funding.
Additionally, the Tigers were shocked by the decision of 5-star cornerback Kade Phillips to flip his commitment from LSU to the Texas Longhorns.
Ranked as the No. 23 overall prospected and No. 5 rated cornerback in the class, this unfolding of events truly left fans wondering about what is going on behind closed doors.
“If you’re a fan, you [have] to look at this as if the glass is half full or half empty,” Kelly said. “This is an outstanding class. Would we have wanted all of the guys? Yeah, we fought hard for all of those guys.”
In direct reference to the decisions made by Underwood and Phillips to flip their commitment, Kelly said, “Those two guys loved LSU. They didn’t have much of a choice.”
On paper, this is by far the best recruiting class that Kelly has cooked up as he enters his third season at LSU.
