Call this the LSU Tigers reaping the fruits of Brian Kelly's recruiting mastermind, but the program could boast more freshman starters than initially expected.
After lining up one of the finest 2026 recruitment classes, Kelly should also boast one of the finest freshman players in the 2025 season.
The post-spring practice updates from Baton Rouge are looking optimistic, primarily the ones from the freshman players.
"I just think overall, the understanding of how to go out and compete in practice has been really, for me, outstanding for the young guys to pick it up, like the Solomon Thomas‘ and Carius Curne‘s," Kelly commented post-spring practice.
Interestingly, Thomas and Curne, although ranked amongst the top offensive linemen in the 2025 recruiting class, are not the only crown jewels of the program.
Cornerback DJ Pickett and running back Harlem Berry, both touted as the No. 1 prospects nationally in their positions in the class of 2025, have also had a notable spring practice session.
"They’ve done an incredible job as young players coming in and understanding how to compete. The DJ Pickett‘s, all of our mid-year freshmen, have come in and really have adapted so quickly," Kelly said. "And I guess that’s why they’re mid-years, right?"
"They’re so far ahead of their freshman counterparts that it really does show why they were able to graduate early from high school, because they were much more mature. Those kids have done an incredible job of really blending in and showing that they belong right away. They’re going to be so far ahead coming into camp relative to being able to compete. That’s been kind of a surprise to me.
"This is the first class that I’ve had at mid-semester where it’s not like, 'that guy is so far away.' It just feels like they’ve been here, and that’s been a bit of a surprise."
Whether all of them get a chance to start on LSU's season opener against Clemson, a wide favorite to be one of the toughest outs this season, will remain to be seen.