What Brian Kelly Said About LSU Football’s Spring Game

Spring practice in college football is an important time for teams to evaluate talent, fine-tune their schemes, and set the stage for the upcoming season. For coaches, the spring game serves as a critical evaluation tool to assess the development of their players, establish depth charts, and identify areas that need improvement. One of the most anticipated spring games every year is LSU Football’s, as the Tigers are consistently one of the top programs in the country. Under head coach Brian Kelly, LSU is in the midst of a transition to becoming an even more formidable force in college football.

Since taking over as the head coach of LSU in 2022, Brian Kelly has navigated the challenges of rebuilding a program while maintaining its tradition of success. Kelly, a coach with experience and success at programs like Notre Dame, has brought a methodical, disciplined approach to LSU football. His first season at the helm showed promise, and now, heading into the 2025 season, all eyes are on the Tigers as they gear up for what many expect to be another championship-caliber campaign.

As spring practice wraps up, Kelly offered his thoughts on the 2025 LSU spring game, touching on everything from individual player performances to team dynamics and areas of focus. Here, we dive into Kelly’s insights on the spring game and what it means for LSU’s upcoming season.

Setting the Stage for the Spring Game

Before discussing the game itself, it’s important to understand the significance of the spring game in Kelly’s program. Spring games are often seen as opportunities for fans to get a glimpse of the team’s development, but for coaches, they serve as critical evaluation tools. Spring football is about building chemistry, refining systems, and giving young players a chance to prove themselves on the field.

For Kelly, the spring game represents a chance to assess how well his team has absorbed the coaching during the offseason and spring practices. “Spring ball is important, but the spring game is where you really get to see how the players react when the lights come on and they’re in a game-like environment,” Kelly explained. “It’s not just about physical talent. It’s about mental focus, execution, and how well they adapt to game situations.”

This is where Kelly’s experience and ability to analyze both the Xs and Os, as well as the mindset of his players, really shines. Kelly emphasized that the spring game provides clarity on which players have truly bought into the system and are ready to contribute in the fall.

“It’s an opportunity for us to get a look at where we are as a team, but also where we need to improve. We’ve made a lot of strides during spring practice, but the spring game is going to give us a true sense of where we stand.”

Quarterback Play: A Critical Focus for LSU

One of the most talked-about positions heading into LSU’s spring game was the quarterback position. The Tigers have seen some significant turnover at the position, and Kelly made it clear that the spring game would be pivotal in deciding how the team moves forward at quarterback.

“We’re still in the process of evaluating the quarterback room,” Kelly said. “We’ve got some great talent there, and this spring game is going to be huge for those guys. It’s important that they show they can operate the offense efficiently, make quick decisions, and, most importantly, take care of the football. That’s the number one thing we’re looking for.”

As Kelly mentioned, quarterback play is a cornerstone of any successful college football team. With the Tigers expected to compete for a high ranking in the SEC and potentially a College Football Playoff berth, the quarterback position was always going to be under the microscope. Whether it’s a returning starter or a new face, the quarterback must be able to make precise throws, read defenses, and manage the game effectively.

During the spring game, LSU’s quarterbacks were given opportunities to showcase their skills in live-action situations. Kelly pointed to Jayden Daniels, the incumbent starting quarterback, as a player who had made significant strides in his development. Daniels, a transfer from Arizona State, took over as the starting quarterback for LSU in 2023 and provided an immediate spark. Kelly was pleased with his performance during the spring, but he also noted the importance of competition at the position.

“We’ve got to keep the competition open,” Kelly explained. “Jayden has been doing a great job, but we’ve got a lot of young talent pushing him. The spring game will help us see if any of the young quarterbacks can make a move.”

Kelly also praised the development of Garrett Nussmeier, the backup quarterback, who has shown promise in limited action during the previous seasons. Nussmeier’s growth as a player has been one of the bright spots for LSU, and Kelly seemed optimistic about his future with the program.

“The competition between those two has been great for us. We want a quarterback who can come in and lead the team, and we want to create an environment where both guys push each other to get better every day.”

Wide Receivers: A Key Area of Improvement

Another focal point for Kelly heading into the spring game was the play of LSU’s wide receivers. The Tigers have a history of developing elite wide receivers, and with key departures from last year’s roster, it was essential for the coaching staff to identify who would step up and fill the void.

Kelly admitted that while the team has talented pass catchers, consistency has been an issue. “We have some guys with great talent, but they’ve got to be more consistent in their execution,” Kelly said. “The spring game will be a chance for them to show that they can handle the pressure of playing in a game situation. We need them to make plays when the ball comes their way.”

During the spring game, Kelly was particularly focused on seeing how LSU’s receivers handled press coverage, ran their routes, and created separation against quality defenders. LSU’s receivers have the tools to be a top-tier group, but as Kelly pointed out, it’s their ability to perform when the spotlight is on them that will ultimately make or break their season.

“I think we have some real playmakers on the outside, but now they need to translate that potential into consistent production,” Kelly said. “We’ll be looking at who can step up and be a go-to guy in critical moments.”

One player that Kelly singled out for praise was Kyren Lacy, who transferred to LSU from Louisiana. Lacy had an impressive spring camp and was seen as one of the top performers in the spring game. Kelly praised his ability to make plays in all areas of the field, including deep routes and quick, short-yardage situations.

“Kyren has been everything we hoped for and more,” Kelly said. “He’s got good hands, good speed, and the ability to make plays after the catch. I’m excited to see what he can do once we get into the regular season.”

Offensive Line: Continuity and Development

In addition to quarterback play and receiver development, the offensive line was another area Kelly emphasized leading into the spring game. The Tigers have dealt with some turnover along the offensive line, and Kelly made it clear that finding continuity and cohesion was a priority.

“We’ve had some moving parts up front, but I’m happy with the progress the offensive line has made this spring,” Kelly said. “They’ve been physical, they’ve been disciplined, and they’re starting to gel as a unit. We’ve got to see if that carries over into the spring game.”

Kelly spoke about the importance of depth on the offensive line, as injuries and fatigue can take a toll over the course of a season. The spring game was an opportunity for LSU to evaluate its depth and to see which players could step up in case of injury or other setbacks. The offensive line’s ability to protect the quarterback and create running lanes for the running backs will be crucial to LSU’s success in 2025.

“I’m looking for guys who can step in and play at a high level if called upon,” Kelly said. “It’s not just about the starters—it’s about the depth, and that’s something we’ve been focused on all spring.”

Defensive Focus: Strong Fundamentals and Discipline

On the defensive side of the ball, Kelly stressed the importance of maintaining strong fundamentals and playing with discipline. LSU has traditionally been known for its dominant defense, and Kelly reiterated that he expects his players to continue this tradition.

“We’ve got to play fast, physical, and smart,” Kelly said. “Our defense has been doing a great job this spring, but they have to continue to improve their technique. It’s not just about making plays—it’s about consistently making the right decisions.”

Kelly also emphasized that LSU’s defense needs to continue working on communication and team chemistry. In a game like the spring game, where there is a lot of focus on individual players, Kelly was keen to see how well his defense worked together as a unit. Whether it was the defensive line’s ability to pressure the quarterback or the secondary’s ability to cover wide receivers, Kelly wanted to see his defense executing at a high level.

Conclusion: Building Towards the Fall

As Kelly wrapped up his thoughts on LSU’s spring game, it was clear that he was focused on continued improvement. “Spring ball is about getting better, finding out who can step up, and laying the foundation for the fall,” Kelly said. “We’ve made a lot of progress this spring, but the real work starts when we get into summer camp and then the season. We’ll continue to evaluate and develop our players, but I like where we’re at right now.”

For LSU, the 2025 spring game was more than just an exhibition—it was an opportunity to refine skills, develop chemistry, and set the stage for what could be a championship-caliber season. With Brian Kelly at the helm, the Tigers are poised for another successful campaign, and the spring game served as an important benchmark in their journey toward national prominence.