Where LSU Football Sits in Pre-Spring Practice SEC Power Rankings from USA Today

The SEC remains the gold standard in college football, a conference where top-tier programs routinely contend for national championships, and the competition is relentless. As spring practice approaches for the 2025 season, programs across the Southeastern Conference (SEC) are looking to sharpen their rosters, fine-tune strategies, and build momentum heading into the fall. LSU, a program with rich history and a recent resurgence under head coach Brian Kelly, is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing teams in the conference. But where do the Tigers currently sit in the pre-spring practice SEC power rankings from USA Today?

To answer that, we’ll explore LSU’s current standing, the program’s recent performance, its key personnel, and what makes the team a significant contender in the SEC as it heads into spring practices.

LSU’s Recent Performance and Rebound Under Brian Kelly

LSU’s football program has had its fair share of ups and downs in the past decade. After a national championship win in 2019 under head coach Ed Orgeron, the program endured a turbulent couple of seasons marked by inconsistent play and off-field issues. Orgeron, despite his success in 2019, was eventually let go, and the program turned to Brian Kelly to restore its place among the elite.

Kelly’s hire, while initially met with mixed reactions due to his outsider status in Baton Rouge, has quickly proven to be a masterstroke. In his first season (2022), Kelly led LSU to an impressive 10-4 record, including a victory over Alabama, a monumental win for the program. LSU’s rise was rapid, particularly considering the challenges Kelly faced, such as inheriting a roster that needed retooling and adjusting to SEC expectations.

Under Kelly’s leadership, LSU has demonstrated resilience, sound coaching, and a commitment to regaining its spot as one of the SEC’s top teams. Despite some hiccups, particularly in losing a high-scoring affair to Tennessee in 2022 and an early bowl game exit in 2023, Kelly has instilled a competitive edge that is helping LSU return to prominence.

LSU’s Strengths Heading into 2025: The Key to SEC Power Rankings

USA Today’s SEC power rankings pre-spring practice take into account multiple factors: recent success, roster stability, returning talent, recruiting rankings, coaching stability, and potential for improvement. Here are the key areas where LSU is looking strong heading into spring practice for the 2025 season.

1. The Quarterback Position: Jayden Daniels and Depth

The quarterback position remains one of the most critical factors for any team in the SEC. LSU’s offense is in good hands with Jayden Daniels, who has emerged as a star under Kelly’s tutelage. Daniels had an outstanding 2023 campaign, accounting for over 4,000 total yards and 36 touchdowns (passing and rushing combined). His dual-threat ability has made LSU’s offense dynamic, and his leadership will be key as LSU aims for greater success in 2025.

Daniels’ ability to stretch the field with his legs and make plays when the pocket breaks down is a crucial asset for LSU’s offense. However, what has also stood out is his improved passing ability, which became more refined as the season progressed. Daniels’ chemistry with the receiving corps and his decision-making will continue to evolve, giving LSU a quarterback with both the physical tools and mental toughness to compete in the SEC.

Beyond Daniels, LSU also has depth at the quarterback position, which provides insurance in case of injury or performance inconsistency. Walker Howard, a young and highly touted quarterback who transferred to LSU in 2023, could provide strong backup options or be a future starter for the Tigers, making LSU one of the deeper teams at the most important position on the field.

2. Offensive Line: Power and Experience

The offensive line is often an overlooked but critical part of any successful football program, and LSU’s front five is shaping up to be one of the most formidable units in the SEC. The Tigers have invested in developing their offensive line, with an emphasis on size, strength, and cohesion. In 2024, the offensive line was one of the strengths of the team, protecting Daniels and opening up lanes for the running backs.

LSU returns a solid core of experienced offensive linemen who can handle the physicality of the SEC. Senior tackles and guards are expected to provide leadership, while younger players who have been developing in the program will have the chance to step up. The depth on the offensive line allows LSU to rotate fresh players in, which is crucial during the grind of the SEC season.

The offensive line’s consistency will be crucial for LSU to not only protect Daniels but also establish a balanced offensive attack, with a strong running game complementing the passing game. If LSU can dominate the line of scrimmage, it will put even more pressure on opposing defenses.

3. The Defense: Talent and Aggression

The LSU defense has traditionally been one of the conference’s best, and the 2025 squad is no exception. Under defensive coordinator Matt House, LSU’s defense has evolved into an aggressive and opportunistic unit that has the ability to disrupt opponents’ game plans. The defense is filled with NFL-caliber talent at virtually every level, including the defensive line, linebacking corps, and secondary.

The defensive line is a key strength for LSU, with elite players such as Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo anchoring the front. The defensive front is not only capable of stopping the run but also generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which is vital in the SEC. This unit’s ability to get to the quarterback will make it difficult for opposing offenses to sustain drives.

LSU’s linebacker corps is also a strength, with young players continuing to develop, providing a mix of speed, agility, and power in the middle of the field. The secondary, which has seen substantial improvement under House, continues to develop into one of the conference’s most dangerous groups. With players like Greg Brooks Jr. and Major Burns patrolling the backfield, LSU can effectively cover both short and deep routes, preventing big plays while also capitalizing on turnovers.

LSU’s defense has the potential to be one of the top units in the SEC, and if it continues to play with the same level of intensity and talent, it will be a formidable challenge for any offense in the conference.

4. Special Teams and Depth

Special teams are often the forgotten aspect of a team’s success, but LSU’s ability to control field position through its punting game, kicking game, and return units could prove crucial in close SEC matchups. LSU has a strong kicker in Damian Ramos, whose leg strength and accuracy are vital for converting long field goals and helping to control the game’s tempo.

In addition, LSU boasts strong returners who can flip the field with explosive plays. Special teams have often been a source of inconsistency for many teams in the SEC, but LSU has the personnel to make sure that its special teams unit is among the best in the conference.

Depth is another significant factor for LSU. Under Brian Kelly’s system, LSU has built considerable depth at almost every position, which allows the Tigers to sustain performance even when injuries or attrition occur. This depth is crucial in a conference like the SEC, where physicality is key, and players can wear down throughout the course of a long season.

LSU’s Challenges: Competition in the SEC

Despite its strengths, LSU faces several challenges in 2025, particularly in the competitive environment of the SEC. The Tigers will have to contend with perennial powerhouses such as Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, all of which boast high-caliber rosters. Alabama, under head coach Nick Saban, remains a dominant force, while Georgia has established itself as the team to beat in college football with back-to-back national championships.

Additionally, Arkansas and Ole Miss, among others, are making strides in the SEC, ensuring that the Tigers will face stiff competition throughout the season. In the SEC West, where LSU resides, the competition is fierce, with Texas A&M and Ole Miss also looking to make a run at the top.

While LSU has the talent to compete at the highest level, the team’s performance in head-to-head matchups against these elite programs will ultimately determine whether it can claim a spot in the College Football Playoff and continue to rise in the SEC power rankings.

Where LSU Sits in USA Today’s Pre-Spring SEC Power Rankings

USA Today’s pre-spring SEC power rankings place LSU in a strong position, likely within the top four or five teams in the conference. Given the Tigers’ strong recruiting classes, their talent across the board, and the stability that Brian Kelly has brought to the program, LSU has emerged as a legitimate contender in the SEC. However, the team will need to prove itself against the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and others before it can claim to be the top dog in the conference.

LSU’s ranking in these early spring rankings reflects the program’s upward trajectory, but it also acknowledges the tough road ahead in the SEC. With talent at virtually every position and a solid coaching staff, LSU is in a prime position to compete for an SEC Championship, but it will need to consistently perform at a high level throughout the regular season.

As spring practices unfold and the Tigers continue to develop under Brian Kelly, expectations for LSU will only continue to rise. The road to the top of the SEC is never easy, but with the right blend of talent, coaching, and determination, LSU football is poised for another exciting season in 2025.