LSU Tigers’ Spring Game Struggles: Offense and Defense Under Brian Kelly

The LSU Tigers’ spring game, a crucial event in the offseason for any college football program, often highlights areas of both progress and concern. Under head coach Brian Kelly, who took over the reins in 2022, the Tigers have seen a significant amount of growth and promise. However, spring practices and games can reveal weaknesses that need urgent attention before the start of the regular season. The Tigers’ spring game in 2025 was no exception, as it highlighted several serious issues across both sides of the ball—offense and defense—that may potentially hinder their chances of success in the upcoming season.

In this breakdown, we will explore the offensive and defensive struggles that LSU faced during the spring game, the key players involved, and the implications of these issues for the team’s performance in the fall. From inefficiencies in the passing game to lapses in defensive fundamentals, LSU’s spring game exposed numerous flaws that Brian Kelly and his coaching staff must address in order to contend for SEC and national championships.

Offensive Struggles: Disjointed Attack and Lack of Rhythm

The most glaring issue in LSU’s spring game was an offense that struggled to find its rhythm. Under Brian Kelly, LSU’s offense had seen flashes of brilliance, especially with the emergence of quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2022. Daniels provided the Tigers with the dual-threat ability that was often crucial in key moments of the season. However, the spring game revealed several concerns that could haunt LSU’s offensive game plan in the fall.

Quarterback Play: A Lack of Consistency

While Jayden Daniels has been the face of LSU’s offense for the past two seasons, his play in the spring game raised questions about his consistency and ability to perform at an elite level. Though Daniels is undoubtedly a talented quarterback, his performance during the spring game lacked the precision and sharpness expected of an experienced signal-caller.

A few key moments stood out. Daniels struggled with his deep ball accuracy, missing several open receivers down the field. In addition, his decision-making was questionable at times, with multiple passes thrown into double coverage or thrown late. These mistakes, while common in a spring setting when the offense is still trying to develop chemistry, could become a serious concern if not addressed.

While Daniels is expected to be the starting quarterback, he will need to prove that he can consistently make the right reads and execute under pressure. It’s clear that the Tigers will rely heavily on him as both a passer and a rusher, but his growth in the passing game will be pivotal for LSU’s success.

Offensive Line Issues: Protection and Run Blocking Woes

Another major issue for LSU in the spring game was the play of the offensive line. While the offensive line has been a strong unit in recent years, the spring game revealed some significant weaknesses. Protecting the quarterback was a clear issue, as Daniels was under pressure far too often. The line struggled to maintain its blocking assignments, leading to multiple sacks and pressures that disrupted LSU’s offensive flow.

The lack of cohesion among the offensive line members was apparent, with missed assignments and breakdowns in communication creating havoc in the backfield. Though spring games often feature rotating offensive lines, the inconsistency up front is concerning, especially given the need for continuity and protection when facing SEC defenses.

Additionally, the run-blocking was far from ideal. LSU’s running backs, despite being talented, were often met with little to no room to operate due to poor blocking upfront. The inability to establish the run early in the game forced LSU into predictable passing situations, which limited their offensive options and allowed the defense to gain an upper hand.

Wide Receiver Inconsistencies: Missed Opportunities

On the outside, LSU’s wide receivers showed flashes of potential but were largely inconsistent in the spring game. Kayshon Boutte, one of the top playmakers for LSU in recent seasons, had some solid moments, but his performance was marred by several drops and miscommunications with Daniels. While Boutte is expected to be a key contributor, his inability to hold onto passes in key situations was troubling.

In addition to Boutte, LSU’s receiving corps struggled with overall depth. The Tigers have several talented players on the roster, but many of them failed to separate themselves during the spring game. Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. both had their moments, but overall, the wide receivers failed to consistently create separation or make plays in crucial moments. If LSU cannot establish reliable pass-catchers outside of Boutte, it will be difficult to sustain offensive success, especially when facing tough SEC defenses.

Defensive Struggles: Lack of Discipline and Fundamentals

While LSU’s offense certainly had its issues in the spring game, the defense also struggled to find consistency. Despite returning several key players from last season’s defense, LSU’s defense showed alarming signs of vulnerability that could become problematic in the fall.

Defensive Line: Inconsistent Pressure and Run Stopping

The Tigers’ defensive line, which was expected to be one of the team’s strengths in 2025, struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback. Despite having some highly rated recruits and experienced players such as Maason Smith, who is recovering from injury, the defensive line was unable to disrupt the LSU offense enough to create turnovers or force bad decisions from the quarterback.

Although the defensive line was able to make a few plays, particularly in passing situations, their overall impact was minimal. The spring game demonstrated that LSU’s front four may have a hard time getting to opposing quarterbacks on a regular basis, which could leave the defense exposed to teams with strong passing games. With the SEC featuring several top-tier quarterbacks, LSU’s defensive line must step up to provide pressure and allow their secondary to cover without as much time on the clock.

Additionally, LSU struggled in stopping the run during the spring game. The defensive line often failed to maintain gap integrity, allowing LSU’s running backs to find creases in the defensive front. This was especially problematic against a run-heavy offensive scheme, where LSU’s defense could not control the line of scrimmage or fill the necessary gaps.

Linebackers: Missed Tackles and Poor Coverage

Linebacker play was another area of concern for LSU during the spring game. While the Tigers have some talented linebackers, they struggled with missed tackles and poor coverage in space. Linebackers were often late to read plays or were out of position on key run plays, which allowed LSU’s offense to move the ball more effectively.

In pass coverage, LSU’s linebackers were also exposed. They struggled to cover the middle of the field, particularly against tight ends and running backs coming out of the backfield. In a high-powered SEC offense, LSU’s linebackers must be able to make plays in coverage while also being sure tacklers on the ground. The inability to control the intermediate passing game was a significant issue during the spring game and could lead to trouble against high-caliber teams in the regular season.

Secondary: Big Plays and Lack of Communication

Perhaps the most concerning area for LSU’s defense in the spring game was the secondary. While the Tigers’ defensive backs have solid individual talent, there were repeated communication breakdowns in the secondary that led to big plays. LSU’s defensive backs seemed to have difficulty maintaining coverage on deep routes, and there were several occasions where receivers were wide open, leading to easy touchdowns.

Additionally, LSU’s safeties were frequently out of position, especially on deep throws. With a lack of consistent pass rush, the secondary was often left on an island, and LSU’s cornerbacks could not handle the speed and precision of the LSU receivers. The failure to properly communicate and pass off assignments in coverage made it difficult for the defense to stop big plays and maintain drives.

A Long Road Ahead for LSU Under Brian Kelly

The LSU Tigers’ spring game in 2025 served as a reminder that while the team has talent, there are significant areas that need improvement before the regular season begins. The offensive struggles, particularly in the passing game, and the defensive inconsistencies, especially in pass coverage and run defense, will be major concerns for head coach Brian Kelly.

However, spring games are not always a full reflection of a team’s potential, and LSU will undoubtedly make adjustments as the offseason progresses. With further development and refinement, Brian Kelly can still lead the Tigers to success in the fall. The key will be improving offensive consistency, particularly with quarterback play and offensive line cohesion, while also fixing defensive breakdowns and communication issues in the secondary.

In the cutthroat SEC, LSU cannot afford to rest on its laurels. With teams like Alabama, Georgia, and others looming as formidable opponents, LSU will need to shore up these weaknesses quickly if they are to contend for an SEC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. The road ahead for the Tigers is a difficult one, but with Brian Kelly at the helm, LSU remains a team to watch closely as they aim to overcome these spring game struggles and put together a championship-caliber season.