LSU Tigers could see some surprise freshmen breakout despite win-now roster ready to make College Football Playoff push
The LSU Tigers went all in this offseason to try and build around quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as Brian Kelly and company push to make the College Football Playoff in 2025. They brought in the number one overall Transfer Portal class, which should prove important in getting the Tigers back to the playoff. However, there may […]
The LSU Tigers went all in this offseason to try and build around quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as Brian Kelly and company push to make the College Football Playoff in 2025. They brought in the number one overall Transfer Portal class, which should prove important in getting the Tigers back to the playoff.
However, there may also be some surprising breakout freshmen who play a huge role in the team's success this fall too. Who are those potential breakout stars? Let's dive in.
DJ Pickett, Five Star CB
DJ Pickett is a 6'4"–yes, six feet, four inches tall–five star cornerback who has already looked ridiculously dominant for the LSU Tigers this spring.
The Tigers defense should still lean on Ashton Stamps again on the outside. They brought in a few solid transfers in Mansoor Delane, Tamarcus Cooley, and Ja'Keem Jackson at cornerback too. Pickett might immediately be better than at least two of those three from day one though.
His speed, physicality, ability to recover, and unreal instincts make him one of the best cornerback prospects in recent program history. LSU fans should expect great things, and soon, from DJ Pickett.
Carius Curne, Four Star OT
The LSU offensive line lost four of their offensive line starters to the 2025 NFL Draft this spring as Will Campbell, Emery Jones Jr., Miles Frazier, and Garrett Dellinger headed to the pros. The only spot where LSU has much proven experience in purple and gold is center with DJ Chester. They have solid high pedigree depth, but don't be surprised if Carius Curne, a four star true freshman, steps into one of the tackle spots at some point this year.
Curne is already 6'5", 330+ pounds and allegedly runs a 4.9-second forty yard dash. His size, length, and unfathomably impressive size-adjusted athleticism could prove too much to keep him off the field in 2025.
Damien Shanklin, Four Star EDGE
The LSU Tigers lost the vast majority of their pass rush from a year ago, so the edge rushers will be almost entirely brand new. Gabriel Reliford seems to be the best returning talent and could break out. Transfers Patrick Payton, Jack Pybrun, and Jimari Butler should earn first early season looks too. The depth isn't in a terrible place, really, despite the losses this offseason.
However, Damien Shanklin is the real deal at edge rusher as a true freshman. He was already looking quite powerful and agile this spring as an early enrollee. If he continues bulking up a bit into the season this 6'4", 230+ pound true freshman with burst could prove to be a top three pass rusher for the team by October.
Harlem Berry, Five Star RB
Harlem Berry might be a bit small at 5'10", 185 pounds, but he is one of the most explosive true freshman running backs in the country. The LSU Tigers already have a proven speedster in Caden Durham who put up over 1000 yards from scrimmage last season, so Berry's role won't be "RB1" in his first year, but the competition for the RB2 spot should be wide open between he and Kaleb Jackson.
Jackson struggled last season in a year where expectations were high, so if Berry can break a few big early season plays he could lock in the direct backup running back role as a true freshman easily given his incredible athleticism.
We'll be back with more LSU Tigers coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
And if you want to see why Harlem Berry earned five star status as an explosive running back all-purpose weapon just check out some of his highlights in the video below.