LSU Tigers thrashed the Baylor Bears, revealing exactly how they can make the 2025 College Football Playoff
The LSU Tigers finished the 2024 college football season strong on New Years Eve as they completely thrashed the Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl 44-31. The score doesn't do the blowout win justice either, as they were winning by 20 with just 6 minutes remaining.And while it's good to go out with a win, […]
The LSU Tigers finished the 2024 college football season strong on New Years Eve as they completely thrashed the Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl 44-31. The score doesn't do the blowout win justice either, as they were winning by 20 with just 6 minutes remaining.
And while it's good to go out with a win, what that win revealed for the LSU Tigers' potential 2025 College Football Playoff chances was even better. Brian Kelly and his Tigers are losing quite a few players to the NFL Draft and the Transfer Portal this off-season, but the young core of key playmakers returning to LSU who showed out in the Texas Bowl were extremely promising.
Trey'Dez Green, Tight End
Several key impact playmakers in the game were true freshman, second year players, or returning stars-in-the-making who posted breakout performances.
None of them were more impressive and impactful in critical moments than Trey'Dez Green. The 6'7", 245-pound true freshman tight end (and LSU basketball player) had shown flashes throughout this season, but stepped fully into the Mason Taylor every-down tight end role and flourished in the win over Baylor.
Coach Brian Kelly couldn't stop talking about him in his post-game press conference as he was clearly more impressed by Green than anyone else on Tuesday:
"You saw a true freshman in Trey'Dez Green who in many ways made you forget about Mason Taylor (who opted out of the bowl game), who is an incredible player, because of the plays he made on 3rd and 4th down…I think the presence of Trey'Dez Green at the tight end position gave Garrett Nussmeier the opportunity to convert some key 3rd and 4th down situations which he's had all year with Mason Taylor. That was really the biggest thing for us. Would he have that guy? And we saw that he did [in Trey'Dez Green]."
Trey'Dez Green was just an absolute nightmare for Baylor all game long and certainly looks like he is going to a problem for any and every opponent LSU faces in 2025 and beyond. Green scored the first touchdown of the game with ease and he only got better from there.
Green finished his breakout game against Baylor with 6 receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns looking like the most dominant offensive playmaker in the game, but also showing success in a variety of roles, not just receiving.
Kelly took a brief break from singing Green's praises, but had to go back to him just one question later in LSU's post-game presser:
"Trey'Dez [Green] is an incredible competitor. The work he put into bowl prep was second to none. His mind set, his want-to, to go in there and mix it up and run block. We didn't treat him like a wide receiver. We treated him like an attached tight end. He lined up [at outside receiver]. He lined up in the slot. We weren't going to treat him differently. We were going to treat him like he was Mason [Taylor] running that position. He had to get sandpapered a little bit in practice. He went home a couple times, and I'm not sure he made it past 6:30 or 7 at night. He was sore. But that was just his commitment. And I'm pretty proud of him."
Green had primarily operated as a "big slot" receiver much more often than an in-line tight end for most of the year, but he was thrust into an every-down role as the do-it-all tight end weapon LSU needed him to be, and he succeeded in every facet of play. But Green wasn't the only promising returning piece who shined, giving LSU fans hope for a potential 2025 College Football Playoff run.
Chris Hilton Jr., Wide Receiver
Chris Hilton Jr. has become somewhat of a fan favorite in the last two years as he has stuck it out with LSU for four years in an era where he could have just hopped into the Transfer Portal. And while head coach Brian Kelly has certainly had his moments of frustration with Hilton, he was clearly excited to see his explosion of production:
"Chris [Hilton Jr.] has been waiting for these opportunities. He got his chance and was able to do the things he's capable of doing. I think the other thing was the run after the catch. When he ran the inside stop route and we saw a burst from him that was electric. Big things for him to come."
Hilton had the game of his life, grabbing four receptions for 113 receiving yards and a touchdown. He made two incredible snags of more than 40 yards, including this beautiful adjustment to the ball that was initially ruled a touchdown but inevitably overturned as Hilton was just short of the goal line inside the one when he was touched down.
It's great to see Hilton finally post a breakout game in his fourth year with LSU. And as things currently stand he may be in line for an expanded role if he returns in 2025 (thanks to his early career redshirt season). However, there are so many other phenomenal returning playmakers and incoming transfers that Hilton still might not start next season.
Returning Talent & Incoming Transfers
True freshman running back Cade Durham reminded us all why he's the feature back of the future as he posted an easy 63 yards from scrimmage against Baylor. Wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who had 91 receiving yards himself on Tuesday, is set to return once again. And not only that, incoming transfers like wide receiver Barion Brown (Kentucky) and Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) could both work their way into the starting rotation.
When you combine all of those incredible playmakers with a completely rebuilt offensive line with solid depth that didn't give up a single sack against Baylor it's clear that quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has the weapons to potentially lead LSU to the 2025 College Football Playoff. Let's just hope they all stay healthy and Brian Kelly puts together the right plan to make it happen.
We'll be back with more LSU Tigers coverage here at A to Z Sports here soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
