Brian Kelly evaluates where LSU run game stands entering season

LSU had the SEC’s worst run game last season and it was never really close, ranking dead-last among the league’s 16 teams after averaging just 116.4 rushing yards and a league-low 28.7 rush attempts per game in 2024. In fact, the Tigers’ 1,513 rushing yards last season was more than 200 behind the SEC’s second-worst ground game out of Georgia, which averaged 124.4 rushing yards per game and 24 total touchdowns a year ago.

Suffice it to say, that sort of run production simply isn’t going to cut it in Baton Rouge. LSU’s precipitous drop in rushing production is made even more head-scratching after the Tigers ranked second in the SEC averaging 204.5 rushing yards per game in 2023, less than half a yard behind league-leading Tennessee (204.85 ypg).

But as LSU enters a pivotal season in Year 4 under his leadership, head coach Brian Kelly knows the importance of a strong run game, especially with 2025 Heisman Trophy-contending QB Garrett Nussmeier back to lead a remodeled Tigers offense.

LSU does return talented sophomore RB Caden Durham, who led the team with 753 rushing yards (averaging nearly 5.4 ypc) and six touchdowns as a true freshman in 2024, but is looking to establish more depth at the position this preseason after sixth-year veteran Josh Williams (482 rushing yards, six touchdowns in 2024) graduated this offseason. The Tigers added five-star running back Harlem Berry, the No. 1-rated running back and No. 18 overall recruit in the 2025 class, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting media companies.

Of course, that’s easier said than done, especially when the Tigers are struggling to install new movement techniques up front in the second season under offensive coordinator Joe Sloan.

“I think we’ve made some progress. We struggled a little today with movement. As you know, we’re moving a lot up front and this is the week we’re installing some of our movement, so that becomes a little more difficult on our guys up front in handling our movement,” Kelly said Tuesday during a preseason media availability. “(But) the guys up front are pretty good. So I think more than anything else it’s just handling the movement up front. But I’m pleased with the structure of the run game, the way it’s progressing from a direct snap to shotgun – a variety of different looks. And we still have a lot to install at this point.

“So where am I now with it? I feel pretty good, (but) we’ve got to do a better job up front handling the movement.”

LSU is debuting a relatively inexperienced offensive line after losing four of last season’s starting five, with only sophomore center DJ Chester returning. Fellow sophomore Paul Mubenga also slides into a full-time role after starting the final four regular-season games at left guard last season. Gone

But if the Tigers are going to show significant improvement on the ground this upcoming season, LSU’s new offensive line — as well as Berry — will be counted on to grow up fast, much like Durham did as a true freshman last season.