Brian Kelly identifies biggest surprise of LSU spring practice

LSU‘s spring practice slate is behind them, and the early roster that head coach Brian Kelly has pieced together is one that has produced a few surprises so far. This includes some of the younger talent in his program, who may have caught on faster than anticipated during the early offseason.

“I just think overall, the understanding of how to go out and compete in practice has been really, for me, outstanding for the young guys to pick it up, like the Solomon Thomas‘ and Carius Curne‘s,” Kelly said last month after spring practices concluded. “They’ve done an incredible job as young players coming in and understanding how to compete. The DJ Pickett‘s, all of our mid-year freshmen, have come in and really have adapted so quickly. And I guess that’s why they’re mid-years, right?”

Both Curne and Thomas are offensive lineman, are are the No. 2 and 3 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting class. Both early enrollee’s, it’s clear that they’ve impressed the Tigers head coach early on.

DJ Pickett is the crown jewel of Brian Kelly’s 2025 recruit class, coming in as the No. 11 overall recruit in the 2025 On3 Indurstry Rankings. A defensive back, Pickett arrived on campus early after committing to the program last summer. Kelly commended his early enrollee’s for the progress they’ve made in the short time they’ve been on campus.

“They’re so far ahead of their freshman counterparts that it really does show why they were able to graduate early from high school, because they were much more mature,” Kelly continued. “Those kids have done an incredible job of really blending in and showing that they belong right away. They’re going to be so far ahead coming into camp relative to being able to compete. That’s been kind of a surprise to me.

“This is the first class that I’ve had at mid-semester where it’s not like, ‘that guy is so far away.’ It just feels like they’ve been here, and that’s been a bit of a surprise.”

In Kelly’s glowing review of his incoming recruiting class is any indication, it wouldn’t be surprising to see one or a few of the true freshman on LSU’s roster this fall taking the field for their Week 1 matchup. Only time will tell. What is for sure, however, is that their college careers will begin against Clemson on Aug. 30 in a tough, true road environment.