BREAKING: LSU lands No. 1 RB in America in Harlem Berry

On “Decision Day” for the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana, Harlem Berry announced his commitment to LSU, revealing the choice at the Under Armour All-America Game.

Berry is the first underclassmen to ever announce his decision at the game, putting the nation’s No. 1 running back prospect front-and-center as one of the headliners of the 2025 cycle.

Berry is the No. 1 running back, the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana and the No. 11 overall prospect on the On3 Industry Rankings. The On3 Rankings peg Berry as the No. 1 running back, the No. 1 prospect in Louisiana and the No. 7 overall prospect in the cycle.

What led to LSU winning out?

One big reason is LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson, who has been the primary recruiter on Berry. 10 years ago, Wilson reeled in five-star Leonard Fournette. A decade later, the outlook is very similar given Berry announced at the same All-Star game, is a New Orleans area native and is already tabbed as the nation’s No. 1 running back.

When Wilson was brought back to LSU two year ago, he quickly circled Berry as a major priority. Their relationship has continued to grow across that stretch, which set the Tigers up for his pledge.

Wilson took just one running back prospect in the 2024 cycle when he went into Texas and landed four-star Caden Durham, which followed up a 2023 class that saw LSU land a pair of in-state targets in Kaleb Jackson and Trey Holly.

Now, Berry is on board for 2025.

Berry made plenty of visits to other college campuses, but no team was able to match the splash made by the Tigers. Berry was originally planning to announce his decision in December, but chose to push the date back to announce on national television during Wednesday’s Under Armour All-America Game on ESPN.

Berry’s commitments moves LSU up from the No. 4 class up to the No. 2 class in the country, trailing only Georgia.

With five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood set to announce on Jan. 6, the Tigers have a shot at landing two 2025 five-stars this week – and three total with five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore already on board. Commitments from both Berry and Underwood would also give LSU the No. 1 quarterback, No. 1 wide receiver and No. 1 running back for the 2025 cycle.

If Underwood and Berry both commit to the Tigers, LSU would jump Georgia and take over the No. 1 spot on the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings for the 2025 class.

Stay tuned, Tigers fans. The wheels are in motion for LSU to have a program-changing type of week.

The On3 Prospect Breakdown

In May, On3 named Berry the No. 1 running back in the 2025 class, and he stayed put in the same spot when the rankings were updated in late-November.

“We knew the type of athlete he was, but seeing the feel for running was very impressive,” On3 National Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power said when naming Berry No. 1. “He hits some marks from a production standpoint. Doesn’t play the strongest competition, but dominates at a level that you would hope for from a prospect of his caliber. The player, there’s a ton to like with him.”

Here’s a deeper look into the prospect breakdown from the On3 rankings team:

“The most electric running back in the 2025 cycle. Possesses elite burst and effortless movement skills. Registers as a high end athlete with elite speed on the track and in the combine setting. Won state titles in the 100 and 200 meters as a sophomore with times of 10.57 seconds and 21.43 seconds, respectively. Most importantly, transfers his outstanding top end speed onto the field in a functional way. A threat to take it to the house on any touch. A light, springy mover who shifts gears and changes directions at full speed. Displays outstanding vision. Reads blocks and bursts through the line to the second level.”

“The game moves slow for him at the prep level. Runs through contact and shows balance that belies his size. Does not have an overly large frame and will need to continue adding good mass in order to carry a substantial load at the next level. Has a later birthday for the cycle, turning 17 years old in late May of his junior year.”