LSU lands several players on Mel Kiper's initial NFL Draft rankings

On Tuesday, ESPN released Mel Kiper’s first rankings of the season, as NFL Draft prep is already underway. LSU did not have a player featured in Kiper’s top 2025, but several Tigers were mentioned when it came to the top ten lists at several positions. So who made the cut?

Garrett Nussmeier was ranked as the seventh overall quarterback, a fall from where many draft experts had him in the preseason. Nussmeier’s most recent performance inspired many from a physical standpoint, as the LSU signal-caller looked healthy. If the decision-making improves, Nussmeier should be able to recoup some of his preseason value.

1. Dante Moore, Oregon 

2. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana 

3. Ty Simpson, Alabama 

4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina 

5. John Mateer, Oklahoma 

6. Carson Beck, Miami (Fla.) 

7. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU 

8. Sam Leavitt, Arizona State 

9. Jayden Maiava, USC 

10. Drew Allar, Penn State 

Harold Perkins was tabbed as the tenth-best outside linebacker, just making the rankings ahead of Derrick Moore (Oregon) and R Mason Thomas (Oklahoma). Perkins’ position will be interesting to watch over the next few months. Slated in the “star” role for LSU, his future in the NFL will be a question mark next spring.  

1. T.J. Parker, Clemson 

2. David Bailey, Texas Tech 

3. Joshua Josephs, Tennessee

4. Damon Wilson II, Missouri

5. Cashius Howell, Texas A&M 

6. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan

7. Romello Height, Texas Tech 

8. Boubacar Traore, Notre Dame 

9. Keyron Crawford, Auburn 

10. Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane has been one of the most impressive players overall in 2025, ranking among the best corners in college football by many. Kiper’s rankings placed him third overall. Delane has completely shut down his side of the field and arguably been one of the best transfer additions by anyone in college football.

1. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee 

2. Avieon Terrell, Clemson 

3. Mansoor Delane, LSU

 4. Brandon Cisse, South Carolina 

5. Colton Hood, Tennessee 

6. D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana 

7. Malik Muhammad, Texas 

8. Chandler Rivers, Duke 

9. A.J. Harris, Penn State 

10. Chris Johnson, San Diego State

A.J. Haulcy continues to be a good story for the LSU defense and for those in favor of the transfer portal. The former Houston Cougar has boosted his stock in Baton Rouge, landing as the tenth-best safety per Kiper’s rankings. His willingness to hit should land him on an NFL roster as a hard-nosed defender against the run. 

1. Caleb Downs, Ohio State 

2. Bray Hubbard, Alabama 

3. Dillon Thieneman, Oregon 

4. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo 

5. Kamari Ramsey, USC 

6. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State 

7. Jalen Huskey, Maryland 

8. Genesis Smith, Arizona 

9. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina 

10. A.J. Haulcy, LSU