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LSU tops ESPN’s offseason rankings: Tigers No. 1 after portal moves

Untitled design (1)by: Julie Boudwin05/14/25
LSU Brian Kelly
LSU and Brian Kelly have one of the top classes in 2026.

The college football offseason used to be a time of slower movement—some recruiting wins, the occasional staff change, and maybe a transfer or two. Not these days.

Now, the offseason comes in different portal waves. Rosters and coaching staffs can be flipped multiple times between December and May. The schools that manage the chaos best often emerge as playoff contenders. LSU has proven it’s ready to ride the waves—and control them.

ESPN’s team of college football reporters—Adam Rittenberg, Max Olson, Eli Lederman and Bill Connelly—set out to rank every Power 4 program based on how well they navigated the spring offseason and transfer portal cycle. At No. 1: LSU.

“The Tigers enjoyed the best offseason this side of Norman,” wrote Connelly. “Kelly retained one of the most proven quarterbacks in the SEC and brought in the most celebrated transfer class in the league as well.”

That proven quarterback? Garrett Nussmeier, who returns after flashing star potential last season, and has a whole host of offensive weapons at his disposable. In 13 starts, he passed for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Nussmeier also recorded three rushing TDs.

But it wasn’t just about keeping talent. LSU upgraded it. Brian Kelly and Austin Thomas, the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Football Administration, hit the portal hard, landing impact players at critical positions—wide receiver, safety, defensive line and offensive line. That includes some highly sought-after transfers who should compete for starting roles immediately.

Key additions include: WR Nic Anderson, WR Barion Brown and DB Mansoor Delane along with highly-ranked high school recruits like CB D.J. Pickett and RB Harlem Berry.

Kelly also made sure to keep most coaches in place. The only notable changes on the coaching staff has been Kyle Williams taking over for Bo Davis, and former Florida State OC Alex Atkins coming in as tight ends coach and run game coordinator. It’s clear LSU isn’t content with a 9-4 season and a Texas Bowl win. The Tigers closed 2024 with a three-game winning streak, and expectations are even higher entering Year 4 of the Kelly era.

“The College Football Playoff is the goal in 2025,” the ESPN crew noted.

A mix of player retention, coaching continuity and additions have pushed LSU to the top of the SEC—and the national conversation. Now, it’s about taking that offseason momentum into the fall, and proving it. The Tigers open the season on the road on Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. on ABC against Clemson, another team with high expectations for 2025.

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