[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], [autotag]DJ Chester[/autotag] and Aeron Burrell earned spots on the conference All-Freshman team.
Chester, a center, took over after veteran [autotag]Charles Turner[/autotag] moved on to the NFL. There were some growing pains, but Chester put a strong performance together in LSU’s final two games.
He helped block for Durham, who led the team in rushing yards. Burrell handled kickoff duties for the Tigers.
Durham led the Tigers’ ground attack and turned in two 100+ rushing yard performances. The freshman totaled 693 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry in his inaugural season.
Durham was also involved in the passing game, hauling in 27 catches for 257 yards and two scores.
Expect head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to continue using the Oklahoma City, OK native as a versatile piece in the offense with Nussmeier and 2025 five-star back [autotag]Harlem Berry[/autotag].
Burrel remains a stalwart on the kickoff team. The three-star placekicker is a native of Bossier City, LA, and ranked second at his position in the 2024 class. He chose his home state school over Grambling and Houston.
Burrel will have a chance to win place-kicking duties next year.
Here’s a complete look at the SEC’s All-Freshman team on offense and defense.
Here are five big portal names LSU fans should know
After the transfer portal opened on Monday, names continued to flood the market. LSU football is already active, setting up visits with several top prospects.
LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] signaled an aggressive approach from the Tigers, and while dominoes are yet to fall, LSU is setting up for a massive portal haul.
Things are moving fast, and more names are entering than the average fan has time to keep up with. We’ll take some time to update you on recent entries that make sense for LSU.
These are prospects at positions of need for LSU, whether the Tigers are looking to add a star or just build depth.
LSU’s roster has quite a few holes, especially with most of the 2023 signing class not working out. Ideally, those prospects would be entering their junior years ready for central roles at LSU, but only a handful of 2023 signees remain with the Tigers. LSU needs to add proven veterans to make up for that.
Here are some transfer portal names to know as of Thursday.
He only played four games with the Bobcats in 2024 in hopes of getting another year to transfer up. But in those four games, Bell posted 23 pressures and four sacks. Last year, Bell had 53 pressures.
It’s rare to see a player on the transfer market with 123 pressures and 20 sacks in his career, but Bell is a proven producer.
Xavier Chaplin, Tackle — Virginia Tech
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
LSU is losing at least three offensive linemen to the NFL this year. If [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] declares, that total grows to four.
LSU needs portal addition across the board on the offensive line. The Tigers need guys that can start and depth pieces. Chaplin is the former. According to On3, he’s the No. 6 ranked transfer.
He’s 6’7′ with two years of starting experience at left tackle. He’s a good run blocker, and that’s something LSU needs after struggling to get a push on the ground in 2024.
Tacario Davis, Cornerback — Arizona
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Davis is one of the top names in the transfer portal. According to the On3 Industry Rankings, he’s the No. 7 overall available prospect.
LSU is losing [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] to the NFL. Davis would make a fine replacement.
Alexander had the size to cover SEC wide receivers man-to-man. Davis has the same ability at 6’3′. LSU needs corners it can trust on an island in Blake Baker’s defense — Tacario Davis is just that.
Josh Moten, Cornerback — Marshall
The Columbus Dispatch
He played in the Sun Belt, but Moten was one of the top cornerbacks in the country in 2024. Per PFF, the only CB with a better coverage grade than Moten was Heisman trophy favorite Travis Hunter.
LSU’s secondary is still young. It’s talented but young. LSU needs to go out and land a veteran like Moten to pair with corners like [autotag]Ashton Stamps[/autotag] and [autotag]DJ Pickett.[/autotag]
Brice Pollock, Cornerback — Mississippi State
Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Cornerback isn’t the highest priority for LSU, but if LSU can land a proven SEC starter, they’ll take it.
Mississippi State’s defense struggled in 2024, but Pollock wasn’t to blame. According to PFF, he posted a 75.8 defensive grade while playing 720 snaps for the Bulldogs. He recorded five pass breakups and posted an 81.2 passer rating when targeted.
LSU football will get its QB1 for another year. [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] announced his return on Wednesday.
The LSU QB took to social media to release a video detailing his decision. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] hinted at Nussmeier’s return for weeks, but now it’s official.
After serving as Jayden Daniels’ backup in 2022 and 2023, Nussmeier took over the starting role in 2024 Results were mixed, but Nussmeier led LSU to wins over Ole Miss and South Carolina — two teams top-15 ranked teams.
In a day and age where so many talented QBs transfer, Nussmeier opted to stick it out and wait his turn at LSU.
When Nussmeier was on, he was as good as anyone in the country. Some of the throws he made were NFL-caliber. That arm talent led to speculation that Nussmeier would turn pro, but the NFL will have to wait a year.
No QB in the SEC was asked to throw as much as Nussmeier. His 491 attempts led the conference as LSU struggled to develop a run game.
He threw for 3,739 yards and 26 touchdowns, completing 63.7% of his passes.
Nussmeier struggled during LSU’s three-game losing streak but finished the year with strong performances against Vanderbilt and Oklahoma.
LSU’s had good luck with quarterbacks returning for a fifth year in the past. Daniels and Joe Burrow both won the Heisman after coming back for year five.
As usual, LSU’s staff was one of the top-paid groups in the country. It’s one of the many things that makes it an attractive spot for head coaches — the ability to go out and land top assistant coaches.
The Tigers have several coaches ranking among the highest-paid in the sport at their position, including defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who is the highest-paid assistant coach in the country.
LSU’s staff went through an overhaul in the offseason, including a completely new lineup on the defensive side of the ball. LSU saw a coordinator change on offense, too, thanks to 2023 play-caller Mike Denbrock taking the same job at Notre Dame.
[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] didn’t look far for Denbrock’s replacement, opting to promote QBs coach Joe Sloan to offensive coordinator.
Here’s what every LSU staffer made in 2024.
Blake Baker, Defensive coordinator — $2.5 million
Baker’s salary was the top assistant payout in 2024. He was tabbed to rebuild the LSU defense after Matt House was let go.
In 2023, Baker coordinated one of the top defenses in the country at Missouri. His ties in Louisiana run deep, and he already had one stint at LSU under Ed Orgeron. All of those factors made him an easy hire for Kelly.
Baker made $1.4 million with Missouri in 2023, making his LSU salary a significant raise.
Bo Davis, Defensive Line — $1.25 million
Bo Davis in his time with the Detroit Lions. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Not many position coaches around the country command over a million dollars, but bringing Davis back to Baton Rouge was on LSU’s bucket list for some time. Kelly and the administration finally made it happen in 2024.
At his current salary, Davis is the highest-paid position coach in LSU history.
Frank Wilson, Running Backs — $1 million
Frank Wilson as the head coach of McNeese State in 2021. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
In what may be a surprise to some, the OC is not the highest-paid offensive assistant on staff. It’s running backs coach Frank Wilson.
Wilson was one of Kelly’s most important hires upon arriving in Baton Rouge. He had a lengthy stint with LSU under Les Miles and has coached some of the best running backs in program history.
Wilson does some of his best work on the recruiting trail, where he’s known as LSU’s ace in New Orleans.
Joe Sloan, Offensive Coordinator — $950K
In 2023, LSU OC Mike Denbrock made $1.4 million. LSU managed to get a discount at the position in 2024 thanks to promoting from within. It didn’t take a bidding war to land Sloan.
For Sloan, the promotion came with a significant raise after making $550K in 2024.
Sloan called the plays, but Hankton earned a promotion to co-OC after Denbrock’s departure, too. Hankton was already making $850K as WRs coach, so his raise wasn’t as big as Sloan’s.
Before arriving at LSU, Hankton was at Georgia, where he helped lead the Dawgs to a national title. He made $550K in his final year with UGA.
Brad Davis, Offensive Line — $900K
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
When Kelly arrived at LSU, Davis was the only assistant retained from the previous staff. He’s proven to be one of the top offensive line recruiters in the country.
Previously to working at LSU, Davis was at Arkansas, where he made $625K in 2020.
Kevin Peoples, Defensive Ends — 700K
Baker wasn’t the only coach from the 2023 Missouri staff to join LSU — he was joined by defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples.
Peoples did good work at LSU in year one as DE Bradyn Swinson was one of the top defenders in the conference.
Peoples made $400K with Missouri last year, making it a $300K raise for him at LSU.
Jake Olsen, Safeties — 350K
Olsen joined Baker and Peoples, hopping from Missouri to LSU. Olsen was an analyst with Missouri, so this is his first year appearing in the salary database.
Like many assistants on this list, Olsen has ties to Louisiana. He was with Baker at LSU in 2021 and also coached at Nicholls State, Northwestern State, and Louisiana-Monroe.
Corey Raymond, Secondary — 200K
Corey Raymond in his first stint with LSU in 2013. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Raymond’s return to LSU was met with a heap of excitement. He recruited and developed some of the best DBs in the country while working at LSU under Les Miles and Ed Orgeron.
Raymond got immediate results from LSU’s secondary as it took a major step forward. According to PFF, LSU CB Zy Alexander was one of the top-graded CBs in the country.
On the recruiting trail, Raymond just signed DJ Pickett, the top-ranked CB in the 2025 recruiting class.
The Tigers’ defensive line coach made $1.25 million in 2024, putting him at No. 41 nationally. He is the second-highest-paid assistant coach on head coach Brian Kelly’s staff and is No. 16 in the SEC among assistants in the conference.
Davis donned the purple and gold in the early 90s as a player, then stayed in Baton Rouge as a graduate assistant. He served as the assistant strength coach under Saban, then followed him to the Dolphins and Alabama. Davis spent the last three years at Texas before taking the job with his alma mater.
LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker ranks No. 1 overall on the list at $2.5 million. Two Big Ten coaches and one apiece from the SEC and Big 12 round out the top five.
Davis was brought in to rebuild a unit decimated by departures related to the NFL Draft and transfers. While the Tigers’ defense finished the regular season in the middle of the conference in passing and rushing defense, the development piece is there.
In its 2025 recruiting class, the Tigers signed four-star edge Damien Shanklin and three-star defensive linemen Brandon Brown, Zion Williams, Dylan Battle, and Walter Mathis. A group that has the potential to make an immediate impact, according to Kelly, the freshmen will give Davis a solid core to rebuild a unit reminiscent of the past.
Fans speculated about Davis’ return every time the position opened and finally got their wish. In turn, the salary investment reflects Kelly’s commitment to developing a solid front seven on defense known as an SEC leader.
Where does Blake Baker rank among the highest paid assistants in college football?
On Wednesday, USA Today published its annual database detailing college football coaching salaries across the sport.
LSU’s staff is usually among the highest paid in college football, but one LSU assistant stood out, topping the list of assistant coaching salaries.
LSU defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] pulled in $2.5 million in 2024. That was $200,000 more than Michigan DC Wink Martindale, who ranked No. 2 on the list.
Baker was a splash hire for LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] in the offseason. LSU needed to overhaul its defense after an abysmal 2023. Baker had just led one of the best units in the country at Missouri, and his Louisiana ties made him the perfect fit for LSU.
LSU saw significant improvement under Baker in year one. After ranking 82nd in scoring defense in 2023, LSU ranked 57th in 2024. LSU’s talent on the defensive side of the ball was questionable, but Baker put together some strong game plans, including one that helped LSU upset a top-10-ranked Ole Miss team.
So far, Baker is worth that check. LSU will hope for similar improvement in 2025.
LSU will see a familiar face when it meets Baylor in the Texas Bowl
LSU football will head to Houston to face Baylor in the Texas Bowl. We’re still a few weeks away from kickoff on New Year’s Eve. But once the transfer portal talk settles down, attention will shift to the game.
LSU will see an old friend on the opposite sideline — former LSU defensive coordinator [autotag]Dave Aranda.[/autotag]
Aranda spent four years at LSU, coordinating some of the best defenses in the country. In 2016, Aranda’s first year with the Tigers, LSU ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense. LSU ranked in the top 15 again in 2017.
In 2019, Aranda led the defense as LSU went on to win a national title. LSU’s defense finished 20th in SP+ while facing one of the toughest schedules in the country.
Aranda parlayed that success into the gig at Baylor.
In 2021, Aranda led Baylor to a Big 12 championship and Sugar Bowl title. That was followed up by back-to-back losing seasons, but Aranda and Baylor found new life in 2024. Baylor enters the Texas Bowl at 8-4, riding a win streak.
Aranda’s name was tossed around when LSU was looking for a new head coach in 2021. Given the previous connection and the success Baylor was having at the time, the match made sense. Aranda opted to sign an extension with Baylor while LSU hired [autotag]Brian Kelly.[/autotag]
Aranda is a head coach now, but he’s still considered one of the top defensive minds in the game.
One of the top available transfers is showing interest in LSU
LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said the Tigers plan to be aggressive in the transfer portal. That wasn’t the case last year, but LSU is off to a good start this cycle, earning a visit from one of the top names in the portal.
Defensive end is a big need for LSU. [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] and [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] are moving on to the NFL, and LSU lost former five-star Dashawn Womack to the transfer portal.
According to On3, Heldt is the No. 22 ranked transfer on the market. As a sophomore, Heldt racked up 26 pressures and six sacks. 2024 was a breakout year, and Heldt has the size to play in the SEC.
Thamel’s report says Heldt is planning to visit Texas A&M, too. Last year, the Aggies made a big portal splash, landing Nic Scourton — another Purdue edge defender.
LSU will look to seal the deal with Heldt and hope his impact is similar to the one Scourton made in College Station.
To stay updated with our full LSU transfer tracker, click here.
LSU football was unranked in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll
The US LBM Coaches Poll dropped on Sunday morning and LSU remained unranked, appearing in the receiving votes section and earning just one point.
It was expected after LSU was unranked last week and was idle on conference championship weekend.
LSU was joined by Tulane and Louisiana in receiving votes. Both the Green Wave and the Ragin’ Cajuns finished ahead of the Tigers with six points.
With South Carolina at No. 14 and Ole Miss at No. 15, LSU has two wins over top 15 squads. But three of the Tigers’ four losses came to unranked teams with Texas A&M, Florida, and USC all unranked.
LSU’s other loss was the 42-13 home drubbing by Alabama. The Crimson Tide come in at No. 11.
[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] had the Tigers in the top 10 at one point, but a three-game losing streak knocked LSU out of the polls and conference title contention.
LSU still has a chance to finish the year ranked with a strong performance in the bowl game.
Here’s a look at the complete US LBM Coaches Poll.
Tigers’ head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] hinted at an aggressive approach with the transfer portal in 2025 and wideouts will be a top priority.
One potential fit is receiver Barion Brown. He announced his intention to enter the portal following a three-year campaign at Kentucky where he totaled 2,407 all-purpose yards.
In Brown’s freshman and sophomore seasons, he totaled 628 and 539 receiving yards, respectively. His production decreased in 2024 as he hauled in 29 catches for 361 yards along with 13 carries for 50 yards. The versatile playmaker is looking to be a high-level contributor at his next school.
In addition to LSU. Ole Miss and Texas A&M are expected to target the Nashville, TN native once he hits the portal. Following Vanderbilt’s breakout season, don’t be surprised if the Commodores show interest.
LSU’s 2025 outlook at receiver is unclear. [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] is expected to return but Chris Hilton’s status remains a mystery. Outside of those two, the Tigers lack experienced options.
With [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] off to the NFL and [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] in the portal, a significant chunk of production is being lost.
Given Kelly’s comments regarding the transfer portal approach combined with LSU’s own losses, Brown makes perfect sense as an early target for the Tigers.
