There’s no outrunning the past—especially when there’s a paper trail to prove it. And for Brian Kelly? His journey so far and his accolades have only made LSU’s 2025 outlook even stronger. He’s turning past setbacks into fuel for what could be a serious run. With the Tigers finishing 2024 with a not-so-bad 9-4 record, it looks like Kelly is gearing up for his shot at redemption. Enter Josh Pate, who just broke down LSU’s future trajectory on The Josh Pate CFB Show. And let’s just say—things are shaping up pretty well for Kelly as he puts his faith in the power of ‘that purple and gold brand.’
Now that we are officially debating about which CFB team might actually have an edge in the coming years, Josh Pate also joined the party. He is out there giving his thoughts on why Brian Kelly’s LSU is the next program that can propel to an “elite” level. “I think LSU just easily is my number one choice for someone who’s not there because they’re almost there already. The last few years they’ve won nine games this past year, ten games the year before, and ten games the year before that. They are a very good recruiter, they’re a really good portal team, and they’ve made really good organizational moves. I still believe in Brian Kelly,” Pate said.
LSU is not only racking up wins under Brian Kelly but also assembling top-tier talent. Kelly secured a top-10 recruiting class and claimed the No. 1 spot in the transfer portal. This has led to a roster filled with star players like Garrett Nussmeier, Caden Durham, Whit Weeks, and Harold Perkins. The team is further bolstered by impressive freshmen in various positions who will compete with experienced Power 4 players, creating the sought-after depth that national contenders strive for.
Plus, Brian Kelly also has a very talented roster, but now it’s all about execution. The competition for starting positions will be intense this spring, beginning March 8, with a roster boosted by 16 transfers and 23 freshmen. The Tigers no longer need to worry about a lack of depth; they’re in control. Rather than filling all openings, they can be selective during the spring recruiting period, focusing solely on top-tier candidates.
However, the only concerning thing that might push Brian Kelly towards the edge is their championship history. Three rough seasons at LSU and three straight playoff misses have put him under a ton of pressure. Even Josh Pate highlighted the same thing, saying, “Brian Kelly has been around forever—go to his Wikipedia page after the show and check out how long he’s been a head coach—but yet he’s still not quote-unquote won the big one, not won a national championship. But yet I’ve always believed he can, still believe he can….LSU is a machine, you kind of have to steer it the right way. I think Brian Kelly can do that.” Let’s not forget Brian Kelly knows how to turn failure into success.
Brian Kelly’s masterstroke for LSU’s future
Well, if you don’t know, Brian Kelly just made a significant move in the world of NIL. Due to NCAA regulations preventing head coaches from directly supporting NIL initiatives, Kelly devised a solution. He contributed $1 million to the Tiger Athletic Foundation, LSU’s private fundraising organization, which sparked a series of events. In addition, he and his wife, Paqui, initiated the “Kelly Family Million Dollar Match Challenge” in December. The Bayou Traditions Football Fund will direct every donation made until February 5, 2025, to the Tigers’ Excellence Fund. That’s what you call a masterstroke.
Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; LSU Tigers coach Brian Kelly arrives before the game against the Southern California Trojans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
But the Tigers didn’t stop at winning on the field; Kelly’s million-dollar pledge inspired an anonymous donor to contribute an additional $1 million, boosting LSU’s NIL funds even more. This is fantastic news for Garrett Nussmeier, who has decided to return to Baton Rouge. With this new NIL support, LSU now has a total of $3.6 million, ranking second in the SEC and eighth nationally.
Now with Kelly’s guidance, a promising quarterback, and a flourishing NIL program, LSU is not just participating in the game but reshaping the landscape. The Tigers are amassing talent, accumulating funds, and positioning themselves to become a dominant force in the SEC and beyond.
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