LSU football is days away from kicking off the 2025 season at Clemson. When LSU takes the field, it won’t be the same roster we saw in 2024. LSU has plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball after LSU made an aggressive push in the transfer portal, signing the nation’s top-ranked transfer class.

An influx of talent upped the level of competition throughout the spring and summer. Players had to earn their spots. In 2024, LSU lacked depth, which meant some guys just found their way onto the field, regardless of whether they were playing SEC-caliber football.

It’s game week — time for a final depth chart prediction before LSU begins its 2025 campaign. We’ll start with the offense today. Some spots are obvious, like quarterback, where Garrett Nussmeier is the clear-cut No. 1. There’s more debate at positions such as offensive line, where LSU was still shuffling in the final days of fall camp.

Here’s what we expect LSU football’s offensive depth chart to look like in week one.

QuarterbackQB1: Garrett Nussmeier

Nussmeier was just given LSU’s coveted No. 18. LSU awards the number annually to a player who represents what it means to be a Tiger, on the field and in the locker room. Nussmeier, a fifth-year senior, is the leader of this team and one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. If Nussmeier meets expectations, the sky is the limit for LSU’s offense.

QB2: Michael Van Buren

LSU needed experienced depth behind Nussmeier, so the Tigers took Van Buren out of the transfer portal. Van Buren spent 2024 with Mississippi State and flashed as a freshman. He’s been up and down with LSU so far, but he has an entire season to develop in LSU’s system before competing for the starting job next year.

QB3: Colin Hurley

Colin Hurley was sidelined during spring practice after a January car accident, but Hurley rejoined the team ahead of fall camp and is back to full health. Hurley was a four-star recruit in the class of 2024 and took a redshirt last fall. He won’t see much action again this year, but will have a chance to compete with Van Buren in 2026.

Wildcat QB: Ju’Juan Johnson

LSU is looking to get Ju’Juan Johnson more involved in the offense. The Tigers have worked Johnson in wildcat packages throughout the offseason as a way to kickstart the run game.

Running BackRB1: Caden Durham

Durham will be a true feature back for LSU in 2025. He surpassed 1,000 total yards as a true freshman in 2024 and will build on that with an even bigger workload in 2025. Durham was one of the top-ranked running back recruits in his class and it’s easy to see why when you turn on the tape. He’s explosive and has the strength to run between the tackles. Durham will make an impact in the passing game, too.

RB2: Kaleb Jackson OR Harlem Berry

Behind Durham, LSU doesn’t have much proven depth. Kaleb Jackson is entering his junior year after seeing limited action in 2024. Jackson showed promise as a true freshman in 2023 and LSU is hoping to see that version of the talented running back in 2025.

There’s plenty of buzz about five-star running back Harlem Berry, the top-ranked running back recruit in the class of 2025. Berry is just a true freshman, but he’s the most talented running back LSU’s had in some time. LSU needs an immediate impact from the Louisiana native.

RB3: Ju’Juan Johnson

We discussed the impact Johnson could make as a wildcat quarterback, but he’s also providing depth for LSU at the running back position. Johnson saw time at RB last year and could see a slightly increased workload this year.

Wide ReceiverWR1: Barion Brown

LSU lost four of its top five wide receivers from 2024, making the position a priority in the transfer portal. LSU eased those concerns by adding Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown.

Brown was among the SEC’s most explosive players in Lexington, but the Kentucky offense struggled and Brown’s production dipped in 2024. Now at LSU, Brown has the tools to put up big numbers.

WR2: Chris Hilton Jr.

Hilton was a member of the 2021 signing class along with Nussmeier. Hilton’s talent has flashed throughout his four years in Baton Rouge, but it hasn’t all come together quite yet. After a healthy offseason, the veteran wide receiver is expected to have a career year. LSU needs Hilton to be a consistent deep threat on the outside.

WR3: Nic Anderson

Anderson was one of LSU’s top portal additions this cycle. The former Oklahoma receiver was a big-play machine in 2023 before missing most of 2024 with an injury. Anderson was still working to get healthy early in the offseason, but he settled in during training camp. Anderson will compete for a high share of targets.

WR4: Kyle Parker or Destyn Hill

LSU has strong depth at receiver with Kyle Parker and Destyn Hill. Parker was beginning to emerge last year before an injury cut his season short.

Hill was a blue-chip recruit who originally signed with Florida State in 2022. It never worked out for Hill in Tallahassee, but the talent is still there and Hill has impressed throughout the offseason.

Slot ReceiverSLWR1: Aaron Anderson

Anderson was LSU’s leading receiver in 2024 and returns with All-SEC potential in 2025. Anderson has elite speed and was Nussmeier’s most trusted target in big moments. Anderson brings explosiveness and reliability to LSU’s passing game.

SLWR2: Zavion Thomas

Thomas was a versatile chess piece for LSU’s offense and his touch volume could increase this fall. Expect to see Thomas lineup all over the field — slot, backfield, and out wide.

Tight EndTE1: Bauer Sharp

LSU is tasked with replacing tight end Mason Taylor after Taylor was a stalwart at the position for three years. The Tigers hit the transfer portal and signed Oklahoma’s Bauer Sharp. Sharp was OU’s leading receiver and is an impact run blocker.

TE2: Trey’Dez Green

Green has earned rave reviews from the LSU coaching staff during fall camp. The 6-foot-7 tight end is an elite talent and a matchup nightmare. Brian Kelly has talked about Green’s need to develop as a blocker and become an all-around tight end. Green made progress in that department this offseason.

LSU will get Green on the field. LSU will use plenty of 12 personnel this fall.

TE3: Donovan Green

Green, a Texas A&M transfer, provides depth to LSU’s tight end room. He brings SEC experience and has the size to block SEC defensive ends.

Left TackleLT1: Tyree Adams

Adams started at left tackle when Will Campbell opted out of the bowl game. LSU was impressed with Adams, and the talented lineman seized the opportunity, winning the job early in the spring. Adams was a four-star prospect in the class of 2023, and after two years of development, he’s primed for a breakout.

RT2: Carius Curne OR Weston Davis

We mentioned LSU’s offensive line wasn’t set in stone. Curne and Davis are both involved in the shuffling. They’re competing for the starting job at right tackle. The loser of that battle will serve as LSU’s backup tackle.

Left GuardLG1: Paul Mubenga

For much of the summer, DJ Chester was projected to start here. But lately, there’s momentum with Paul Mubenga.

Mubenga earned his first career start vs. Alabama in 2024. He started every game the rest of the way as LSU navigated injury problems on the offensive line. Mubenga struggled, but the amount of first-team reps Mubenga saw in recent weeks is a promising sign.

LG2: DJ Chester OR Coen Echols

If Mubenga earns the job, that leaves DJ Chester and Coen Echols providing depth. Don’t be surprised if both of these players rotate in.

CenterC1: Braelin Moore

Moore was a key transfer addition for LSU’s offensive line. The former Virginia Tech center gives LSU a veteran on the interior, which should raise the level of play after LSU struggled up the middle last year.

C2: DJ Chester

Chester was LSU’s starting center in 2024. With Moore and Chester on the roster, LSU has two centers with significant power conference experience.

Right GuardRG1: Josh Thompson

According to On3, Thompson was the No. 1-ranked interior offensive lineman in the transfer portal. Thompson arrived in Baton Rouge midway through spring ball. That made it difficult to install Thompson as a starter right away, but Thompson didn’t waste much time claiming the job when fall camp began.

RG2: DJ Chester OR Coen Echols

Again, we have Chester or Echols providing depth here if needed.

Right TackleRT1: Carius Curne OR Weston Davis

LSU’s right tackle position remains up in the air with a competition between Carius Curne and Weston Davis. Curne, a true freshman, saw significant time with the starters in LSU’s final week of fall camp. Curne was one of the top-ranked linemen in his recruiting class and LSU hasn’t shied away from playing true freshmen tackles in the past.

Brian Kelly said LSU moved Curne to right tackle to push Davis. Kelly felt there wasn’t enough competition there.

It’s hard to say who has the edge right now. Davis was LSU’s first-team right tackle for most of the offseason. It would be a surprise to see Davis usurped by a true freshman in the final weeks of the offseason. At the same time, its hard to overlook Curne’s first-team reps.

Both players are talented, but both lack experience. If neither has seperated by the time LSU kicks it off vs. Clemson, its fair to ask questions about the position.

Offensive line depthBo Bordelon

Bo Bordelon is set to provide depth across LSU’s offensive line. LSU worked Bordelon in the game last year as a sixth offensive lineman in LSU’s heavy set. He’s versatile and can contribute at guard and tackle.