Taking the Next Step: LSU Staffer Identifies Tigers Ready to Become Stars
The expectations in Baton Rouge are always high. After all, this is LSU—home of Saturday night legends, Heisman heroes, and national champions. But championships aren’t won overnight, and even in Death Valley, greatness takes time, work, and belief. As LSU football turns its focus to the upcoming season, one staff member has turned heads within the program by highlighting a group of Tigers who, in his words, are “about to take the next step.”
These aren’t just veterans resting on experience or highly touted recruits living off high school accolades. These are players who’ve quietly—or in some cases loudly—put in the work behind the scenes. Now, with the spotlight looming, they’re ready to lead the next great chapter in LSU football.
We caught up with this staff insider—who requested anonymity to speak candidly—about the players he believes are set to elevate their games and shape LSU’s identity moving forward.
1. Harold Perkins Jr. — LB
Perkins has already made a name for himself nationally, flashing brilliance as a freshman and causing havoc from every angle on the field. But according to the staffer, Perkins is far from satisfied.
“People think what Harold’s done so far is the ceiling. It’s not. He’s just scratching the surface,” the staffer says. “This offseason, he’s taken a huge step forward in leadership. He’s watching more film, mentoring the younger linebackers, and becoming a complete player—not just a weapon.”
After a standout 2023 season with 80 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and multiple forced fumbles, Perkins enters 2025 as one of the most feared defenders in the SEC. With improved understanding of defensive schemes and greater communication responsibilities, expect him to go from star to superstar.
2. Will Campbell — LT
The anchor of LSU’s offensive line, Campbell arrived on campus with high expectations and has met them every step of the way. Now entering his third season, the 6-foot-6, 325-pound lineman is no longer just a young talent—he’s a team leader and a potential first-round NFL Draft pick.
“Will has transformed his body, his footwork, and his mindset,” the staffer explains. “He’s taken full command of the offensive line room. There’s no doubt who the leader is.”
Campbell’s consistency in protecting the quarterback and clearing lanes for the run game has made him indispensable. But the staff believes 2025 could be his most dominant season yet, with whispers inside the building that he’s drawing comparisons to Andrew Whitworth in terms of maturity and technical skill.
3. Ryan Yaites — S
If there’s one name fans may not be as familiar with—yet—it’s Ryan Yaites. A former four-star safety out of Texas, Yaites has patiently developed under the radar in a loaded secondary room. That’s about to change.
“Yaites is ready,” the staffer says. “He’s physical, instinctual, and just has a nose for the football. He reminds us of Grant Delpit, but he hits like Jamal Adams.”
In spring practices, Yaites was all over the field—blitzing, covering tight ends, and making open-field tackles. With several departures from the secondary to the NFL, Yaites is expected to start and could become one of the breakout defenders in the SEC.
4. Kaleb Jackson — RB
The LSU backfield has long been a crowded—and competitive—group. But Kaleb Jackson, the bruising 220-pound back from Baton Rouge, is beginning to separate himself.
“Kaleb runs angry,” the staffer says. “He finishes every run with bad intentions, and he’s starting to show patience and vision. That’s the difference.”
Jackson averaged 5.6 yards per carry in limited action last season, and he’s taken on a bigger role in both pass protection and receiving out of the backfield this spring. With improved conditioning and a better grasp of the offense, he’s positioned to be the feature back this fall.
5. Jalen Brown — WR
Every year, LSU seems to produce another future NFL star at wide receiver, and Jalen Brown could be next in line. A track star with elite speed and refined route running, Brown has added muscle and confidence heading into 2025.
“When he first got here, he was raw but fast. Now he’s polished, dangerous, and more vocal in meetings,” the staffer says. “He’s grown into the kind of receiver who scares corners at the line.”
With Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. off to the NFL, Brown has a golden opportunity to step into a starting role and produce immediately. If spring game performance is any indication—he caught six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown—he’s more than ready.
6. DJ Chester — OL
Often overlooked because of Campbell and Emory Jones, DJ Chester is another young offensive lineman the staff believes is turning the corner.
“He’s our Swiss army knife,” the staffer says. “He can play guard or center, and he’s one of the smartest guys in the room.”
Chester saw limited action as a freshman but has had a massive offseason in the weight room and is pushing for a starting role. His ability to call protections and adjust blocking schemes mid-play has impressed the coaching staff.
7. Javien Toviano — CB
The cornerback spot was a major concern for LSU in 2023, but help is on the way—and Toviano is leading the charge.
A former top-100 recruit, Toviano has bulked up and refined his footwork, earning first-team reps throughout spring practice.
“He’s got that dog in him,” the staffer says. “He’s physical, smart, and fearless. We needed someone to lock down that side of the field, and he’s stepping into that role.”
Toviano’s emergence could be a game-changer for an LSU defense that struggled with consistency in pass coverage last season.
A Culture Shift Underway
The insider notes that what’s happening behind closed doors at LSU isn’t just about individual improvement—it’s a cultural shift.
“This is the first time since 2019 where I walk through the building and feel like the whole team is locked in,” the staffer says. “There’s accountability, hunger, and real belief in what we’re building.”
The offseason workouts have been intense, film study attendance is at an all-time high, and the veteran leaders are setting a tone that’s being echoed by the younger players.
The Brian Kelly Effect
Since arriving in Baton Rouge, Brian Kelly has faced skepticism—not just from national pundits, but at times from his own fan base. A Northern outsider taking over a Southern institution. But results matter, and Kelly has delivered: an SEC West title, a 10-win season, and a pipeline to the NFL.
Now, entering year three, the pieces are aligning—and the players are buying in.
“We’re past the transition phase,” the staffer says. “This is now Brian Kelly’s team, through and through. The guys he’s recruited, the culture he’s built—it’s all starting to click.”
Looking Ahead
With a top-3 recruiting class incoming, experienced talent returning, and an emerging group of breakout players, LSU is once again being mentioned as a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. But inside the building, the message remains simple:
Earn everything.
The staffer closes with a warning—to opponents and fans alike:
“You’re going to hear a lot of new names this fall. But none of it’s random. These guys have been working for this moment for a long time. Now it’s here. Now they’re ready.”
In Baton Rouge, taking the next step isn’t just about stats or spotlight. It’s about embracing the standard—and these Tigers are ready to run with it.
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