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.
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It’s game week — time for a final depth chart prediction before LSU begins its 2025 campaign. Earlier this week, we covered the offense. Today, our attention turns to the defensive side of the ball. Expectations are high for LSU’s defense in year two under DC Blake Baker. The Tigers have a plethora of veteran talent with NFL futures.
Because of the rotational nature of defense, the format of this depth chart is a little different. I’ve broken each position down into starters and depth pieces.
Here’s what LSU’s defensive depth chart will look like in week one.
Defensive end
Starters
LSU will play a few defensive ends, so take the title “starter” with a grain of salt. But there are two guys we expect to hit the field first.
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Patrick Payton
Payton was one of the transfer portal’s top defenders, according to 247Sports transfer rankings. The former Florida State defensive end adds much-needed experience to LSU’s defensive front. Payton played 1,568 snaps at FSU, where he racked up 90 pressures and 68 stops. Payton was a top contributor on Florida State’s elite 2023 defense.
Jack Pyburn
Pyburn arrives at LSU with SEC experience after spending several seasons at Florida. He’s a veteran and despite being new to the program, he’s emerged as a leader. LSU expects Pyburn to be a stout run defender, but don’t sleep on Pyburn’s pass rush skills.
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Defensive end depth
Gabe Reliford
Sophomore defensive end Gabe Reliford has pushed for a starting job throughout the offseason. The four-star saw the field as a true freshman and has gotten rave reviews as he enters his sophomore campaign. Reliford will play a lot for this LSU defense and may even earn the occasional start.
Jimari Butler
LSU lost nearly all of its defensive end production from the 2024 squad. The Tigers needed established veterans and found one with the addition of Jimari Butler. Butler will be a versatile piece for this LSU front. LSU can play Butler at either end position, and he’s a productive player vs. the run and pass.
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Defensive tackle
Starters
Dominick McKinley
LSU’s defensive tackle room is deep, but McKinley is the most talented. He checks all the boxes you need to be a top defensive tackle in the SEC. He’s big, strong, and can move. McKinley was a five-star for a reason. McKinley flashed as a freshman, but is expected to have a true breakout year this fall.
Bernard Gooden
Gooden was a spring transfer addition for the LSU defense. The USF transfer was one of the most productive interior pass rushers in the country and he’s continued to show those skills at LSU. Few players earned as much praise as Gooden did during fall camp. LSU lacked speed on the interior defensive line last year, but Gooden’s explosiveness solves that problem.
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Jacobian Guillory
Guillory was supposed to be LSU’s best defensive tackle in 2024, but an injury cut his year short in week two. Guillory opted to return to LSU for a sixth year of college football, where his veteran presence will be put to good use on the defensive line. Guillory can do a little bit of everything up the middle, good against the run and can get after the passer.
Defensive tackle depth
Ahmad Breaux
McKinley wasn’t the only true freshman to see time for LSU at defensive tackle — Ahmad Breaux played a lot, too. Breaux was reunited with his high school defensive coordinator, Kyle Williams, when Williams was named LSU’s defensive line coach. In the spring, Breaux said working with Williams has allowed him to play faster. Look for Breaux to show progress this fall.
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Sydir Mitchell
Mitchell transferred to LSU this winter after beginning his career at Texas. Mitchell didn’t see much time with the Longhorns, but he’s talented, and LSU likes his size. He probably won’t play a ton early in the year, but could work his way into the rotation.
Other defensive tackles who could play
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Shone Washington saw limited action with LSU last year, but he’s a veteran and familiar with LSU’s system.
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True freshman Zion Williams had a strong finish to fall camp. LSU doesn’t shy away from playing true freshmen if they’re ready to contribute.
Linebacker
WILL LB: Whit Weeks
Whit Weeks emerged as a star in 2024 and enters 2025 as a preseason All-American. Weeks ranked No. 2 among SEC linebackers in pressures and stops last year. A good year, and he’ll be a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
MIKE LB: Dahvon Keys and West Weeks
This is a position where we might see some rotation. West Weeks was injured for much of 2024, which allowed Dahvon Keys to play as a true freshman. Keys looked good, but Weeks is back healthy. Weeks will likely be the first one to take the field, but don’t be surprised if both play.
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STAR: Harold Perkins
When LSU’s defense takes the field, all eyes will be on No. 7. The five-star talent is coming off a torn ACL, but he’s impressed during fall camp. There’s hope Perkins can finally settle into a position at STAR. The dynamic defender has talent, but LSU couldn’t figure out how to make the most of Perkins in 2023 and 2024. Now, LSU DC Blake Baker feels confident in the fourth-year defender.
Depth
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Redshirt freshman Tylen Singleton would be the next man up if LSU lost West Weeks, Whit Weeks, or Keys.
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Freshman CJ Jimcolly had an impressive offseason and could see some reps at the STAR position later in the year.
Cornerback
Starters
Mansoor Delane
Delane was a key transfer addition for LSU this cycle. After starring at Virginia Tech, he’s proven at the Power Four level. He’s emerged as a leader in this secondary and could be LSU’s best corner.
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Ashton Stamps
Stamps returns for year three in Baton Rouge. He saw the field as a true freshman in 2023, but struggled. Stamps started again in 2024 and took a big step forward. Now a veteran, Stamps has the chance to cement himself as one of LSU’s top defenders.
Potential starters
I didn’t want to label Pickett and Woodland as straight depth pieces. Both could play a lot this year and even earn a few starts.
DJ Pickett
Pickett is the highest-ranked recruit on LSU’s defense. The five-star true freshman is a freak athlete and stands at 6-foot-5. You don’t see many corners of that size. Pickett is expected to play a lot in 2025. I don’t know how many snaps he’ll see at Clemson, but expect Pickett to be ramped up by the time SEC play begins.
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PJ Woodland
Woodland was a three-star recruit in the class of 2024, but that didn’t prevent him from playing as a true freshman. Results were mixed, but Woodland has strong coverage skills when playing man. LSU has moved Woodland around throughout the summer, playing on the outside and in the slot.
What about Ja’Keem Jackson?
Don’t write off Florida transfer Ja’Keem Jackson. Jackson has been in and out of practice as he navigates an injury, but when he’s healthy, he’s got the talent to start. If LSU’s starters struggle, the Tigers won’t be shy to give Jackson a chance.
Safety
Starters
AJ Haulcy
Few positions have generated as much excitement as LSU’s safety spot this offseason. Talented transfers have turned the room around, and it’s now expected to be a strength. That starts with AJ Haulcy, who transferred to LSU after being one of the most productive safeties in the Big 12 at Houston.
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TaMarcus Cooley
Cooley joins Haulcy as another top-ranked transfer safety. The NC State transfer was a playmaker for the Wolfpack last year. If Cooley makes that same impact for LSU, the Tigers have massive upside on the backend.
Depth
Javien Toviano
Toviano split time between corner and safety his first two years at LSU. Depth was an issue for LSU at both positions and Toviano was forced to play wherever LSU needed it most. Now, Toviano has a consistent home at safety. Toviano had a good offseason and will continue to compete for playing time.
Da’Shawn Spears
Spears was a four-star recruit who played as a true freshman in 2024. He wasn’t perfect, but it’s not easy to be a true freshman defensive back in the SEC. If Spears continues to develop, he’ll be a contributor by season’s end.
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Jardin Gilbert
Gilbert started for LSU last year, but was inconsistent. He has experience and should still rotate in some this year.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Final LSU defensive depth chart prediction for week one vs. Clemson
