HOUSTON — Before LSU played in the Texas Bowl, coach Brian Kelly framed the game as a way for the team to start the 2025 season. It provided an ending to this year, but as non-playoff bowls often do these days, it also offered a chance to look ahead.

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly's work to rebuild the Tigers into a top SEC contender has only just begun.

Shrinking the field and secondary players making open-field tackles have been points of emphasis for Kelly all season. Without Sage Ryan or Major Burns, Gilbert was the lone safety with experience, while sophomore Toviano got his first real game time as a starter.

LSU spent the offseason working with Perkins as an inside linebacker going into the first year under defensive coordinator Blake Baker, but he moved to strongside linebacker again after a couple of weeks, replacing the Star position in Baker’s scheme. Perkins notched 17 tackles, 1½ tackles for loss and no sacks through four games before the injury.

Brian Kelly said that his NIL donation match challenge response from fans and donors has positioned LSU football to remain aggressive in portal.

The LSU Tigers' 2024 season is officially in the rearview mirror after taking down the Baylor Bears 44-31 in the Texas Bowl on New Year's Eve. Brian Kelly and the Bayou Bengals end the year with a 9-4 record and will now enter an offseason of significant importance.