Tigers maintain consensus top-five class in America

Brian Kelly and the LSU football staff are still busy putting together a program-changing recruiting class for 2025. This week, more dominoes are falling their way.

The Bayou Bengals have added two five-star prospects and are now one of the top five teams in America.

With Bryce Underwood as headliner, the Tigers are in full contention for the top spot in the current cycle.

A deep dive into the class of 2025:

Bryce Underwood: No. 1 quarterback in America

Height: 6’4
Weight: 215 pounds

The overview, per On3 Sports: “Bryce Underwood made an immediate impact at the college level as a freshman at Belleville (Michigan) High School. Underwood threw for 2,888 yards and 39 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He also added six rushing scores in his first season to lead Belleville to a state championship. Underwood was named the Michigan Associated Press Division 1-2 Player of the Year after a stellar freshman season. He went on to lead Belleville to a perfect 14-0 record and another state title in 2022. Underwood threw for 2,762 yards and 37 touchdowns as a sophomore. To make it even more impressive, Underwood technically could be a 2026 prospect, but he is graduating early as part of the class of 2025.”

Harlem Berry: No. 1 running back in America

Height: 5’10
Weight: 182 pounds

The overview, per On3 Sports: “St. Martin’s Episcopal School coach Marcus Dizer isn’t shy about praising Harlem Berry. ‘In all my years, I’ve never coached or seen a better player than Harlem,’ Dizer said. During his first two seasons of varsity football, Berry had 4,723 all-purpose yards and 67 touchdowns. He also won the Louisiana 1A state titles in the 100 (10.57) and 200 yards (21.43) during his sophomore year. As a sophomore, Berry rushed 193 times for 2,237 yards (11.6 yards per carry) and 37 touchdowns. During his junior season, he was named the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Player of the Month for September after rushing for 805 yards and 16 scores — in just four games. ‘He’s brilliant,’ Dizer said. ‘We don’t win games without him.'”

DJ Pickett: No. 1 Cornerback in America

Height: 6’4
Weight: 180 pounds

The overview: According to 247Sports, “Lanky is a two-way playmaker who allows the mind to get pretty creative when it comes to identifying potential roles, but deserves a look as a field corner given his unique frame and quick lower body. Measured around 6-foot-4, 180 pounds the summer before last season, making him one of the tallest defensive backs to come out of the high school ranks in recent cycles. Even more notable, he entered with a nearly 6-foot-8 wingspan. Has dominated the Florida State competition in recent years, making an impact as both a wide receiver and deep safety. Has what it takes to emerge as a true game-breaker on offense with his size and foot speed, but the ability to generate turnovers with his advanced ball skills while also mirroring the reverse makes him an intriguing option in both man and out of coverage.”

Derek Meadows: Five-star wide receiver

Height: 6’6
Weight: 205 pounds

The overview: According to 247Sports, “Meadows is a jumbo receiver and one of the most intriguing prospects in the ’25 class. He has a rare combination of size, athleticism and body control and has only scratched the surface of how good we think he can be. At 6-6, 200 pounds with an 80-inch wingspan, he’s a nightmare for smaller defenders and should be an immediate threat in the red zone. He can also run and is one of the area’s best athletes, though a hamstring injury limited him this spring. He was the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year as a sophomore and is one of the area’s best hurdlers. He has a big frame and we wouldn’t be surprised to see him eventually develop into a pass-catching tight end who would be deadly against linebackers and safeties in the middle of the field.”

Carius Curne: #1 Interior Offensive Lineman in America

Height: 6’4
Weight: 320 pounds

The overview: Curne is a late bloomer on the field, having begun his playing career just three years ago in the ninth grade. Fast forward to the end of his junior campaign, and he has emerged as the top-ranked interior offensive lineman in the country with the opportunity to play defensive line if needed. Curne, the No. 1 player in Arkansas, is a game-changer who will elevate LSU’s offensive line for years to come.

Charles Ross: No. 10 Linebacker in America

Height: 6’0
Weight: 200 pounds

The overview: Ross is a fast-rising prospect in the 2025 cycle with a chance to continue to elevate his status long-term. He’s gone from a non-Top 300 player to a Top 100 recruit because of his raw speed and athleticism at the secondary level. The speed demon is a dominant athlete on the court and that carries over to his play on the court.

Tyler Miller: Top 10 Interior Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’5
Weight: 315 pounds

The overview: Laurel High coach Ryan Earnest isn’t afraid to brag about Tyler Miller. “His size, his strength, and he’s just insanely athletic,” Earnest told the Hattiesburg American of Miller, who led Laurel to the 2023 Mississippi 5A title. “He creates some problems for people on the other side of the ball. And we’re never afraid to say we’re just going to run after him and let him pave the way. He’s that talented.”

Devin Harper: Top 10 Interior Offensive Lineman in America

Height: 6’4
Weight: 300 pounds

The overview: “Physical, tone-setting offensive lineman with the potential to play inside or outside. Possesses the requisite physical tools for either role, including a 34+ inch arm length. Convicted down blocker and block finisher. Displays the necessary lateral mobility and above-average foot quickness. Hand placement consistency could improve, but when on target, can provide serious power. Strength- and power-oriented blocker who is still honing his technical skills, whether it’s footwork or bending consistency. Body control and balance improved from year two to year three, which is encouraging given his increased mass,” according to Gabe Brooks of 247Sports.

Jesse Harrold: Four-star EDGE

Height: 6’4
Weight: 230 pounds

The overview: “Has experience running from both a two- and three-point stance and would likely fit into an odd- or even-sided position at the next level. Not the most technically advanced prospect right now, but creates pressure with his athleticism and energy. Shows the ability to not only retrace but also bend while turning the corner. Often makes stops a few holes down the stretch and has the range to get down the field and clean up mistakes,” according to Andrew Irvins of 247Sports.

JT Lindsey: No. 2 running back in Louisiana

Height: 5’11
Weight: 185 pounds

The overview: “Big player who has carried a heavy workload and likely has enough physical development to do so at the next level. Strong track times support what we see on the field. Good initial acceleration paired with home run top speed. Quick-footed in the gap. Shows how to make moves at the first and second levels. Creative runner when needed. Smooth tackle-breaker who can spin out of trouble and suddenly cut to stack moves that free him up to open territory,” according to Gabe Brooks of 247Sports.

TaRon Francis: No. 1 wide receiver in Louisiana

Height: 6’1
Weight: 196 pounds

The overview: The No. 1 wide receiver in Louisiana has shown tremendous athleticism and a nervousness with the ball in his hands, which routinely makes him a force. Francis is smooth and not afraid of physical contact and has shown that during his time at Edna Karr. LSU will send the top-ranked receiver to Baton Rouge with a chance to explode under Brian Kelly’s offense.

Damien Shanklin: No. 5 EDGE in America

Height: 1.96 m
Weight: 230

The overview: The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder is rated a Top 10 EDGE in America, with the Tigers winning over Alabama and Ohio State for his services. The speedy, twitchy edge rusher has a chance to flourish with Bo Davis and Kevin Peoples coaching him for the long haul. Expect Shanklin to be an immediate impact guy in Baton Rouge sooner rather than later.

Brandon Brown: Four-star defenseman

Height: 6’1
Weight: 290 pounds

The overview: Brown traded his commitment from Texas to LSU after defensive line coach Bo Davis and company turned up the heat for the dominant interior lineman. He’s making strides in the right direction and has a chance to see his ranking climb before he gets to Baton Rouge.

Zion Williams: Four-star defenseman

Height: 1.93 m
Weight: 330

The overview: Davis and his recruiting team, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound threat up front, circled Williams as a top priority down the stretch, with the Tigers emerging victorious for his services. The four-star Texas native is viewed as a gem by the LSU staff, with the program rolling out the red carpet during his official visit last month. Williams traveled to Baton Rouge in early June for a multi-day stay.

Jhase Thomas: Four-star safety

Height: 6’1
Weight: 180 pounds

Keylan Moses: Four-star Linebacker

Height: 6’1
Weight: 215 pounds

J.D. LaFleur: No. 1 tight end in Louisiana

Height: 6’6
Weight: 235 pounds

Brett Bordelon: Elite Offensive Lineman

Height: 6’4
Weight: 300 pounds

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