LSU football’s 2023 recruiting class ranked No. 5 in college football. The class featured one five-star and 16 four-stars, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. The average signee had a rating of 91.20, putting LSU in the top 10 nationally.
It was the first class Brian Kelly’s staff recruited and signed at LSU and featured a load of talent homegrown in Louisiana.
But LSU is yet to get much from the group. Five of the top six ranked recruits in the class transferred. Lance Heard and DaShawn Womack, the headliners, are at Tennessee and Ole Miss, respectively. Neither claimed a full-time role while at LSU.
When you scroll past the top six, you’ll see even more players that hit the transfer portal. Ka’Morreun Pimpton, Kylin Jackson, Rickie Collins, Mac Markway, and Ryan Yaites were all blue-chip recruits. All left LSU.
From the group that did stick around, few players have emerged as difference-makers. Javien Toviano is the top-rated recruit from the class still with LSU. He’s flashed, but he was a depth piece in 2024. The same could be said for running back Kaleb Jackson.
But all hope is not lost. A handful of talented players from the 2023 signing class remain on the roster with a chance to break out in 2025, including Toviano and Jackson. We’ll look at five players who signed in 2023 with a chance to make a difference for LSU this fall.
Tyree Adams
Adams was a four-star and the No. 195 overall ranked recruit in On3’s Industry Rankings. He took a redshirt and only played three offensive snaps as a true freshman in 2023. In 2024, he got a chance as LSU struggled to find consistency after Garrett Dellinger’s injury at guard.
Adams played 139 snaps in 2024, posting a 53.6 offensive grade, per PFF. Adams was thrown into the fire vs. SEC defensive lines and growing pains were evident.
After Will Campbell opted out of LSU’s bowl game, Adams got a chance to be LSU’s starting left tackle. He took first-team reps for the entirety of bowl practice, and the talent began to emerge. Adams looked like a natural pass protector in LSU’s bowl win over Baylor. He has the size and arm length to protect on the edge, however, there were a few mental miscues. Adams was still figuring it out as a run blocker, too.
Adams is getting the majority of the reps at left tackle during spring practice and is the favorite to win the job. Another offseason of development has Adams in a position to break out this fall.
Kyle Parker
Kyle Parker only saw a few snaps as a freshman in 2023 but was in the receiver rotation to start 2024. He cracked the starting lineup vs. USC and South Alabama and was on the verge of taking another step, but an injury cut Parker’s campaign short.
In four games, he caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. His best play was a 45-yard touchdown catch vs. UCLA.
Parker was a consensus four-star recruit and has made a steady impression on the LSU coaching staff. The Tigers signed a haul of experienced wide receivers in the portal, so Parker won’t be one of LSU’s go-to options this fall, but he can contribute.
Parker is a solid route runner and can play in the slot or on the outside. His 2.29 yards per route run was efficient in limited action. If Parker is healthy, he’ll make an impact this fall.
Ashton Stamps
By some standards, Stamps has already emerged. He’s played over 1,058 career snaps at cornerback and his nine pass breakups in 2024 ranked second among SEC corners. Stamps made a big leap from where he was in 2023.
Now, Stamps has a chance to emerge as one of the SEC’s top defensive backs. There’s more competition in LSU’s secondary with the arrival of transfer Mansoor Delane and five-star freshman DJ Pickett. If Stamps earns a starting spot, its a sign of all-conference potential.
The sophomore to junior year jump is a big one. Stamps is no longer the young gun — he’s a veteran.
Javien Toviano
Toviano was one of several defensive backs thrown into the fire when LSU’s depth started to thin out in 2023. He played 302 snaps as a true freshman, making seven stops and allowing 13 catches. He bounced around, playing corner, safety, and nickelback.
Last year, Toviano’s playing time dipped as he only played 132 snaps, most of which came in the bowl game vs. Baylor, where he started and saw 82 snaps of action. Against Baylor, in 57 coverage snaps, Toviano allowed just two catches on eight targets.
Now, LSU has found a role for Toviano at safety, where the competition for the starting job is wide open. Toviano has impressed in spring ball and has a chance to carve out a big role with the Tigers’ defense this fall.
DJ Chester
Chester falls in a similar category to Stamps. He’s not a guy that’s been in and out of the lineup like some players on this list — he was LSU’s full-time starter at center in 2024.
As a redshirt freshman, Chester played 925 snaps. His PFF run-blocking grade of 49.5 ranked last among SEC centers and his 64.6 pass-block grade ranked 15th. He was credited with allowing three sacks on the year. Like many SEC offensive linemen, his first-year as a starter came with struggles.
However, Chester showed improvement in November and closed the season playing his best football.
LSU added center Braelin Moore in the transfer portal and most expect Moore to be LSU’s starting center. Chester will likely remain a starter but at guard.
Chester continues to draw positive reports in spring practice as he takes reps at center and guard. He’s talented and provides versatility. He was one of the top-ranked interior offensive line recruits in his class and has a chance to breakout at guard in 2025.
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