BATON ROUGE, La. – As the start of the college football season approaches, there is palpable excitement within the walls of the newly expanded LSU football operations center. Players are currently engaged in a rigorous summer conditioning program, aiming to reach new personal bests. The atmosphere is charged with a singular objective: to secure a victory against Clemson in the season opener on August 30, 2025. The phrase “1-0” dominates their conversations, symbolizing the team’s commitment to starting the season on a winning note.
Ya’el Lofton, who has dedicated over 35 years to LSU, including nearly 25 years as the executive assistant to head coach Brian Kelly, eagerly anticipates Kelly’s potential to join the ranks of previous LSU champions, such as Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Ed Orgeron. The program has made significant strides, particularly in the transfer portal, acquiring players that bolster their chances for a championship run. Veteran quarterback Garrett Nussmeier returns this season, alongside an experienced defensive staff, with the expectation that this year will be pivotal for the program.
Despite the optimism, Kelly is acutely aware of the challenges ahead. Under his leadership, LSU has struggled to find success in season openers. The team has not won an opening game since 2019, when they clinched their last national championship with Joe Burrow at the helm. In fact, the Tigers have lost their past five season openers, a streak that Kelly aims to end.
In a recent team meeting, Kelly encouraged newcomers, including transfers and early enrollees, to share their motivations for joining LSU. Each player echoed a common goal: “I’m here to win a championship.” For Kelly, this season marks a turning point since his surprise transition from Notre Dame to LSU four years ago. He believes he now possesses the necessary resources and alignment within the university to compete at the highest level.
In his view, the expectations surrounding the program have sometimes been unrealistic. He remarked, “It’s been a process, right? It takes a little bit of time.” The governor of Louisiana also underscored the significance of LSU’s success, stating that their best Mondays follow a victory. This cultural importance places additional pressure on the team to perform.
In 2022, LSU contended for an SEC title with a strong showing from young quarterback Jayden Daniels, yet Kelly acknowledges that such early success may have set expectations too high. During the 2023 season, the Tigers finished with ten wins but fell short of a championship due to defensive struggles, ranking a disappointing No. 105 in total defense. Following a lackluster 2024 season, Kelly faced criticism, highlighted by a disheartening 42-13 loss to Alabama, which led to fan discontent.
Kelly has taken significant steps to address the team’s weaknesses, including overhauling the defensive staff and enhancing the team’s approach to the transfer portal. “We weren’t committed to going into the portal in the manner that we were this year,” he said, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit for new players. This season, LSU has recruited a standout transfer class, including top prospects like Barion Brown, Mansoor Delane, and Pat Payton.
Additionally, Kelly and his wife, Paqui, have pledged up to $1 million to support the football team’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) initiatives, which has attracted considerable donor interest. Since the announcement, approximately 1,600 donors have contributed to LSU’s efforts.
Kelly remains confident that the foundation for success is in place. “What it really means is that LSU football is among the elite,” he stated. Nonetheless, he recognizes that only one team can claim the championship each year, and a subpar season will not meet fan expectations.
Looking ahead to the clash with Clemson, Nussmeier, who will be starting for the Tigers again, expressed the importance of focusing on the first game. “In the past, we maybe have looked too far forward at the season,” he reflected. “Our goal is to win a national championship, but it starts with beating Clemson Week 1.”
With the introduction of a 12-team College Football Playoff system, a loss to Clemson would not eliminate LSU from championship contention. Still, a strong start is crucial to avoid early doubts about the team’s potential.
The resources available to Kelly and his staff have improved significantly, including a revamped operations center featuring state-of-the-art recovery and training facilities. As the countdown to the season opener continues, the anticipation within the LSU program transforms into a focused urgency. The upcoming match against Clemson is not just a game; it represents the first step towards a championship aspiration that has captured the heart of the team and its supporters.