Final Depth Chart Predictions: LSU Football vs. Clemson Tigers Projected Starters

Brian Kelly and Co. will take the field at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, all eyes on the Bayou Bengals.

Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) drops back against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

No. 9 LSU will take the field at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night to open the 2025 season against Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers.

It'll be a Top-10 matchup in Week 1 with the LSU Tigers looking to snap a five-game losing streak in season openers with three coming under Brian Kelly's watch.

After a critical offseason in Baton Rouge, Kelly and Co. have redesigned the roster with 18 newcomers joining the program via the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Alongside the newcomers will be redshirt-senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier lining up under center for his second season as the starter.

“It’s going to be a hostile environment, a storied program with a cool atmosphere. For me, it’s about embracing the opportunity to go into an arena like that and try to silence the crowd.

"We’ve played in big-time places, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Florida. It’s nothing new, but their place is definitely one of those.”

Now, after navigating the offseason, rotations have emerged for the Bayou Bengals. Which players could the LSU Tigers roll out as the starters?

Courtesy of LSU Tigers Football.

The Projected Starters: Week 1 at Clemson

Offense:

Quarterback:

First-Team: Garrett Nussmeier
Second-Team: Michael Van Buren

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is preparing for a big-time season in Baton Rouge with the veteran signal-caller at the forefront of Heisman Trophy projections and 2026 NFL Draft buzz.

Behind Nussmeier will be Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren as he gears up for his first season with the program. From there, it's Colin Hurley as QB3.

Running Back:

First-Team: Caden Durham
Second-Team: Kaleb Jackson OR Harlem Berry

Caden Durham has handled business as the starter with Harlem Berry and Kaleb Jackson battling for RB2 duties, but Ju'Juan Johnson remains in the mix in alternate packages.

The versatile weapon has been used in a myriad of ways across his college career where he's now focusing on working as a running back in 2025.

Durham, Jackson and Berry are the names listed, but don't be surprised if Johnson takes serious reps at running back this upcoming season.

Courtesy of LSU Football.

Wide Receivers:

First-Team: Aaron Anderson, Chris Hilton and Zavion Thomas
Second-Team: Nic Anderson, Barion Brown and Kyle Parker

There's no reason to buy stock in which three wideouts roll out on the field come Week 1 at Clemson.

LSU has multiple SEC caliber wideouts that will make an impact this season with Brian Kelly and Co. flaunting an embarrassment of riches offensively.

The newcomers in Nic Anderson and Barion Brown are too talented to keep off of the field and have also taken first-team reps in practice along with Kyle Parker.

Tight End:

First-Team: Trey'Dez Green
Second-Team: Bauer Sharp

LSU will operate multiple 12 personnel sets this season with both Green and Sharp being on the field simultaneously as an elite one-two punch.

Courtesy of Bauer Sharp's Instagram.

Offensive Line:

First-Team: LT Tyree Adams, LG Paul Mubenga, C Braelin Moore, RG Josh Thompson, RT Weston Davis
Second-Team: LT Carius Curne, Coen Echols, C Braden Augustus, RG DJ Chester, RT Bo Bordelon OR Ory Williams

LSU has tinkered the offensive line this offseason with a new rotation emerging heading into Week 1 at Clemson.

It's safe to pencil in LT Tyree Adams, C Braelin Moore, RG Josh Thompson and RT Weston Davis as a clearcut first-team, but the left guard slot remain a battle.

Paul Mubenga is in line to start at left guard, but there will be a rotation with Brian Kelly stating that "six, seven, or even eight" offensive linemen could see the field.

The Defense:

Defensive Tackle:

First-Team: Bernard Gooden and Dominick McKinley
Second-Team: Ahmad Breaux and Jacobian Guillory

EDGE:

First-Team: Jack Pyburn and Gabriel Reliford/Patrick Payton
Second-Team: Patrick Payton/Gabriel Reliford and Jimari Butler

There's no need to buy stock in which unit comes rolling out first as the starters. LSU will showcase a deep rotation at EDGE.

Linebackers:

First-Team: Whit Weeks and West Weeks
Second-Team: Tylen Singleton and Davhon Keys

Courtesy of LSU Football.

STAR:

First-Team: Harold Perkins
Second-Team: CJ Jimcoily

Cornerbacks:

First-Team: Mansoor Delane and DJ Pickett/Ashton Stamps
Second-Team: DJ Pickett and Ja'Keem Jackson

The cornerback room will be one to monitor heading into Week 1 with Delane locking down one spot, but the other remains up for grabs.

Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane can be penciled in as a starter, but the other cornerback slot is still in a battle between what appears to be DJ Pickett and Ashton Stamps.

Ashton Stamps has held down first-team reps during preseason practice, but DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland have also emerged for this program.

Courtesy of LSU Football.

Safety:

First-Team: AJ Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley
Second-Team: Dashawn Spears and Javien Toviano

Houston transfer AJ Haulcy and North Carolina State transfer Tamarcus Cooley will likely be the starting safeties, but Haulcy will be out for the first half while serving a suspension.

LSU will likely roll with sophomore defensive back Dashawn Spears alongside Cooley while Haulcy sits to start Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.

More LSU News:

LSU Football Season Outlook: Predicting Brian Kelly and the Tigers Record in 2025

Nation's No. 1 Wide Receiver, Elite Five-Star LSU Football Commit on 'Flip Watch'

LSU Football Depth Chart Predictions: Projecting the Starters Against Clemson Tigers

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