The LSU Tigers’ running back room has historically been a cornerstone of their offensive identity, producing NFL stars like Leonard Fournette, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Tyrion Davis-Price. In 2024, LSU’s ground game showed flashes of its potential, finishing with 1,814 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns despite ranking 82nd nationally at 4.1 yards per carry. The Tigers’ 9-4 season, capped by a Texas Bowl victory over Baylor, highlighted the emergence of freshman Caden Durham, who led the team with 753 yards and six scores. With leading rusher Josh Williams off to the NFL and a new offensive line needing to gel, the 2025 running back corps faces both opportunity and pressure.
Under offensive coordinator Joe Sloan and new run game coordinator Alex Atkins, LSU has bolstered the position with elite freshmen and returning talent, positioning the group to complement quarterback Garrett Nussmeier’s high-powered passing attack. With a favorable early schedule and a deep backfield, the Tigers’ running backs could elevate LSU to a top-tier SEC offense and fuel a playoff push. This deep dive explores the expectations for the 2025 running back room, offseason additions, players to watch, and the challenges ahead.
Expectations for 2025 Running Back Room
The 2025 season brings heightened expectations for LSU’s running backs, as the program aims to restore its ground game to elite status after a middling 2024. Last year’s 139.5 rushing yards per game in SEC play ranked 12th in the conference, a far cry from the Fournette era. With Nussmeier projected to lead a top-10 passing offense (293.8 yards per game in 2024), the running backs must deliver balance to keep defenses honest. SP+ projections rank LSU’s offense No. 2 nationally, to average 4.8 yards per carry and produce at least 20 rushing touchdowns to support a potential 10-win season and playoff berth.
Sloan’s system, which blends power runs with zone schemes, relies on versatile backs who can break tackles and contribute in the passing game. Atkins, hired from Florida State to overhaul the run game, brings a track record of developing top-10 rushing offenses, and his influence will be critical. Early non-conference games against Clemson and South Alabama offer a chance to establish rhythm before SEC battles against Florida, Alabama, and Texas A&M. The running backs are expected to produce a 1,000-yard rusher, with multiple backs combining for 2,000+ yards, leveraging a deep rotation to wear down defenses.
Offseason Additions: Freshman Firepower and Transfer Depth
LSU’s running back room lost Josh Williams (461 yards, five TDs in 2024) to the NFL, but strategic offseason moves have ensured depth and upside. Head coach Brian Kelly and Atkins prioritized elite recruits and a key transfer to rebuild the backfield, complementing returning contributors.
Harlem Berry (Freshman): The No. 1 running back in the 2025 class per 247Sports, Berry is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound dynamo from Metairie, Louisiana. His high school stats (2,178 yards, 29 TDs as a senior) and 4.4 speed make him a home-run threat.
JT Lindsey (Freshman): A four-star recruit from Alexandria, Louisiana, Lindsey adds power at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds. His 1,892-yard, 22-TD senior season showcases his ability to grind out tough yards. Atkins praised Lindsey’s “physicality and vision” in fall camp, per On3, suggesting a complementary role to Berry’s speed.
These additions join a returning core, creating one of the deepest backfields in the SEC. The focus on freshmen reflects LSU’s long-term vision, while Ott’s experience addresses immediate needs. The offensive line, rebuilt with transfers like Braelin Moore (Virginia Tech) and Josh Thompson (Northwestern), must improve on 2024’s 3.6 yards per carry in SEC play to unlock the group’s potential.
These additions join a returning core, creating one of the deepest backfields in the SEC. The focus on freshmen reflects LSU’s long-term vision, while Ott’s experience addresses immediate needs. The offensive line, rebuilt with transfers like Braelin Moore (Virginia Tech) and Josh Thompson (Northwestern), must improve on 2024’s 3.6 yards per carry in SEC play to unlock the group’s potential.
Related: LSU Football 2025 Position Previews: Wide Receiver
Players to Watch
LSU’s 2025 running back room combines proven production, elite recruits, and a versatile transfer, offering a mix of speed, power, and receiving skills. Here are the key players to watch:
Caden Durham: A 5-foot-8, 195-pound sophomore, Durham burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2024, leading LSU with 753 yards and six touchdowns at 4.7 yards per carry. His 68-yard touchdown run against UCLA showcased his breakaway speed, and his 28 receptions for 212 yards added versatility. As the projected RB1, Durham is on pace for a 1,000-yard season, with ESPN’s Cole Cubelic noting his “elite balance” and ability to evade tacklers (forced 42 missed tackles in 2024, per Pro Football Focus).
Harlem Berry: The five-star freshman is a generational talent with the potential to challenge Durham for RB1 snaps. Berry’s speed and elusiveness draw comparisons to Reggie Bush, and his high school tape shows an ability to score from anywhere (six 70+ yard TDs). If he adapts to SEC physicality, Berry could push for 700–900 yards as a freshman, especially in open-field situations.
JT Lindsey: The four-star freshman offers a bruising complement to Durham and Berry. His size and power make him ideal for short-yardage and goal-line situations, potentially carving out a role similar to Josh Williams’ in 2024. Lindsey’s high school physicality (broke 38 tackles as a senior) suggests he could see 100–200 carries as a rotational back.
Kaleb Jackson: A 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior, Jackson showed flashes in 2024 with 287 yards and three touchdowns but struggled with consistency (4.2 YPC). His size and athleticism make him a sleeper for a bigger role, especially in Atkins’ power-run schemes. A healthy offseason could lead to a breakout, with 400–600 yards possible in a crowded backfield.
Challenges and Outlook
The running back-room’s depth is a strength, but challenges loom. The offensive line, with only one returning starter (Bo Bordelon), must improve blocking efficiency after allowing 2.3 sacks per game in 2024. Integrating freshmen like Berry and Lindsey into SEC play carries risks, as their high school dominance may not translate immediately against defenses like Alabama’s (3.1 YPC allowed in 2024).
Balancing carries among five talented backs will test Atkins’ play-calling, especially in a competitive backfield. The schedule offers early opportunities to establish the run game against Clemson and South Alabama, but matchups against Alabama, Florida, and Texas A&M will challenge the group’s physicality. If the line gels and Atkins’ schemes click, LSU could surpass 2,000 rushing yards and produce a top 25 ground game nationally.
