The Future of LSU's Backfield: A Look at Freshman Running Back Recruiting
The LSU Tigers have a history of producing exceptional running backs, and the current focus is on the potential impact of their freshman recruits. With established players and promising newcomers, the competition for carries will be fierce. This article delves into the prospects of Harlem Berry and JT Lindsey, examining their strengths, potential roles, and the overall landscape of the LSU running back room.
The Arrival of Harlem Berry: A Five-Star Phenom
Harlem Berry, a five-star recruit from Metairie's St. Martin's Episcopal School, has generated considerable excitement. Ranked as the No. 1 running back in the 2025 class by multiple recruiting services, Berry brings elite speed and receiving ability to the Tigers' offense.
High Praise and Early Impressions
LSU head coach Brian Kelly has lauded Berry's natural running instincts, highlighting his vision and smooth running style. "He's a natural runner of the football. He sees things that you just don't coach," Kelly noted. Berry's ability to catch the ball effectively adds another dimension to his game, drawing comparisons to Alvin Kamara and other versatile backs.
Overcoming Challenges
Berry enrolled early but faced a nagging injury during spring practice. However, he has since recovered and made a strong impression during fall camp, adding 20 pounds to his frame since January. Despite the competition, Kelly anticipates Berry will contribute significantly in 2025.
Berry's Debut
The first surprise in LSU football's game against Texas A&M came from the starting lineup, when freshman Harlem Berry was named the starting running back over Caden Durham on Saturday night. Entering that game, he had rushed 37 times for 166 yards and a touchdown in his college career. The best game of his freshman season came the previous week against Vanderbilt, when Berry had career-highs of 11 carries and 55 yards. By the end of the 2025 season, LSU freshman running back Harlem Berry gained 491 yards on 104 carries with two touchdowns.
Read also: Bulldogs' Backfield Breakdown
JT Lindsey: The "Forgotten Man" with Untapped Potential
While Harlem Berry has garnered much of the attention, fellow freshman JT Lindsey should not be overlooked. A top-150 overall player and a top-10 running back in the 2025 class, Lindsey possesses a similar skillset to Berry and Durham, characterized by speed and agility.
A Complementary Piece?
Lindsey's arrival raises questions about the type of rushing attack Brian Kelly aims to establish. Will his skillset prove redundant alongside Berry and Durham, or will he offer a unique dimension to the Tigers' ground game? Only time will tell how Lindsey carves out his role in the LSU offense.
The Incumbent: Caden Durham
Durham surpassed 1,000 total yards as a true freshman in 2024 and projects to be LSU's clear feature back in 2025. Durham's 2024 workload shows Kelly isn't afraid of throwing a true freshman running back out there.
Poised for Stardom
Caden Durham emerged as LSU's No. 1 back, showcasing the track speed that made him a highly touted recruit. Despite battling dislocated toes, Durham earned Freshman All-SEC honors. With a hopefully improved run-blocking scheme, Durham has the potential to become one of the nation's top running backs.
Kaleb Jackson: The Physical Presence
Kaleb Jackson enters his third year at LSU, bringing a physical running style to the backfield. While Durham and Berry offer speed and agility, Jackson provides a size advantage and the ability to run through tackles.
Read also: Do Colleges Care?
A Role to Play
After a disappointing 2024 season, Jackson is determined to bounce back and contribute to the Tigers' offense. His size and power make him a valuable asset in short-yardage situations.
A Diversified Attack
The presence of Durham, Berry, and Jackson allows LSU to diversify its rushing attack, presenting opposing defenses with a variety of challenges. Jackson's physical style complements the speed and elusiveness of Durham and Berry, creating a more dynamic and unpredictable ground game.
The Coaching Factor: Alex Atkins and the Run Game Revival
LSU's struggles in the running game were evident, ranking last in the SEC in attempts and yards. In response, Brian Kelly brought in former Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins as the Tigers' new tight ends coach and run game coordinator.
A New Approach
With Atkins working alongside Brad Davis and Joe Sloan, expectations are high for a revitalized ground game. Atkins' expertise in run game coordination is expected to bring a more cohesive and effective approach to LSU's rushing attack.
The Transfer Portal Landscape
With the transfer portal window open, LSU faces potential roster changes. Running backs Kaleb Jackson, Ju’Juan Johnson, and Malachi Lane are considering leaving the Tigers, which could further impact the depth and composition of the backfield.
Read also: A Prequel's Party Problems
Potential Additions
New LSU coach Lane Kiffin may have the opportunity to add Ole Miss sophomore running back Kewan Lacy via the portal, reuniting him with his former coaches. Such a move could bolster LSU's running back depth and provide another dynamic option in the backfield.
The 2025 Season and Beyond
The LSU running back situation is a complex mix of established talent, promising newcomers, and potential roster changes. The emergence of Harlem Berry, the continued development of Caden Durham, and the potential contributions of Kaleb Jackson create a dynamic and competitive environment.
Youth Will Be Served
Caden Durham is poised to enter stardom after a solid freshman season. That track speed we heard so much about coming out of Duncanville definitely translates onto the football field, and if Durham has a crease he’s gone.
Jackson's Role
Jackson bowled over people in a way that I haven’t seen an LSU back do since Leonard Fournette and for whatever reason it just didn’t happen last season. Maybe Jackson got a little too big. Maybe the run blocking scheme was completely incompatible with Jackson’s skillset. Maybe Durham is simply a better running back. Or maybe it’s a combination of all those things, but Jackson’s sophomore slump was maybe the single biggest disappointment among an individual player. But last fall is ancient history, and I’m confident in saying Jackson will have a role for this LSU team as, if nothing else, a short yardage back. Just look at the heights and weights of his contemporaries: he’s 40 pounds heavier than the incoming freshmen Harlem Berry and JT Lindsey, and he’s got 30 pounds on Durham. The best offenses in football are able to diversify and throw a whole bunch of different things at you, and Kaleb Jackson, quite literally, looks different than his fellow running backs. Maybe Jackson is the Lendale White to Caden Durham’s Reggie Bush. Or maybe he’s just a battering ram for LSU.
The Future is Bright
With Alex Atkins at the helm of the run game, LSU is poised to improve its rushing attack and become a more balanced and potent offense. The combination of talented running backs and improved coaching provides a foundation for success in 2025 and beyond.
tags: #LSU #freshman #running #back #recruiting
