Brian Kelly reveals what Texas Bowl win tells him about LSU moving forward

Brian Kelly believes LSU’s 13-point win over the Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl to end their season told him a ton about how 2025 will pan out for the Tigers.

While Kelly’s program fell short of their championship aspirations this past season, it still won nine games and capped its campaign off with a solid win while giving some younger players a chance behind the wheel against the Bears. That gives Kelly confidence moving forward that LSU can compete for a title in 2025.

“Well, I think we’ve already talked about some of them,” Kelly stated, regarding some players that we’re already on LSU’s roster that stepped up during the Texas Bowl, which can help the Tigers in 2025, via his postgame press conference. “We talked about (tight end) Trey’Dez Green. You know, how good you feel about that with, you know, a veteran player also coming in from the portal at that position. You feel really good there, right? You know, some of the guys that got pressed into starting roles. You know, Tyree Adams, with the left tackle position. That really bolsters what you’re thinking about, you know, from the offensive perspective.

“Defensively, playing all those freshmen. Whether it was Tylen Singleton, or you know, Dashawn Spears. Or Javien Toviano. You know, PJ [Woodland] played a lot, you know, at the corner position, when Zy [Alexander] didn’t play in the third or fourth quarter. So, there’s just so many guys now that have experience playing. Now add, you know, some additions that that have veteran experience, and that’s really why we wanted to wait and give these guys some experience, and now add them to the mix. Now you have a healthy roster, you have depth on your football team, going into the SEC.”

Alas, it’s evident Kelly was happy to close the book on the 2024 campaign with a win, but the Tigers will be looking for more in 2025. Still, he decided to take a shot at any cynics trying to disparage LSU’s 2024 season, believing it’ll help his program in the long run.

“It’s been really fun to coach this team,” Kelly added. “I know, you know, cynics would say it was disappointing. It wasn’t disappointing. It was a team that was less than perfect because of inexperience. A team that that gained experience. We still played with six true freshmen and a red shirt freshman most of the time on defense. And they kept battling. So, you know, to win nine games, and win three in a row at the end — just happy for our football team. 

“Again, you know, the nine guys that came back and finished what they started, and I have — look, I’m 100% behind the guys that didn’t play, for whatever the reasons are. They’re valid. But the nine that were here, I want to be able to trumpet them as well, because finishing what you start is important as well, so happy with the victory.”

Moving forward, Kelly will be expected to compete for championships at LSU, but a nine-win season capped off with a bowl win isn’t too shabby either. The standard is higher for the Tigers, though, and their coach knows that.