LSU RB Caden Durham 'never considered the portal,' eyes 'big leap' in 2025

Caden Durham laughed and shook his head with visible dismissal of the notion postseason social media chatter raised this winter that he might test the transfer market.

“That was all internet. I never considered the portal. I’m locked in: LSU,” the rising sophomore running back said firmly, going on to show off his new tattoo on his left arm representing the program.

The moment was one of several highlights of Durham’s visit with “Locked On SEC” host Chris Gordy, himself an LSU alumnus, as the Tigers kick off spring practice.

While some outsiders around the country may have speculated late in 2024 what direction the budding star or the program may be heading, Durham predicted during the lengthy, exclusive interview both to take major steps forward in Baton Rouge in 2025.

The potential fifth-year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier could show major strides in his second season as a starter — reminiscent of Joe Burrow in 2019 and Jayden Daniels in 2023 — is a major offseason storyline for LSU.

Durham expressed his confidence in the Tigers’ passer doing exactly that and the impact Nussmeier’s progress will have on the team as a whole.

“Most definitely,” Durham said. “He’s the head honcho of this team. So I feel like as he goes, we go. So as he’s taking the big leap, we’re gonna take the big leap, and I know he’s gonna take the leap. He’s already giving that energy off. He’s taken leadership of the team, leading us in the right direction and he’s gonna lead us to where we need to be.”

But he was also quick to emphasize that, even with a nearly entirely new-look offensive line, LSU intends to move the ball effectively on the ground.

“Just know that we’re definitely gonna run the ball,” he told Gordy. “That’s 110%. We’re gonna run the ball. So, take that how you want to.”

Durham stepped into a veteran LSU backfield this fall and excelled in his opportunities, despite battling injuries, to ultimately lead the Tigers in all three major rushing categories with 140 carries for 753 yards and six touchdowns.

He said he arrived to Baton Rouge determined to earn early playing time and not intimidated by having to work his way up the depth chart after having had to do so at Texas powerhouse program Duncanville in high school. And he pointed to his personal focus and confidence in that goal paired with the guidance of running backs coach Frank Wilson III as critical factors in that success.

Asked about his biggest areas of pride in his freshman performance, Durham said, “I would say my toughness, being able to get hit, get back up and get ready to play another down or mess, get yelled at and get back to my move and be able to play the football that I know I’m able to play.”

But he expects to continue making a major leaps as well in his quest to win a Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back, whether this season or next — showing Gordy a picture of the trophy as his iPhone lock screen background — while helping reach team goals.

Notably, Durham expressed his excitement to fully participate in spring football for the first time in his career after being a lifelong multisport standout typically busy with track in the football offseason.

“So for me, it’s kind of different,” Durham said. “So right now I’m just working on my bench, really, my upper body, then just working on little tweaks and little stuff in football.”

More work on pass-protection is one area he sees a full offseason providing a major benefit as he continues to develop into a more well-rounded running back.

“Yes! Most definitely,” Durham said, almost cutting Gordy off with his enthusiasm to talk about the challenges in that area during the transition from high school to college. “That’s what I had to learn coming in — because of me coming in May, we were running routes and all that, then coming in in August, it’s like, ‘You’ve gotta learn how to block.’

“In high school, I blocked. But I wasn’t really blocking like (five-star Duncanville teammate) Colin Simmons or none of that. I was blocking some regular people. So come August, fall camp, coach, we’re going one-on-ones blocking for five minutes straight, I’m like, ‘This is crazy.’ Trying to block (Harold Perkins Jr.), Whit and West (Weeks), all them guys, it’s gonna build character for sure.”

On Today's @LockedOnSEC:

Our exclusive interview with LSU RB @CadenDurham29 who discusses raised expectations in 2025. Caden talks:
💎 Climbing up the depth chart his 1st season
💎 Coming from a talent-laden HS in Duncanville
💎 Impact of QB Garrett Nussmeier returning

Full… pic.twitter.com/OVTuitPNqw

— Chris Gordy (@ChrisGordy) March 11, 2025