LSU could sign the most 5-stars this recruiting cycle

The LSU football staff’s approach to the 2025 recruiting cycle has seen the Tigers reel in 19 total commitments, including the No. 1 overall prospect in America in 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood.

LSU began the calendar year by taking over the No. 1 spot in the On3 Industry Rankings, and the Tigers have not fallen out of the Top 5 since. LSU currently has the No. 3 recruiting class in America, trailing only Ohio State and Alabama.

While the Tigers chase the No. 1 class in America, LSU is also in contention to sign the most 5-stars among all NCAA football programs.

As fall camps begin at colleges around the country, the Tigers have three 5-stars committed – the second-most among all NCAA teams. Ohio State leads the way with four 5-stars committed for the 2025 class.

In total, 21 of the 32 On3 Industry Ranking five-star prospects have already announced their college decisions. Those 21 recruits are spread amongst 10 programs.

Here’s a closer look at LSU’s trio of 5-star commitments as the Tigers continue to build on one of the best recruiting classes in the country.

The No. 1 overall prospect in the country is headed to LSU

QB Bryce Underwood
School: Belleville (Mich.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 1 NATL. (No. 1 QB)

How It Happened: LSU quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan circled Underwood as the program’s top target in the 2025 class, and the Tigers landed multiple visits ahead of his January reveal. Following a season when LSU had the No. 1 offense in college football and quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy, Underwood announced he was headed to Baton Rouge for college. Underwood could pass up Leonard Fournette as the highest-rated 5-star signee for the Tigers in the modern recruiting era.

Scouting Summary: “Premier arm talent who is one of the more gifted high school quarterback prospects in recent years. Combination of arm strength, pocket feel and processing ability makes him the top quarterback in the 2025 cycle. Owns a wide-shouldered frame, measuring in at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds with 10-inch hands at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Touts a big-time arm with the ability to drive the ball with velocity to all levels of the field. Has the ability to touch every area of the field with ease. Throws a very tight spiral that amplifies the velocity on the tail of his passes. Has shown advanced skill as a passer. Comfortable delivering over the middle of the field from within the pocket. Consistently sticks the ball on receivers against tight coverage. Shows the ability to layer passes with touch and high-level location, especially downfield. Demonstrates the best pocket presence in the cycle entering the senior season.

“A vertical mover in the pocket who navigates pressure at a level well beyond his years. Has rhythmic feet when operating within structure. Doubles as a run threat with the ability to make defenders miss in space. Arguably the most accomplished quarterback in the cycle, touting a 40-2 record as a starter with two state titles entering his senior season. Completed 65% of his passes for 3,329 yards (12.1 yards per attempt) and 41 touchdowns against 3 interceptions as a junior. Has longer arms and has a tendency to drop his elbow at times within his throwing motion. Team often raced out to big leads, allowing for fewer high-leverage and playmaking opportunities as a junior. Very young for the cycle with an August birthday and could technically be a 2026 prospect. Has considerable physical upside and room for continued growth.”

LSU lands On3’s No. 1 cornerback prospect

CB DJ Pickett
School: Zephyrhills (Fla.)
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 6 NATL. (No. 2 CB)

How It Happened: LSU led throughout the offseason for Pickett, who became priority No. 1 for LSU secondary coach Corey Raymond upon his return to Baton Rouge in January. As the dust settled on official visits made in June, Pickett revealed a decision date for July. While Oregon and Miami were suddenly grabbing national buzz, Raymond and LSU quietly held the lead from start to finish as Pickett picked the Tigers on decision day. For a team in need of immediate contributors at cornerback, there’s none better this cycle than Pickett.

Scouting Summary: “Dynamic, explosive two-way playmaker who looks like one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2025 cycle, with the highest upside coming as a cornerback. A big-time two-way player as a receiver and defensive back. Tall and long with a thinner build, measuring at 6-foot-4, 179 pounds at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. Has elite length for the position with 33 ⅝-inch arms. An extremely twitchy athlete who also excels in track and field. Turned in sensational marks in the 100 meters (10.62 seconds) and 200 meters (21.69 seconds) as a sophomore. A natural playmaker on Friday nights. Pairs his plus athleticism and easy movement skills with high level instincts and ball skills. Has elite range as a deep safety. Reads and jumps routes to make plays on the ball. Has fluid feet and is a loose mover, increasing optimism about the projection to corner.

“Looks to be the most physical top cornerback prospect in the 2025 cycle, flying downhill and delivering big hits on ball carriers. Doubles as a game-breaking receiver with the ability to take the top off of defenses and come down with acrobatic contested catches. Finished his junior season with 1,033 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns and one interception. Was ranked as a safety early on, but projects as a legitimate high-end cornerback prospect and is talented enough to be considered a blue-chip wide receiver. Will need to gain experience if he converts to corner, primarily having been a safety at the high school level. A bit older for the cycle, with a May birthday. Will need to continue adding good mass to his leaner frame once in college. Has significant upside as a potential early contributor and high NFL Draft pick.”

The best recruit in Louisiana – and best RB in America – stays home

RB Harlem Berry
School: Metairie (La.) St. Martin’s Episcopal
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 16 NATL. (No. 1 RB)

How It Happened: With Frank Wilson on staff, there was little doubt as to whether or not the Tigers were going to reel in a 5-star running back out of New Orleans. When Berry picked LSU on national television in January, it marked a week of celebration for the Tigers as fellow 5-star Bryce Underwood also got on board and LSU took over the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. And much like Underwood, Berry has not visited another college campus in a recruiting capacity since committing to the Tigers. Instead, he’s doubled down on his decision to chose LSU, adding that he’s bought into the LSU program’s development instead of using his recruiting process to chase the biggest NIL deals around the country. Berry is the highest-rated running back to come out of Louisiana since Leonard Fournette picked LSU a decade ago.

Scouting Summary: “The most electric running back in the 2025 cycle, with the ability to be a game-changer in the passing game. Possesses elite burst and effortless movement skills. Measured in at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds at the On3 Elite Series prior to his senior season. . Transfers his outstanding top end speed onto the field in a functional way. A threat to take it to the house on any touch. A light, springy mover who shifts gears and changes directions at full speed. Displays outstanding vision. Reads blocks and bursts through the line to the second level. The game moves slow for him at the prep level. Runs through contact and shows balance that belies his size. Showcased advanced pass catching skills during the summer prior to his senior season. Has the skill level to legitimately line up at receiver. A massive mismatch out of the backfield when covered by linebackers. Registers as a high end athlete with elite speed on the track and in the combine setting.

“Won state titles in the 100 and 200 meters as a sophomore with times of 10.57 seconds and 21.43 seconds, respectively. Highly productive over his high school career. Rushed for 2,080 yards and 37 touchdowns on 13.2 yards per carry as a junior. Has a smaller frame and will need to continue adding good mass in order to carry a substantial load at the next level. Ceiling as a true every down back will be determined by his ability to put on weight while maintaining his athleticism. Has a later birthday for the cycle, turning 17 years old in late May of his junior year.”