The LSU defense hasn't lived up to expectations in recent seasons. In three seasons under Brian Kelly, the Tiger defensive unit has been a constant cause of frustration among Tiger fans.
2023 really stands out as a season of missed opportunity for the LSU defense. Jayden Daniels led the offense to a historic campaign en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. The Tigers led the country in yards per game with 543.5 and points per game with 45.5. Daniels completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. He also led the nation's quarterbacks with 1,1,134 rushing yards while totaling 10 rushing touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the defense had a historically poor season. Among SEC teams, only Vanderbilt allowed more total yards per game to its opponents than LSU's 416.3. The Tigers also ranked second-to-last in the SEC in passing yards allowed per game (255.6), rushing yards allowed per game (160.7), and points allowed per game (28.0).
Those results left Tiger fans feeling like Daniels' incredible campaign was wasted as the Tigers failed to qualify for the SEC Championship Game and College Football Playoff. The defense was slightly improved last season, but still fell far short of what it took to complete for a conference title.
Hunt: The issue hasn't been a lack of talent
Along with the disappointment of LSU fans, former players have expressed their displeasure with LSU's defensive performance in recent seasons. Former LSU safety Jack Hunt, a member of the 2003 National Championship team, recently spoke with WAFB-TV Sports Director Jacques Doucet and said that the defensive issues for LSU haven't stemmed from a lack of talent, but a lack of instincts.
"It felt like the last few years, we didn't even have guys that were very instinctual. It's not that they weren't talented enough. Their instincts were wrong."@LSUfootball 2003 national championship safety Jack Hunt hasn't been happy with #LSU defense over the last few years.… pic.twitter.com/hfLtQaEkkP
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) August 21, 2025
Hunt expressed frustration in watching members of the LSU secondary constantly be caught in the wrong position. "I don't think a lot of that is technique. Players have to have some natural instincts on where to be and what they're seeing," Hunt added.
A lot of LSU fans will probably agree with Hunt's assessment. Fans have watched the defense give up big play after big play and constantly fail to deliver timely stops. They are hoping things are different in 2025.
Can LSU's defensive transfers lead a defensive resurgence?
Generally speaking, there are far fewer questions on the offensive side of the ball than on the defensive side heading into LSU's season opener against Clemson on Aug. 30. In what will be a massive 2025 season, there's no doubt that the defense has to be better.
Brian Kelly is hoping that his transfer additions of CB Mansoor Delane, S A.J. Haulcy, DL Bernard Gooden, CB Ja'Keem Jackson, and S Tamarcus Cooley, among others, can bring better results in 2025. Five-star CB recruit DJ Pickett could also have an immediate impact as a true freshman this season.