Multiple LSU stars make ESPN’s list of top 100 college football players for 2025
By David Wasson
Published:
Although the LSU Tigers fell well short of College Football Playoff expectations in 2025, they still placed two players among the Southeastern Conference’s representatives on ESPN’s list of the top 100 college football players for 2025.
Tigers senior safety A.J. Haulcy checked in at No. 60 on ESPN’s list. Haulcy was a transfer portal success story – coming to Baton Rouge after stints at New Mexico and Houston. He recorded 89 total tackles, three interceptions and four pass-breakups – despite having nagging injuries move him into playing linebacker toward the end of the season.
Even higher on ESPN’s Top 100 list was senior defensive back Mansoor Delane at No. 27. Delane was also a transfer portal success, coming to LSU from Virginia Tech to record two interceptions, 11 pass-breakups and four forced fumbles. Delane alternated from cornerback to safety throughout the 2025 season and allowed only 10 completions for 119 yards and no touchdowns.
LSU went 7-6 in 2025, with midseason losses to Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Alabama helping fuel coach Brian Kelly’s firing. The Tigers lost 38-35 to Houston in the Texas Bowl, but lured coach Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss in a controversial courtship that continues to create headlines.
Kiffin’s LSU team opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 at home against Clemson and plays Kiffin’s former team, Ole Miss, in its SEC opener in Oxford on Sept. 19.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
