Notes from Brian Kelly’s Press Conference Monday August 4th, 2025
- Shane Johnson
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
Baton Rouge, LA – Brian Kelly met with the media today and gave a rundown of where things stand as LSU dives into fall camp. From player updates to intense competition and a nod to his coaching staff, Kelly painted a picture of a team that’s hungry, focused, and ready to take things up a notch.
Player Updates
Kelly kicked things off with good news about wide receiver Aaron Anderson, who’s been sidelined with knee inflammation. “He’s close to getting back out there,” Kelly said, explaining that Anderson’s working through agility drills before hitting the field again. Another player BK talked about is Ju’Juan Johnson, who’s been all over the place—lining up at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back. The staff’s being strategic about his snaps, aiming to get him in four games, maybe five, depending on how things go.
On defense, Harold Perkins is looking like a star at linebacker. “He’s so comfortable out there now, really getting the finer points of the game,” Kelly said, praising his focus and growth. Bernard Gooden (USF transfer) also got some love for his relentless energy and knack for shedding blocks, which fits perfectly with LSU’s defensive scheme. Over in the kicking game, Aeron Burrell and Damian Ramos are stepping up, showing stronger legs and more consistency.
The running back group is starting to take shape. Kelly confirmed Caden (Durham) and Kaleb (Jackson) are healthy, with Kaleb having a standout camp so far. He’s also excited about youngsters (J.T.) Lindsay and (Harlem) Barry, who are poised to make an impact. At left guard, it’s a full-on battle, with Paul (Mubenga) , DJ (Chester), Coen Echols, and Josh Thompson all vying for the starting spot.
Team Energy
Kelly couldn’t stop talking about the intensity he’s seeing, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. “We’re cranking up the heat in practice to get ready for game day,” he said, crediting the fierce competition for pushing everyone to level up. He also gave a shoutout to new assistant coach Alex Atkins, whose veteran presence has been a game-changer for the run game and the program overall.
The coaching staff, including second-year guys Blake Baker and Joe Sloan, is hitting its stride. “They know the players, the expectations, and they’re just more comfortable,” Kelly said. The focus on defense is all about creating takeaways and forcing turnovers, with guys like Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech transfer) and Ashton Stamps bringing a spark that’s got everyone buying into the system and raising their game.
Practice Plans
Kelly shared that the team’s about to ramp things up, with tackling starting soon and a full scrimmage set for Saturday. Practices will mix full-contact work with situational drills to keep the team sharp and ready for anything.
With camp in full swing, Kelly’s excitement was contagious. It’s clear this LSU squad is locked in and ready to make some noise.
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