If LSU had one obvious weakness heading into the heart of the offseason, it was unquestionably the secondary. That concern may now be answered with the commitment of former Houston safety A.J. Haulcy, a move that could be pivotal—not just for the roster, but potentially for Brian Kelly’s future in Baton Rouge.
Let’s be honest: Kelly’s tenure at LSU has been a mixed bag so far. Despite high expectations, solid recruiting, and moments of success, the criticism has been loud when the Tigers have stumbled. While Kelly has built around Garrett Nussmeier and added important transfers this offseason, there remained a glaring question mark in the defensive backfield.
Enter A.J. Haulcy—a seasoned playmaker with 259 total tackles, seven interceptions, and 15 pass breakups across three collegiate seasons at New Mexico and Houston. Last year alone, Haulcy posted five interceptions and over 70 tackles, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors despite quarterbacks often avoiding his side of the field. Simply put, he was one of the top defenders available in the spring transfer portal.
Brian Kelly has the Tigers positioned for a serious SEC run
LSU’s 2025 season kicks off with fireworks: a high-stakes, top-10 showdown against Clemson. Win that, and the Tigers could launch into national contention right out of the gate. Lose, and while the pressure tightens, the season won’t be lost—at least not until the SEC gauntlet begins.
The road ahead isn’t easy. Florida, Ole Miss (away), South Carolina, Texas A&M, and brutal road trips to Alabama and Oklahoma all await.
So what’s realistic? If the offense clicks, the defense gels, and the Tigers steal a couple of key road wins, a 10-2 record is absolutely within reach. That puts LSU firmly in the SEC title picture and possibly in the College Football Playoff race.
But the downside? A few stumbles could send them sliding to 7-5 or 8-4—a respectable record, but one that would undoubtedly turn up the heat on Kelly’s seat.
That’s why the addition of Haulcy is so much more than just roster depth. It’s a power move. It gives the Tigers a proven defensive anchor, adds credibility to the secondary, and shows that LSU is serious about contending in 2025.
Make no mistake—pressure is mounting in Baton Rouge. The fans feel it. Brian Kelly knows it. But with moves like this, LSU might have just changed the narrative going into a defining season.
