Class Crowns: Best player by class for in 2025

By Hunt Palmer

Expectations soared for LSU in August.

On the month’s final weekend, the Tigers took out Clemson on the road to catapult them higher. LSU was the talk of college football for a week. September brought a loss in Oxford, and the entire operation cratered in October. Ultimately 7-5 was the result.

As a team, LSU failed.

The goals were simply stated. A College Football Playoff run was the expectation, and the reality was nowhere near that. It triggered a coaching change, and the program is in new hands now. That result didn’t come without solid play from players throughout the roster. There wasn’t a ton to boast about on the offense, but the defense took a stride forward.

I took a shot at naming the season’s standouts by class.

FRESHMAN

Harlem Berry had a great second half of the season, but my answer here is DJ Pickett. The freshman had interceptions in the final two regular season games and really elevated his play throughout the year. In the first five weeks, his Pro Football Focus coverage grade was 55.3. That jumped to 68.8 in the final seven games.

For the season, teams were 15/31 (48%) throwing against him. He only allowed one touchdown, and it was the bust that gave Oklahoma the lead on Saturday. So, he was never beaten physically for a score. It was a mental error.

Plus, he was only flagged once on the season, a pass interference at Ole Miss on a ball he intercepted and ran back for a touchdown. However, the interference call was legitimate.

Pickett has freakish measurables and now has a season of weight training and experience under his belt. He feels like the next star cornerback at LSU.

DJ Pickett is a 6’5 true freshman CB at LSU and has allowed just a 39.1 passer rating this season pic.twitter.com/q2IvOoEVmd

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 28, 2025

SOPHOMORE

Tamarcus Cooley was option No. 2 here, but Trey’Dez Green gets the nod. Green didn’t have a perfect year. He had some crucial drops that have to be cleaned up. Pro Football Focus credited him with five, and they felt like they came at awful times. That said, it was the positives that were so promising.

Green showed his nightmarish matchup skills in the opener with Clemson. He scored a touchdown on the fade and drew a pass interference call in the end zone that set up LSU’s other score. He made a gorgeous catch in the north end zone against A&M for a touchdown.

Clemson put Avion Terrell on him. Touchdown. A&M Put Will Lee on him. Touchdown. Those are two of the best corners in the country.

For the season, he led LSU with 10 contested catches. His five touchdown catches were also a team high. I’m not sure Green is ever going to be a good run blocker, but his height and athleticism make him a brutal matchup for college defenders.

Trey’Dez Green bullying Will Lee III at the catch point 🤕 pic.twitter.com/v6GdWSRWvM

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) October 26, 2025

JUNIOR

Braelin Moore is the choice here.

The Virginia Tech transfer really did a great job on an offensive line that struggled start to finish both with injuries and level of play.

Moore graded an 80.4 in pass protection to lead the team. He was the second best run blocker just 0.1 behind Carius Curne who wasn’t a full-time player until midway through the season.

Moore battled through an ankle sprain early and had to miss the Oklahoma game with a foot injury. He proved to be a great addition for LSU, but the supporting cast around him struggled to match his level of play.

Ju’Juan Johnson’s big run. Braelin Moore creates space up front, then Johnson makes a play.

Maybe the ankle was an issue in recent weeks, but Moore looked like the player we saw in Week 1 pic.twitter.com/lA2nhi3tBq

— Will Rosenblatt (@rozenwill) October 15, 2025

SENIOR

The second Virginia Tech transfer is the clear choice from the senior class. Mansoor Delane was the best player on LSU roster in 2025.

After being a third team All-ACC defender a season ago, Delane blossomed under Corey Raymond and became the best cover corner in college football.

Delane graded a staggering 91.1 in coverage per PFF. He earned that by allowing just 13 catches on 35 targets (37%). He gave up just two first downs on 35 targets without a single penalty being called all season. Compare that to last season when he allowed 47% completion and seven touchdowns as a Hokie, and it’s easy to see Raymond’s influence on his.

Delane is a finalist for the Thorpe Award and should be a first round pick this spring.

#LSU CB Mansoor Delane continues to play like the best cover man (zone or man) in CFB. Easy NFL starter grade as a prospect.

3 PD, 1 INT vs. Arkansas pic.twitter.com/VpYuxx0hpf

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 17, 2025