Following LSU’s spring practice on Wednesday, head coach Brian Kelly had high praise for five-star freshman running back Harlem Berry.
LSU’s 2025 recruiting class, one of the best in the nation, featured two five-star talents: DJ Pickett and Harlem Berry. Berry, a Louisiana native, has already made a strong impression on the coaching staff in the early days of spring practice. As the top-ranked running back in the 2025 class, Berry is expected to make an immediate impact for the Tigers. He joins a running back room that includes standout players like Caden Durham and Kaleb Jackson, but his talent suggests he’ll carve out a significant role in the 2025 season.
During a post-practice interview on Wednesday—the first since LSU began full-contact drills this spring—Kelly was asked about Berry and whether fans can expect to see him on the field often this year. While Kelly noted it’s still early, he highlighted some of the promising signs Berry has shown in practice.
“I’m pleased with some of the little things you need to see from a running back,” Kelly said. “For example, we run a lot of inside run drills, and that requires hitting it up the middle and understanding that three or four yards is a good run. In high school, a touchdown was the bar for him. You don’t know how these guys will handle that change in mindset, but he clearly understands the position and that sometimes a three- or four-yard run is a really good run.”
Kelly elaborated on Berry’s growth, pointing out a specific play from Wednesday’s practice. “Today, for example, he had a chance to maybe bounce a run outside, which in high school might have been a touchdown. But he understood that at this level, the game is faster, and he made the right read by cramming it up inside for three or four yards. You don’t really coach those things—you either have a knack for them or you don’t—and those early indications are really positive.”
This early praise is a promising sign for Berry’s future at LSU. From the moment he arrived on campus, he has been one of the most talented running backs on the roster. While Caden Durham is expected to lead the group, Berry is likely to climb the depth chart and secure the RB2 spot, setting the stage for a standout freshman season.
Leave a Reply