LSU head coach Brian Kelly has confirmed that Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore has secured the starting center position for the Tigers’ offensive line, as revealed during a press conference on August 4, 2025, following the first week of Fall Camp in Baton Rouge. With Week 2 underway, Kelly highlighted Moore’s emergence as the “go-to guy” at center, a critical development for a team replacing four NFL-bound starters from the 2024 season, including first-round pick Will Campbell. The announcement, reported by LSU Tigers On SI, underscores Moore’s rapid integration into a revamped offensive line ahead of LSU’s high-stakes season opener against No. 6 Clemson on August 30.[](https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/brian-kelly-reveals-lsu-football-transfer-offensive-lineman-locked-in-as-starter-01k1v774fp0a)
Moore, a 6-foot-3, 303-pound lineman, was a cornerstone of Virginia Tech’s offense, starting 25 games over three seasons and anchoring a rushing attack that amassed over 2,000 yards in 2024. His transfer to LSU in December 2024, as part of the nation’s No. 1 Transfer Portal class, addressed a glaring need after the departure of center DJ Chester, who started 13 games last season but has shifted to left guard. Kelly praised Moore’s consistency, noting, “Braelin Moore has established himself as the center,” while indicating ongoing competitions at guard among Chester, Paul Mubenga, Coen Echols, and Northwestern transfer Josh Thompson. Moore’s experience and physicality, with a PFF grade of 72.4 in run-blocking, make him a plug-and-play solution for LSU’s restructured line.[](https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/brian-kelly-reveals-lsu-football-transfer-offensive-lineman-locked-in-as-starter-01k1v774fp0a)[](https://www.si.com/college/lsu/recruiting/lsu-football-lands-commitment-from-coveted-transfer-offensive-lineman-01jg4p5wa3w5)
The Tigers’ offensive line, a point of concern after losing tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones, along with guards Garrett Dellinger and Miles Frazier, has been a focal point of Fall Camp. Kelly emphasized the need to evaluate the unit as a cohesive group, with the current first-team lineup featuring Tyree Adams at left tackle, Chester at left guard, Moore at center, Thompson at right guard, and Weston Davis at right tackle. This configuration, observed across the first five practices, aims to improve LSU’s run game, which struggled in 2024, ranking 11th in the SEC with 1,892 rushing yards. Moore’s role is pivotal, as his ability to anchor the line and call protections will support quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, a projected first-round pick.[](https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/brian-kelly-reveals-lsu-football-transfer-offensive-lineman-locked-in-as-starter-01k1v774fp0a)[](https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2025/07/30/lsu-football-practice-offensive-line-brian-kelly-dj-chester-braelin-moore/85433106007/)
As LSU prepares for a top-10 showdown at Clemson, Kelly’s confidence in Moore signals a strategic rebuild of the offensive line, bolstered by transfers like Thompson and emerging talents like five-star freshman Carius Curne. While the guard positions remain fluid, Moore’s locked-in status provides stability, with Kelly noting, “We’re putting the pieces together to find the best five.” With 18 transfers, including offensive weapons like Nic Anderson and Barion Brown, LSU’s revamped roster aims to surpass their 9-4 record and contend for a College Football Playoff spot. Moore’s early success in camp sets a promising tone for the Tigers’ ambitions in 2025.[](https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/brian-kelly-reveals-lsu-football-transfer-offensive-lineman-locked-in-as-starter-01k1v774fp0a)[](https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/brian-kelly-teases-the-idea-of-a-new-lsu-football-starter-along-the-offensive-line-01jsm2htsb23)[](https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/five-star-freshman-offensive-lineman-has-brian-kelly-s-attention-this-offseason-01jscbt8aaag)
