ESPN’s Kiper releases newest Big Board

ESPN’s Mel Kiper posted his newest NFL Draft Big Board on Thursday, and LSU was well represented.

Kiper’s Big Board is a ranking of the draft’s best players regardless of position or where he expects them to be drafted. Colorado wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter topped his 25-player list.

Will Campbell, LSU’s junior left tackle, ranked No. 17 on the list.  Kiper praised Campbell’s frame, footwork and technique in pass protection where he’s been tough on opposing edge rushers for two and a half years.

Campbell was the only Tiger listed in the Top 25, but five other draftable players made Kiper’s positional Top 10 lists.

Junior right tackle Emery Jones was ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle, joining Campbell (No. 2). LSU has not produced a first-round offensive lineman since Alan Fanaca in 1998. Campbell and Jones could change that.

Junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier made the list of Top 10 signal callers, ranking No. 8. Nussmeier leads the country in completions and has thrown 13 touchdown passes in four games.

Mason Taylor became LSU’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards as a tight end this month. Kiper tabbed him the no. 5 tight end in this draft class. Taylor’s father, Jason, was a third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins and went on to have a Hall of Fame career.

Defensively, a pair of Tigers made the list.

Harold Perkins, who will miss the rest of his junior season with a torn ACL, was ranked the No. 6 off-ball linebacker in the class. Bradyn Swinson, fresh off of back-to-back SEC player of the week honors, came in as the No. 8 outside linebacker.

The 2025 NFL Draft will begin Thursday April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.