Head coach Jay Johnson referred to the 2025 Tigers as “the best defense in LSU history” during Friday’s preseason press conference. The Tigers’ outfield trio in 2025, left fielder Derek Curiel, center fielder Chris Stanfield and right fielder Jake Brown, committed just two errors in a combined 200 games played. Stanfield and Curiel will switch posts in 2026, with Stanfield now in left and Curiel patrolling center. Draft eligible in 2025, Stanfield had indicated to Johnson that he desired to turn pro after his junior season. “I learned a lot about [Curiel] and [Brown] I didn’t know last year.”“We’re all very close friends, we hang out a lot,” Curiel said.