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Maason Smith
Smith was one of the most highly touted defensive linemen headed into the 2022 season after being named a freshman All-American. However, that was before he suffered a season-ending injury on the first drive of the season opener.
Now, Smith has been cleared to go in 2023 and will look to be one of the best interior pass rushers in college football. At 6’6″ and 315 pounds, the redshirt sophomore will wreak havoc up the middle for Matt House before he likely goes to the NFL Draft next spring.
Mekhi Wingo
Mekhi had a breakout season for LSU after transferring in from Missouri. Wingo was named a third-team All-American after 47 tackles and three sacks for LSU in 2022.
After losing BJ Ojulari, Wingo will be looked upon to be the leader of this group as well as Smith up the middle. Standing at 6’1″ and 295, he’s slightly undersized for the interior, but his speed and quick first step will make up for the size.
Sai’vion Jones Jr
Jones had a breakout season last year with 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Now, the junior from Vacherie will play a key role at the defensive end position for this LSU team.
Jones is strong, fast, and can make big-time plays. Plus, with his frame of 6’6″ and 280 pounds, it will be difficult for linemen to slow him down in his pursuit of the opponent in 2023.
Ovie Oghoufo
Oghoufo transferred to LSU back in January after playing the previous two seasons at Texas and the three before that with Brian Kelly at Notre Dame. He’s a 6’5″, 250-pound grad transfer defensive end that 13 career sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss in his career.
He has 45 games of collegiate experience with 20 starts, with 12 of those starts coming last season in Austin. He’s a powerful edge rusher that can do multiple things well for the Tigers defensively.
Others to Watch
Da’Shawn Womack is a guy that jumps off the page from the 2023 class. A five-star prospect and the third-best edge rusher in the country according to 247Sports, Womack will provide needed depth at the edge spot. Also, with more room to bulk up on his 6’4″ frame, LSU could use him on the interior if they felt that was a better fit.
Jacobian Guillory, Jordan Jefferson, Bryce Langston, and JC Kwasny are just a few of the other names to watch throughout fall camp and into the 2023 season as guys who could make an early impact for this LSU defense.