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2022 saw the growth of a new defense at LSU with standouts like BJ Ojulari, Jay Ward, and others. But one player that people probably didn’t expect to have such an impact was the true freshman linebacker Harold Perkins.
Now, Perkins is considered one of the leaders of this group with Greg Penn III, and then Mekhi Wingo and Maason Smith up front like we discussed a few days ago.
It’s time to dive into the linebackers for the LSU Tigers.
Harold Perkins Jr
What a freshman season it was for Perkins in 2022. A first team All-SEC selection and a freshman All-American, Perkins had 72 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception for the Tigers.
Perkins is a natural ball hawk that will use his athletic ability to make plays. This season, Brian Kelly has mentioned moving Perkins to inside linebacker, so we’ll see how that changes his style of play if at all.
Greg Penn III
Penn was a leader of not only the linebacking corps, but the entire defense. He finished second on the team in tackles with 78, including 42 solo. Similarly to Perkins, he just has a nose for the football and finds a way to get stops. His leadership will be invaluable to the new faces in the locker room.
Omar Speights
Speights will be a critical part to the equation, even if he only plays for one year. He comes to Baton Rouge after transferring from Oregon State. While in Corvallis, Speights racked up 304 tackles, five sacks, and three interceptions in four seasons.
He’s 6’1”, 235 pounds and a strong, fast, and physical football player. He’ll make an early impact in the SEC as a fifth-year senior for a defense who lost guys like Micah Baskerville last year.
West Weeks
West arrived in Baton Rouge in 2022 after transferring from Virginia. In his sophomore season, he played 14 games for the Tigers, getting 28 tackles on the season as a rotational player.
He’ll still be in the rotation in 2023, but I think he carves a bigger role because of his level of comfort and familiarity to the defense now that he has a full season under his belt with Matt House.
Others to Watch
The other Weeks brother, Whit, is in the LSU locker room after signing this past spring as a four-star prospect.
Christian Brathwaite is another four-star freshman with tons of talent coming into the system. One of these two guys will look to step up and make an impact in a room that heads in 2023 lacking depth.