LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly isn’t satisfied with back-to-back 10-win seasons, and one player who could help take the team to the next level is junior linebacker Harold Perkins. What did Kelly have to say about his star defender at SEC Media Days?
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly Talks Star LB Harold Perkins Jr. at SEC Media Days
Kelly overhauled the defensive coaching staff this offseason, bringing in Missouri’s Blake Baker to call the shots. Baker turned one of the worst defenses in the nation (the Tigers ranked 113th among FBS programs in 2021) into one of the best last season (25th) and plans to do the same in Baton Rouge.
One chess piece that will make his job easier is back-to-back All-SEC LB Perkins. He hit the ground running as a five-star true freshman, posting 147 tackles, 26 TFLs, 13 sacks, seven forced fumbles, two INTs, and seven PBUs in two seasons.
MORE: 2024 LSU Tigers Depth Chart
While Perkins’ raw numbers are exceptional, he struggled at times last season. He opened the year at inside LB but was quickly moved to SAM after Florida State exploited his smaller frame in the box. However, Kelly said he is up to over 220 pounds and spent the spring working at the WILL position.
Where Perkins will play has been one of the Tigers’ defining questions this offseason, but neither Kelly nor Perkins are worried.
“His versatility will be important to what we do on defense,” Kelly said at Media Days. “You can’t play inside linebacker at 210 pounds. Well, you say you can, but you can’t because you just can’t hold up inside. He is now physically able to play inside out and still is twitchy off the edge; he can still cover if he needs to cover. He’s made himself into the player he needed to be, and it’s gonna be fun to watch him.
“He’s an every-down linebacker who can play sideline-to-sideline.”
Baker plans on deploying Perkins at inside backer again this season, but that added muscle mass will allow him to take on blocks and make a bigger impact against the run. Yet, physical tools only take a player so far, so the third-year defender has spent time working on the mental aspect of his game this offseason.
“I’ve been watching a lot of film. I’m not just going out there and playing.”
KEEP READING: 2024 SEC Power Rankings
Perkins lauded Baker’s “aggressive” style and is excited to unleash his full potential for the Tigers in 2024. And when asked about where he’ll play in the NFL, he answered the only way he now: confidently.
“I’m a ball player; I can play anything — from running back to quarterback, receiver, linebacker, d-line, whatever.”
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!