LSU enters 2023 with a loaded roster. This team is the preseason No. 5 team for a reason, and the Tigers are generating real College Football Playoff hype.
While there are certainly some new faces from recruiting and the transfer portal who will make a big impact this fall, especially on defense, coach Brian Kelly’s team also returns much of its core from last year’s 10-4, SEC West-winning campaign.
Three of those returning players were named preseason All-Americans by the Associated Press. Linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] is featured on the First Team, while receiver [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] appear on the Second Team.
AP Preseason All-America Teams
1st Team – @HP113k
2nd Team – @whyguard13 @WingoMekhi pic.twitter.com/cCJTsfZMa6— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 21, 2023
Perkins is coming off a huge freshman season in 2022. He appeared in every game, making eight starts and leading the team in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (7.5). Those marks also ranked second and third in the SEC, respectively.
He primarily worked off the edge last fall, but he’ll see more responsibility as he moves to an inside linebacker role this season.
Nabers, meanwhile, is coming off a 1,000-yard sophomore season, finishing second in the SEC in receiving yards and leading the league in receptions. He was quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag]’ top target last fall and should have a huge season if healthy in 2023.
Wingo was not even expected to make a major impact in 2022 as a transfer from Missouri, but he was thrust into the starting lineup after an injury to [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] on the first series of the season.
He ultimately earned All-SEC honors and will now be paired up with Smith as part of a talented interior to LSU’s defensive line.
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