There are few terms that folks in sports media like to throw around more during the draft cycle than “generational.”
Many prospects — frequently, several in a generation — receive that kind of hype, and rarely do they live up to it. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on future players who have the potential to captivate during the draft process.
ESPN recently looked at all the major sports and broke down potential future generational prospects. Two LSU Tigers — football linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] and women’s basketball forward [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] — were included on the list.
Perkins is a former top-five prospect who dominated as a true freshman with the Tigers last fall, leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss. He won’t be eligible for the draft until 2025, giving him two full seasons to really hone his craft.
When he’s draft-eligible: 2025
Stat to know: He had 7.5 sacks, 73 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss … as a true freshman in 2022.
Pro comp: Micah Parsons
Why there is buzz: Any time a true freshman makes the type of impact that Perkins did in 2022, NFL scouts take notice. His 15.6% pressure rate ranked 17th in the FBS among players with at least 140 pass rush plays, and he created four turnovers (three forced fumbles and an interception).
Perkins is already proving himself as a do-it-all defender. His versatility and range in space stand out on tape. He needs to add weight to his 6-foot-2, 220-pound frame, but Perkins’ instincts as a pass-rusher and in coverage are some of the best the college world has seen in recent years.
Reese, meanwhile, has already become a household name in women’s basketball after leading the Tigers to their first national championship last spring. She wasn’t eligible for the 2023 WNBA draft, so she’ll return to try to repeat.
When Reese is ultimately eligible, though, it seems like a guarantee that either she or Iowa star Caitlin Clark will go first overall.
When she’s draft-eligible: 2024
Stat to know: She led Division I in double-doubles with 34 in 36 games and she was in the top five in scoring (23.0 PPG) and rebounding (15.4 RPG).
Pro comp: Nneka Ogwumike, NaLyssa Smith
Why there is buzz: Reese was the most coveted transfer after the 2021-22 season, and she and LSU ended up being mutually beneficial to each other. Reese was the 2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading the Tigers to the program’s first national championship. The NIL opportunities at LSU helped Reese build her brand so that by the time she was on the biggest stage at the Final Four, she was prepared to take full advantage of it. With her energetic game and off-court personality, Reese is definitely a visible athlete.
She will bring fans with her to the WNBA. That could be in 2024 or 2025 since Reese has an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver. The 2023-24 season will be a little different for Reese since so much additional talent is coming to LSU via transfers and recruits. But Reese also wants to show she can be a strong leader, and this season’s team will give her plenty of opportunity to do that.
There’s a long time between now and these players getting drafted, especially in Perkins’ case. Still, both of these players have been dominant in their respective sports, and it’s easy to see why they cracked ESPN’s list.
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