Few teams have a better linebacking duo than LSU’s [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Omar Speights[/autotag].
The two were recognized on Thursday as both earned a spot on the Butkus Award watch list. The Butkus Award is given annually to the best linebacker in college football.
It’s no surprise. Both Perkins and Speights are expected to be all-conference defenders.
Perkins exploded onto the scene last fall as a true freshman, making plays all over the field. He’ll remain versatile this fall but could see more consistent action at inside linebacker.
Speights was one of LSU’s most prized recruits from this transfer cycle after spending the first four years of his career at Oregon State. He led all Pac-12 linebackers in stops last year according to PFF and had the best run defense grade among Pac-12 LBs with 500 or more snaps.
The Butkus Award | Given Annually to the Top Linebackers in Football@HP113k and @omarspeights are on the preseason watch list pic.twitter.com/Rf1IaJjdG7
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) August 10, 2023
Speights will anchor LSU’s linebacking core as Perkins moves around in different packages. While they occupy different roles, LSU will be counting on both due to a lack of depth at inside linebacker.
Speights should only improve at LSU, where he’ll get the chance to play behind one of the best interior defensive line groups in the country.
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