LSU’s defense is going to be a major question in 2024.
After turning in one of the SEC’s worst units in 2023, LSU made a change. Defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] was replaced with [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag], who did yeoman’s work at Missouri but now inherits a Tigers defense that lost several starters and will be relying on young players developing and a handful of transfers.
However, that defense may have at least one potential superstar in linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] After a huge true freshman season in which he was mostly used as a pass rusher off the edge, Perkins moved off the ball last season to middling results.
He remains in that spot in 2024, though his role will change a bit in the new system. Only time will tell how he adjusts, but one thing is certain: He has put in the work this offseason.
Speaking at SEC Media Days on Monday, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said that Perkins has gotten quite a bit bigger and now weighs over 220 pounds. Kelly said that’s a necessity if he’s going to stay off the ball.
It’s my understanding Harold Perkins has taken his off-season more seriously than ever, now weighing over 220 pounds according to head coach Brian Kelly. “You can’t play inside linebacker at 210 pounds.” Kelly adds. #LSU @LSUfootball pic.twitter.com/3FSDAK0Miu
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) July 15, 2024
Perkins was also in attendance at the event in Dallas and offered some more specificity about his transformation. He said he now weighs 225 pounds after playing last season at 217.
He is the subject of quite a bit of offseason hype and is seen as a likely early first-round pick. It’s certainly easy to see that potential with the former five-star talent, but Perkins needs to put together a much more complete season this fall.
It seems he’s done the requisite work in the offseason.
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