LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. named to Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list

Harold Perkins Jr. could be one of college football’s top defenders in 2024.

LSU’s run of players on preseason award watch lists continued on Tuesday as linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] was announced a member of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.

The Nagurski Trophy is given annually to the top defender in college football, regardless of position. Perkins seeks to become the second LSU player to win the award after [autotag]Glenn Dorsey[/autotag] won it in 2007.

Perkins came on strong as a true freshman in 2022, and though is production diminished a bit when he moved off the ball in 2023, he still has 26 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in his two seasons in Baton Rouge.

He could see a new role this year, as well, as he’s reportedly moving to the weak side in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system. A former five-star recruit, many see Perkins as a likely first-round pick in 2025, and it’s easy to see the potential if he can put it all together on the field this season.

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