Tag: 2023 Preseason Watch Lists

Harold Perkins on Chuck Bednarik Award watch list

Harold Perkins enters his sophomore year with sky-high expectations.

LSU linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] continues to rack up the preseason accolades.

Perkins has now been named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to the nation’s top defensive player.

He had a breakout true freshman season in 2022, leading the Tigers in sacks and tackles for loss. He worked primarily as an edge rusher last fall but has spent much of the offseason working as an off-ball linebacker, where he’s likely to start this fall.

A former five-star recruit and top-five prospect, Perkins was the biggest recruiting win in Kelly’s transition class. He could be set to become one of the nation’s best players as a sophomore.

Perkins has also been named to the preseason watch lists for the Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Walter Camp Award and Lombardi Trophy.

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2 Tigers named to Lombardi Trophy preseason watch list

Harold Perkins and Mekhi Wingo were nominated for the award for the nation’s top lineman.

LSU defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] have been named to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Trophy, which is given annually to the top lineman in college football.

Wingo had a breakout campaign in 2022 as a transfer from Missouri, starting in 13 games in place of the injured [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag]. He became an All-SEC player and will now comprise part of what could be one of college football’s best defensive fronts.

Perkins, meanwhile, saw most of his reps at the edge rushing the passer last season, but that’s set to change. He’s mostly worked off the ball at inside linebacker, and it’s unclear how much he will actually line up at the line of scrimmage this season.

Regardless, both players should be among the top defensive players in the SEC. Both were nominated for the Nagurski Trophy, and Wingo also appears on the watch list for the Outland Trophy. Perkins is on the watch lists for the Butkus, Walter Camp and Bednarik Awards.

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Jayden Daniels named to preseason Manning Award watch list

Jayden Daniels is expected to have a huge year for the Tigers.

The preseason accolades continue to rack up for LSU quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] ahead of what could be a huge final season as a college football player.

Daniels was named to the preseason watch list for the Manning Award on Tuesday, which is given annually to the most outstanding quarterback in the country. Daniels was also named to the preseason watch lists for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Awards.

A transfer addition from Arizona State last offseason, Daniels became one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks and turned in the most prolific rushing season for a QB in LSU history. Now, he’s expected to take another leap.

If he lives up to the lofty preseason expectations, LSU could have one of the most effective offenses in college football with a talented offensive line and a lot of weapons at the skill positions.

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Jayden Daniels, Harold Perkins named to Walter Camp Award watch list

LSU is anchored by a pair of talented players in 2023.

Entering the 2023 season, LSU appears to be anchored by a pair of budding superstars on each side of the ball in [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag].

Both were named to the preseason watch list for the Walter Camp Award — given annually to the national player of the year in college football — on Friday.

Daniels is entering his second year at LSU after transferring in from Arizona State. He had a huge first season as a starter, especially on the ground, and he’ll look to take another step forward as a passer this fall.

Perkins, meanwhile, was an impactful player as a talented but raw freshman edge rusher, and now his role has expanded as he’s working at inside linebacker and will likely play off the ball quite a bit.

These two players are key to LSU’s expectations for the season, which include repeating as champions of the SEC West and competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

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LSU’s Harold Perkins and Omar Speights named to Butkus Award watch list

LSU’s Harold Perkins and Omar Speights are projected to be among the best linebackers in the country.

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.

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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Noah Cain and Josh Williams named to Doak Walker Award watch list

A pair of LSU running backs were named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.

LSU running backs [autotag]Noah Cain[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] were named to the Doak Walker Award watchlist, the award annually given to the best running back in the country.

LSU’s running back room is crowded, but Cain and Williams have emerged as veteran leaders.

Cain, a Louisiana native who began his career at Penn State, transferred to LSU prior to 2022. Still working back from an injury, he saw his workload increase over the course of the year. He was LSU’s No. 1 back in spring practice as other running backs missed time.

Williams was a former walk-on who emerged as LSU’s most trusted rusher last year. He came up in big moments, picking up key first downs against Alabama and leading LSU’s offense at Arkansas.

With [autotag]Logan Diggs[/autotag] transferring in and [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag] rejoining the team, it’s anyone’s guess how the carries will shake out this fall. LSU will likely take a running back-by-committee approach.

But Cain and Williams both have the trust of the team and coaching staff. Expect to see a decent bit of both guys, especially early in the year.

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Jayden Daniels named to Davey O’Brien Award watch list

Jayden Daniels enters his final college season with a lot of expectations.

[autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] is expected to have a big year in his fifth and final season of college football this fall, and the LSU quarterback has now been named to the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award.

The Davey O’Brien Award is given annually to the top signal-caller in college football. Daniels looks to become the second LSU quarterback to win the award after [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] did so in 2019.

Daniels had a huge bounce-back season in 2022 as a transfer from Arizona State. He led LSU to a 10-win season, starting every game. He threw 17 touchdowns compared to just three interceptions and had the most prolific rushing season for a quarterback in Tigers history.

The preseason All-SEC selection enters the year with high expectations as he was also named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the top player in college football.

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LSU long snapper Slade Roy named to preseason Mannely Award watch list

Slade Roy served as LSU’s long snapper in all 14 games after transferring in from East Carolina last offseason.

LSU long snapper [autotag]Slade Roy[/autotag] has been named to the preseason watch list for the Patrick Mannely Award, which is given annually to the top long snapper in college football.

A starter at East Carolina in 2021, Roy joined the Tigers as a transfer last offseason. He started all 14 games in 2022, serving as the team’s primary snapper on both punts and placekicks.

Roy saw a total of 123 special teams snaps last fall, 50 on punts and 73 on placekicks. He also recorded four total tackles on the year in punt coverage.

A player who also excels in the classroom, Roy was named to the 2022 SEC Academic Honor Roll and was one of 10 Tigers who studied abroad in Senegal this summer.

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Mason Taylor named to Mackey Award watch list

Mason Taylor enters his sophomore year with high expectations after a record-setting freshman campaign.

LSU sophomore tight end [autotag]Mason Taylor[/autotag] has been named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, which is given annually to college football’s top tight end.

Taylor enters his sophomore year with huge expectations after a very productive true freshman campaign. He set LSU freshman records for receptions (38) and receiving yards (414) by a tight end.

His most memorable moment came when he caught the decisive two-point conversion against Alabama, and he ended the season on a high note, recording season-bests with six receptions against Georgia and 88 receiving yards against Purdue.

The tight end plays a crucial role in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s offense, and that allowed Taylor to emerge as a true freshman.

His production in 2023 may be limited by a group of talented pass-catchers, but he has the potential to be one of the most productive tight ends in the SEC, if not the entire country.

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Josh Williams named to Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list

Josh Williams is a former walk-on who has worked his way into becoming an SEC starting running back.

LSU running back [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] has been named to the preseason watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy.

The Trophy, which is named after former Florida Heisman-winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel, is the top award in college football for community service. LSU center [autotag]Rudy Niswanger[/autotag] won the first Wuerffel Trophy back in 2005.

Williams joined the team as a walk-on in 2019 and ultimately earned a scholarship during the 2021 season. He became LSU’s starting running back last fall, and though he battled injuries down the stretch, he led all Tigers backs with 532 yards in 2022.

A graduate student pursuing a master’s of business administration, Williams is a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection.

Williams is involved in a number of community service activities and is one of 11 Tigers who studied abroad in Senegal this offseason.

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