Tag: Harold Perkins

LSU’s Harold Perkins is set for a breakout year at inside linebacker in 2024

LSU’s Harold Perkins is set for a breakout year at inside linebacker this fall.

Brian Kelly made headlines earlier this week when he told The Advocate that [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] is gearing up to play inside linebacker in 2024.

Perkins’ usage was a point of contention last year. He excelled as a pass rusher in 2022, so fans and analysts questioned LSU’s decision to take him away from the edge. The staff tried a few different things, with Perkins eventually settling into a role at SAM linebacker.

The production wasn’t there. Perkins led the SEC in pass rush grade in 2022 and posted a pressure rate above 25%. In 2023, Perkins fell to 37th in pass rush grade with his pressure rate falling to 14%.

It’s fair to say LSU failed to make the most of Perkins in 2022. That was likely a key factor in Kelly firing defensive coordinator [autotag]Matt House[/autotag].

Kelly told On3’s JD Pickell that they didn’t maximize Perkins last year. Kelly added that Perkins needs to play better and the coaches need to do a better job at getting him involved.

“Everyone that watched last year would say that’s a guy that needs to play at a higher level, and that starts with coaching, and that starts with Harold really working at a higher level this offseason,” Kelly said.

So when news broke of the plans for Perkins in 2024, there were some groans on social media. But this time, it makes sense.

One factor contributing to the decision could just be that LSU has a coach it trusts to develop Perkins now.

New defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] has a proven track record of developing linebackers. At LSU in 2021, he turned [autotag]Damone Clark[/autotag] and [autotag]Micah Baskerville[/autotag] into some of the SEC’s best. He did at Missouri too, with his defenses featuring some of the best linebacker units in the conference the last two years.

From a scheme standpoint, it makes sense too. You can’t have Perkins in a position to be coming off the field on LSU’s most important downs.

Perkins can’t play the edge every play. He doesn’t have the size for it and hasn’t shown he can consistently defend the run on the outside. When it’s not an obvious passing situation, offenses have shown a willingness to run right at him.

Now when it’s second and long, or third and long, it’s fine to put Perkins out there and just tell him, “Go get the quarterback.”

I think we’ll still see plenty of that this fall, but it fails Perkins and the defense to have him do that on a full-time basis.

LSU needs the help at inside linebacker, too. The Tigers could be fine at edge with [autotag]Dashawn Womack[/autotag] and [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] potentially gearing up for breakout years of their own, but inside linebacker remains a question mark, with less depth and less experience.

If Perkins can figure it out there, he remains the best athlete on the field at a spot where LSU needs it. This is the best way to optimize LSU’s personnel. You’re also putting him in a better position to help defend the pass over the middle of the field, something LSU’s secondary struggled to do last year, but looked better when getting help from Perkins.

Even with the staff overhaul, LSU’s defense is facing an uphill battle in 2024. There are major questions at cornerback and defensive tackle and some of those concerns will remain heading into the season. Having a defensive star like Perkins can help mitigate those issues, but it’s key that LSU gets the most from him this fall.

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How can LSU fix its defense in 2024?

Harold Perkins is the key to a successful defense, but the defensive line has to step up as well.

[autotag]Matt House[/autotag] orchestrated one of the worst LSU defenses in 2023.

The Tigers had some good athletes on that side of the ball, but there were times when watching the defense was like agony. Don’t fret, because there is hope on the horizon. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

[autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] is back on campus in Baton Rouge after being the defensive coordinator for Missouri the last two seasons.

[autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] is about to be one of the most dangerous men on the planet in Baker’s defense. [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] is also in a great position to be successful.

On3’s Jesse Simonton recently discussed what LSU will need to do to fix the defense next fall.

“I think the key is are they going to unleash Harold Perkins and can they get better production out of these blue-chippers that they have on the defensive line?” Simonton said. “Because those guys just have not delivered the results.”

Perkins is the key to a successful defense, but the defensive line has to step up as well. With [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] declaring for the NFL draft, LSU now has two returning defensive linemen from last year’s team as well as the recruits in the 2024 recruiting class.

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Instant Analysis: LSU overcomes early deficit to beat Wisconsin in Garrett Nussmeier’s first start

Garrett Nussmeier threw for nearly 400 yards as the Tigers held on to win a ReliaQuest Bowl shootout.

LSU found itself in an early hole against the Wisconsin Badgers in the ReliaQuest Bowl, but after a comeback effort, the Tigers survived to win a 35-31 shootout in Garrett Nussmeier’s first start in an LSU uniform.

The defense was the Achilles heel all season, and it was a rough start on Monday for that unit. The Badgers scored two first-quarter touchdowns to jump out to a 14-0 lead, and LSU gave up 146 yards in the first quarter while its first three drives stalled out.

The Tigers managed to erase that deficit before half, however, with an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a handoff to linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] at the goal line. Nussmeier would lead another scoring drive as [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] found the end zone to tie the game with less than 90 seconds to play in the second quarter.

They couldn’t hold that tie, however, allowing a quick go-ahead touchdown drive, and a Nussmeier interception on the ensuing drive gave them a chance to add to the lead, which — fortunately for the Tigers — they were not able to do as the Badgers took a 21-14 lead to the locker room.

LSU gave up a touchdown drive to kick off the third quarter, but the offense responded as Nussmeier found [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] with a 38-yard touchdown pass to give Thomas his 16th score of the year.

After another impressive throw to the corner of the end zone to [autotag]Chris Hilton Jr.[/autotag], the Tigers tied the game at 28.

The Badgers retook the lead with a field goal, but with the quarter winding down, Nussmeier made a couple of big connections to lead the Tigers 98 yards down the field in three minutes to score a go-ahead touchdown with 3:08 to play.

Wisconsin managed to drive all the way down to the LSU 19, but the drive stalled and the offense went backward as the Tigers earned a game-sealing stop on 4th and 25.

Nussmeier had a bit of a slow start, but he settled in very nicely to finish with 395 passing yards and three touchdowns on 31 of 45 passing. His favorite target was [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], who had eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

[autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] made the start and set LSU’s career receiving yards record, but he would sit the rest of the game after achieving the record.

Nussmeier gave the Tigers a glimpse at what the future could hold on offense, and it’s bright even with Daniels, Nabers and Thomas heading off to the NFL.

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LSU signs one of the top 10 linebackers for 2024 according to On3

One of the best linebackers in Louisiana, Tylen Singleton, signed with LSU.

On3 has released a list of the top 10 linebackers in the 2024 recruiting class and the schools that they signed to. LSU signed one of those players.

One of the best linebackers in Louisiana, [autotag]Tylen Singleton[/autotag], signed with LSU and is the No. 10 player on On3’s list. Singleton, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound, four-star linebacker from Many, Louisiana, played his senior season for Many High School. He helped lead the Many Tigers to the state quarterfinals in Louisiana’s Division III Non-Select playoffs.

Singleton was ranked as high as the No. 9 linebacker in his class by Rivals and he was ranked as a top-five player from Louisiana on 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals.

He will come to LSU with a chance to shine beside fellow linebackers like [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag]. The Tigers boast a really strong linebacking core that does a great job in coverage and at rushing the passer when they need to.

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Nick Saban praises Harold Perkins

Harold Perkins had one of his best games against Alabama last year.

[autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] burst onto the college football scene as a true freshman last year. He proved to be a menace when it came to rushing the quarterback on third downs.

Going into this season, Perkins was given a bigger role in the defense as he not only rushes the passer on third downs, he also drops back in coverage sometimes and that has allowed him to come up with a big interception against Missouri this year.

Perkins had one of his best games against Alabama last year as he finished with eight tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. Nick Saban talked about Perkins as the Tide prepared for the game this week.

“I don’t think you can simulate (what Perkins does),” Saban said, per On3. “Players gotta watch the film. If we had somebody that could play like him, they’d be playing. They wouldn’t be on scout team. So we do the best we can and I think our guys do a really good side on both sides of the ball trying to give a good look to the defensive players. But it’s hard to simulate. It’s hard to be that deep on your team and be able to simulate.”

The Tigers will be depending on Perkins to have a great game in a hostile environment on Saturday night.

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Five stats that defined LSU’s win over Auburn

From Omar Speights’ strong return to John Emery’s breakout, here are five stats that defined LSU’s win over Auburn.

After moving to 5-2 on Saturday night, LSU’s past the midway point.

Only a game against Army followed by the bye week awaits before the much-anticipated showdown in Tuscaloosa.

The 48-18 win over Auburn was much needed. You got the sense being in shootout after shootout was weighing on this team, but LSU controlled the game on Saturday from start to finish.

The defense seized on a struggling Auburn offense and gave its best performance since Week 3. You don’t want to read too much into it given the opponent, but the unit is starting to figure some things out, especially with [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag].

But we’re here to talk about the numbers. Let’s take a look at five stats that defined LSU’s win over Auburn.

Brian Kelly discusses what changed for the LSU defense this week

LSU’s defense put together its best performance of the season since the Tigers played against Mississippi State.

LSU’s defense put together its best performance of the season since the Tigers played against Mississippi State.

LSU only gave up 18 points to Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers. The LSU defense held Auburn to less than 100 yards in three out of four quarters. It was a welcome sight after watching the secondary struggle for the past few weeks.

LSU still controls its own destiny. It still has a good chance to win the SEC West and could even have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff. The Tigers will need some help, for sure, but it can be done.

Here is what [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] had to say about his defense after the game.

“Well, it starts with each player now understands the whole structure of the defense, as I’ve said to many people that have been at these press conferences, we were searching for the right defensive structure, we were moving [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] all around, we were in three-down, we were in some four-down, we’ve committed to four down with Harold at the SAM backer position,” Kelly said. “So everybody now is comfortable in knowing what their assignments are. When you can get your cleats in the ground and play defense, run, hit and get excited. I know those sound like cliches, but that really helps with the confidence of the group. And then I think we’re playing the ball better in the air on the back end.”

LSU will welcome Army into Death Valley this weekend.

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Auburn game provides LSU’s defense a chance to step up

LSU’s next two opponents give the defense a chance to figure it out.

The first six weeks did not go according to plan for the LSU defense.

In ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s original SP+ projections, LSU’s defense ranked 10th. After Week 6, the unit is all the way down to 76th.

LSU’s allowing 3.21 points per drive, which ranks 123rd in the country. No Power Five team is allowing 20-yard plays at a higher rate.

Whatever way you want to paint it, it’s not a pretty picture. With two losses, LSU is likely out of the playoff picture, but a New Year’s Six appearance is still in play if the defense can figure it out.

There were some positive signs against Missouri. For the first time since week three, LSU prevented an opponent from gaining over 50% of available yards. LSU still allowed three points per drive, but that was also its best mark since week three.

LSU’s defensive stars stepped up and made big plays too. [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] finally looked comfortable in coverage, coming up with a pivotal interception. [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] began to emerge too, leading [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to say that was the best game he’d seen Smith play.

Now, Auburn comes to town — a team whose offensive issues mirror those of the LSU defense. Auburn ranks 94th in points per drive thanks to a passing game that’s struggled to get anything rolling.

Auburn ranks 129th in yards per pass, 122nd in completion percentage, and 126th in sack rate. The situation is bleak.

That begs the question: If the LSU defense doesn’t turn it around now, then when?

The next few weeks provide this unit a chance to get right. After Auburn, LSU faces Army before heading into the pre-Alabama bye week.

Auburn doesn’t have the same talent at receiver LSU saw with Ole Miss and Missouri. There’s no Tre Harris or Luther Burden here. That should come as good news for an LSU secondary that’s struggled to contain anything the last few weeks.

But facing a struggling offense has been no indicator of success for LSU this year. Facing Grambling in Week 2, an FCS opponent, the Tiger’s secondary still managed to lose some matchups.

They followed it up with a shutdown performance against Mississippi State but failed to build on it, allowing 34 points to Arkansas the next week. That Arkansas offense ranks dead last in the SEC in yards per play.

LSU can’t allow itself to be the reason the Auburn offense gets rolling. Nobody is demanding a shutout, but it’s time to see some progress. The final moments of the Missouri game that saw LSU force turnovers on the last two drives offer hope.

Despite what we’ve seen this first month and a half, [autotag]Matt House[/autotag] is a smart defensive coordinator and there’s talent in this room. For one reason or another, it hasn’t looked like that. But we saw it last year.

Something they try is going to work, but it needs to work now. LSU has some room for error against these next two opponents. But once that Alabama game rolls around, the margins will be slim. It’s time to figure it out.

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LSU draws top 10 TV ratings in Week 6 win over Missouri

LSU hit the road last weekend for a matchup with the 5-0 Missouri Tigers at 11 a.m., and the game was a barnburner.

LSU hit the road last weekend for a matchup with the 5-0 Missouri Tigers at 11 a.m. CT, and the game was a barnburner.

The LSU defense struggled in the first half of the game stopping Brady Cook and Missouri’s offense until [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] made a huge interception with five minutes left in the second quarter.

In the second half, [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and the LSU offense made an incredible comeback as the Tigers wound up winning the game 49-39. When LSU needed a big play the most at the end of the game, Major Burns got a pick-six to seal the win.

Sports Media Watch released the ratings for the top 10 games in Week 6 and the LSU vs. Missouri game finished as the No. 9 game of the week. The matchup had 2.34 million viewers on ESPN. That is huge, especially for an 11 a.m. game that was competing with Texas vs. Oklahoma and Maryland vs. Ohio State.

LSU will probably get some more great ratings this week as they take on the Auburn Tigers.

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Brian Kelly discusses Harold Perkins’ big interception in Missouri win

Harold Perkins made one of his biggest plays of the season when the Tigers’ defense needed it the most.

[autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] made one of his biggest plays of the season when the Tigers’ defense needed it the most.

Missouri’s offense was able to do whatever they wanted against the LSU defense for most of the first half. Both teams traded blows before Missouri got off to a 22-10 lead. With five minutes left before halftime, the LSU defense needed a stop in the worst way and Perkins made a huge play.

Perkins dropped into coverage and picked off a Missouri pass to give LSU the ball back right before halftime. It was a play that LSU had not yet run this season but it worked to perfection.

Brian Kelly was asked his thoughts on the interception after the game.

Yeah, we were in some new coverages they hadn’t seen before,” he said. “We hadn’t done that with Harold before where he showed like he was blitzing and then he came out and he ran trail coverage against a wide receiver. We just feel like with him now we’ve established him as a SAM linebacker/nickel that we can do some creative things with him where he can be coming off the edge, or he can turn and run and carry vertical seams like he did.

“And it’s been taking us a while to really get his role defined and it’s caused us some pain in the sense of the structure of our defense, I think we’ve now established where he can best fit. And then it really, really allows us to be consistent with how we set our front and really establish the techniques that we want to run.”

Perkins can really do it all for the LSU defense. He can rush the passer, stuff the run at linebacker, and defend like a cornerback.

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