Tag: LSU Linebackers

LSU State of the Program: Linebackers an intriguing group in 2023

Here’s how LSU’s linebacker room shakes out entering 2023.

Spring practice is underway at LSU.

The Tigers got a couple of sessions in before heading to spring break. When they return, the action will ramp up and eventually conclude with a final event in Tiger Stadium.

Throughout the spring, we’re taking a position-by-position look at the state of LSU’s program.

With just a couple of groups to go, we’re focusing on the linebackers today. This is one of the more intriguing spots on the roster given the star power of [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag]. However, there are some questions when it comes to depth.

Let’s jump right in, starting with the immediate future.

(Check out the previous posts in our State of the Program series on LSU’s quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, tight ends, offensive line and defensive line.)

LSU linebacker enters transfer portal

Sampah left the program for medical concerns last month, but he’s been cleared and will look for a new school.

LSU linebacker [autotag]Antoine Sampah[/autotag] has entered his name into the transfer portal.

During his freshman campaign in 2020, Sampah played in only four games. Sampah was injured for most of the 2021 season, but he made an appearance in two games. LSU announced last month that he was leaving the program due to medical concerns, but he has been cleared and will look to catch on with another team.

Coming out of high school, Sampah was a consensus four-star linebacker and the No. 3 player from the state of Virginia. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out on the Bayou for Sampah.

The Tigers start the season Sunday night against the Florida State Seminoles in New Orleans. For Sampah, it may be too late for him to find a team to play for this season, but he will have plenty of time to look for a new home between now and next season.

Hopefully, a fresh start will help him return back to four-star form.

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LSU linebacker corps set to stand out in 2022

LSU’s linebacker group was ranked third in the SEC by On3.

It’s not often that you lose the SEC’s leading tackler — and the nation’s second-leading tackler — and feel good about where your current linebacker group stands, but that’s a testament to LSU’s depth at the position.

Even with [autotag]Damone Clark[/autotag] moving on, the Tigers return a talented and experienced group headlined by [autotag]Mike Jones Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag] and [autotag]Micah Baskerville[/autotag]. Add in an exciting true freshman in five-star recruit [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag], and you have the makings of a very deep unit.

Despite the lack of general preseason hype surrounding this team, several of its position groups have received high praise from national publications. And in a recent ranking of SEC linebacker corps from On3’s Jesse Simonton, LSU came in third after Alabama and Georgia (unsurprisingly).

The Tigers are slightly inexperienced at linebacker after losing 135 tackles from Damone Clark last season, but their unit doesn’t lack upside or numbers. Senior Micah Baskerville is a solid starter inside, while Greg Penn III, Phillip Webb and 5-star freshman Harold Perkins Jr. were all top recruits who will push for snaps this fall. LSU’s LB room would be buoyed if former Clemson transfer Mike Jones Jr. can stay healthy and live up to his recruiting billing.

The Tigers have had some defensive woes over the last two seasons and will now be on their third defensive coordinator in as many years in Matt House. However, between what could be an elite defensive line, a secondary filled with experienced transfers and a deep linebacker group, this could be the season where LSU gets back to the hard-nosed defensive football the program is known for.

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