Tag: Micah Baskerville

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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6 most surprising cuts from Bears’ 53-man roster

The Bears assembled their 53-man roster, cutting many players in the process. Here are the six most surprising cuts.

Week 1 of the regular season is just around the corner, and excitement is hitting a fever pitch. The Chicago Bears will face the loathsome Green Bay Packers to kick off the season, and fans are more than ready to turn the page on the preseason and get ready for a long year of Chicago football.

Before the festivities begin, however, the Bears had to make some tough decisions to whittle down the roster to the NFL’s mandated 53 players. While the vast majority of players Chicago waived didn’t make too many headlines, the team did make a couple of surprise cuts.

From standout rookies to shocking releases that continue to strangle an already weak position, here are the team’s six most surprising cuts.

10 Bears players to watch on Saturday vs. Colts

Here are 10 Bears players to keep an eye on when they take on the Indianapolis Colts this weekend.

Preseason game No. 2 is on deck for the Chicago Bears this weekend as they prepare to take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. This week’s squad will look a bit different than the one that took down the Tennessee Titans 23-17 last weekend, however.

According to head coach Matt Eberflus, quarterback Justin Fields and a few other select starters will not suit up,  The Bears coaching staff believes Fields and others put in plenty of work this week when they held two joint practices with the Colts at their facilities in Westfield, IN.

Even with some of the starters out, there are still many intriguing players worth watching as the Bears look to solidify their team. Many backups and reserves will receive more playing time as a result of Eberflus’ decision, which will help determine the back half of the roster as the regular season inches closer.

Here are 10 players we’ll be watching when the Bears and Colts kick off on Saturday evening at 6 pm CT.

Omar Speights brings versatility to LSU defense, Brian Kelly said

Omar Speights comes in with high expectations after he was a First Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2022.

LSU made a lot of transfer portal additions this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball. But it’s hard to imagine any of those additions will prove to be more impactful than linebacker [autotag]Omar Speights[/autotag].

Speights comes in as a veteran after developing into an All-Pac-12 player at Oregon State. He joins an LSU team that lost experienced linebackers [autotag]Micah Baskerville[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Jones Jr.[/autotag], and he’ll be paired with [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] in what should be a very strong inside linebacker duo.

Asked what Speights brings to the table, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] was quick to point out his versatility. Kelly said Speights is a rare linebacker talent who can excel in space while also bringing physicality into the box.

“Omar, his physicality and his ability to play in space are a unique combination,” Kelly said, per On3. “Generally, you have a linebacker that is really good in space but lacks some of the physicality in the box. He brings both of those, which is a trait that is very difficult to find in college football.

“You either have what is known as a box player, who’s a downhill run stuffer but sometimes struggles in space. He’s got both of those talents. And it allows us to move him around, expand, let him get out, and leave Harold in a consistent location. At the end of the day, if I’m on offense, I wanna get Harold out of the action and force him to cover down as much as possible. And Omar gives us that flexibility.

Despite all the new faces, this defense — and the front seven, in particular — enter the season with high expectations. Much of that has to do with the experience that Speights brings to the table as he looks to become one of the SEC’s top linebackers.

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6 standout Bears from Day 1 of joint practice with Colts

With the first day of Bears-Colts joint practices in the books, here are the players who impressed on Wednesday.

The Chicago Bears traveled to Indianapolis to hold a joint practice with the Colts this Wednesday ahead of their preseason matchup on Saturday.

It’s only natural that tempers would flare when the two teams are finally allowed to go all out, and the teams definitely butted heads – rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson introduced the Colts’ Troy Brown to his physical style, resulting in some trash talk between the two Midwest teams.

The Bears carried over their strong performance against the Titans to the Colts’ practice field, as the team competed to the fullest of their ability. With that being said, let’s examine the six stand out players in the Bears joint practice with the Colts.

Bears notebook: What we learned from Day 12 of training camp

The Bears had a long and physical practice on Wednesday. Our Brendan Sugrue was in attendance and shared his observations from Halas Hall.

The Chicago Bears preseason opener will be here before we know it and Wednesday’s practice served as a true tune-up for the game. The pads were back on and the Bears held their second-to-last public camp practice up at Halas Hall and it was a long one.

For just over two hours and 15 minutes, the Bears engaged in a physical practice packed with plenty of 11-on-11 drills. There was some good, some bad, and some concerning as the Bears lost a couple of key players to injuries.

For the second consecutive day, I was able to take in practice from the stands and here is what I observed and learned throughout the session.

5 Bears players who impressed on Day 12 of training camp

With Day 12 of Bears training camp in the books, here are the players who impressed on Wednesday.

The Chicago Bears orchestrated a longer than usual training camp practice on Wednesday, with players on both offense and defense taking advantage of extra snaps.

Several Bears did not participate today, notably guard Nate Davis, defensive end DeMarcus Walker, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Jaquan Brisker.

The injury bug also made a surprise but unwelcome visit to Halas Hall, as wide receivers Chase Claypool and Equanimeous St. Brown, guard Teven Jenkins and guard Alex Leatherwood all pulled up gingerly during their respective drills, causing them to go to the sideline for a time.

Without further delay, let’s examine the five Bears players who stood out on Day 12 of training camp.

2023 LSU Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 1 Omar Speights

Omar Speights should make an immediate impact after earning First Team All-Pac 12 honors last fall.

Going into the 2023 football season, LSU Wire will be looking at each player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Brian Kelly this season.

It’s time to take a look at another transfer in [autotag]Omar Speights[/autotag], a four-year starter at linebacker from Oregon State. Speights will likely come in as an immediate impact player after earning First Team All-Pac 12 honors from the coaches last season.

Omar Speights Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ht: 6-1

Wt: 235

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three Stars | No. 4 in Oregon | No. 30 Inside Linebacker

Class in 2022: Junior

Career Stats

Year G Total Solo TFL Sack FF PD INT
2019 (Oregon State) 12 71 42 7.5 3.5 00 2 1
2020 (Oregon State) 7 63 32 4.5 1 0 0 0
2021 (Oregon State) 13 87 34 5 0.5 0 1 2
2022 (Oregon State) 13 83 39 0 0 0 1 0


Depth Chart Overview

Speights burst onto the scene right away with the Beavers as a true freshman in 2019, starting six of 12 games while recording 7.5 tackles for loss and earning Freshman All-America honors. He went on to start the next 33 games over the following three seasons.

After leading the Beavers in tackles with 83 in 2022 and leading the team to a 10-win season, Speights was named a First Team All-Pac 12 selection by the coaches and was placed on the second team by the Associated Press.

He comes in likely to take over LSU’s starting middle linebacker spot. The Tigers saw some losses at linebacker this offseason in [autotag]Micah Baskerville[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Jones Jr.[/autotag], and Speights should easily slide into a starting role after four years at Oregon State.

Omar Speights’ Photo Gallery

Chiefs had virtual pre-draft meeting with LSU LB Micah Baskerville

The #Chiefs had a virtual pre-draft visit with a productive LSU linebacker, per report.

The Kansas City Chiefs are permitted to have virtual pre-draft visits with prospects all the way up until Day 1 of the 2023 NFL draft.

According to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, LSU LB Micah Baskerville is one of the latest players to speak with the Chiefs virtually. He also had recent calls with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Listed at 6 feet 1/2  and 221 pounds, Baskerville was a highly productive linebacker for the Tigers. He was a two-year starter with LSU, amassing 172 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions during the past two seasons. He has the makings of a three-down linebacker in the NFL, boasting inside/outside linebacker versatility and multi-phase special teams capability.

Baskerville did not test particularly well at the combine, but his tape shows that he might be a better athlete than the testing suggests. The Chiefs have an inside track to find out more information about any defender from LSU with their defensive coordinator being Matt House. He served as linebacker coach with the Chiefs from 2019 through 2021.

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Best photos of LSU’s NFL draft prospects at Tigers pro day

The Tigers’ draft hopefuls took the field in front of NFL scouts on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, LSU’s draft hopefuls took the field at the team’s pro day in Baton Rouge looking to put on a show for the NFL scouts in attendance.

The major story on the day was [autotag]Kayshon Boutte[/autotag], who struggled at the NFL scouting combine. His pro day was highly anticipated, but he only participated in drills and not in athletic testing, meaning his subpar combine numbers — including a 4.50 40-yard dash — will stand.

In addition to Boutte, [autotag]Sevyn Banks[/autotag], [autotag]Anthony Bradford[/autotag], [autotag]Ali Gaye[/autotag] and [autotag]Jay Ward[/autotag] didn’t participate in athletic testing.

[autotag]Micah Baskerville[/autotag], [autotag]Jarrick Bernard-Converse[/autotag], [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag], [autotag]Mekhi Garner[/autotag], [autotag]Todd Harris Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Jaray Jenkins[/autotag], [autotag]Mike Jones Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Richardson[/autotag], [autotag]Jaquelin Roy[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre’Mond Shorts[/autotag] were full participants.

Here were the best photos of LSU players participating in drills on Wednesday.