Expectations for LSU football are the highest they’ve been since they won the national championship in 2019. Coach Brian Kelly has the program right back at the top of the conference, and a big part of it is the players on the roster. For instance, today at the SEC Media Days, former All-Pro linebacker Takeo Spikes predicted Harold Perkins Jr as Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023 season.
LSU football has an elite talent at the linebacker position for 2023
There was plenty of unknown heading into Brian Kelly’s premier season. At the time, Kelly had a reputation as a head coach with plenty of years of experience in college football, primarily throughout the Midwest.
Add in the fact that he brought a whopping 15 transfers to the team with him, and no one truly knew what to expect. Well, to the pleasant surprise of many Tigers fans, things would turn out well. Brian Kelly’s squad played their way to a 10-4 overall record and an SEC Championship appearance.
One of the primary reasons for this impressive showing was because of some newly acquired impact players. One of those players ended up being five-star freshman Harold Perkins Jr.
Perkins Jr was electric throughout his first season of college football. As a freshman, he recorded 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles and one interception.
Following his impressive season, it should come as little surprise that he’s widely viewed as one of the best in the SEC. He’s even receiving some talks as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Former All-Pro linebacker Takeo Spikes predicts Harold Perkins Jr as Defensive Player of the Year
The 2023 SEC Media Days began today, and LSU football was the star of the show initially. Following Commissioner Greg Sankey’s opening questions, it was time for coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers.
During initial discussions, it should come as no surprise that stars like Harold Perkins Jr dominated most of the conversation. Furthermore, former All-Pro and current analyst Takeo Spikes revealed himself as being particularly high on Perkins Jr.
When discussing major storylines surrounding the SEC, he took his opportunity and ran with it. He is confident that Harold Perkins Jr has the potential to be the best defender in the conference this year.
“The biggest storyline that I’m buying right now is understanding that Harold Perkins will be defensive player of the year,” the former All-Pro linebacker began. “Right? Because if he moves back to a 3-4 position inside linebacker, what does it do? Offenses now can’t slide the line of protection to him, understanding that he’s rushing on the outside. And when you put him in that weak inside linebacker position – and several guys played that position that made a lot of money – myself, Patrick Willis, also look at Devin White, one of his other alumni guys that came out of LSU. So, for me, I think this is a huge move, even though he made so many splash plays last year.”
The idea of moving Perkins Jr from an outside edge rusher to more of an inside linebacker rubbed plenty of people the wrong way. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – right?
While that usually might be the case, Perkins Jr is a unique talent. Because of this, Spikes is confident this could be an excellent move for Brian Kelly’s defense.
“Well, he’s not a one-trick pony anymore. And I think last year, when you look at the amount of splash plays that he made, most times it came with him roaming around on the outside. Or, he was just playing football naturally.”
The sky is the limit for the LSU football linebacker. It might even turn into a Defensive Player of the Year type season for him. One thing is for sure, though, Takeo Spikes is fully bought in on the former five-star heading into 2023.
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