After spending his morning speaking at 2024 SEC Media Days, star LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr took some time to discuss his move to inside linebacker and what he’s been doing to prepare for the transition.
LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr has reportedly put on several pounds of extra muscle this offseason
When LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr first stepped foot on campus in Baton Rouge, LA, in the fall of 2022, there was no denying the kind of talent the young defender possessed. With next-level speed to go along with a knack for getting after the quarterback, there was no doubt he’d be able to make an impact during his time with the purple and gold.
If anything, it was just a matter of where he’d fit best into the Tiger defense, and now, as we look ahead to his junior season, the coaching staff appears hopeful that they’ve finally solved the puzzle.
Beginning his career as a primary edge rusher in his freshman season, Perkins Jr put together a stellar year which included a three sack performance vs. SEC rival Arkansas in early November. He’d end up totaling 72 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, and expectations were sky high heading into his sophomore year.
Unfortunately, a rough transition over to a more traditional linebacker position ended up slowing him down a bit during the 2023 campaign, but not all hope is lost. Under a completely new defensive coaching staff in 2024, the former five-star recruit is stronger than ever and sounds more than excited to give inside linebacker a second chance.
“It’s football. You can’t be no small guy running around out there, so I put on a few pounds of muscle,” the LSU linebacker said while speaking during today’s SEC Media Days. “My speed and everything is still the same; I’m just ready to get going.”
Having been listed at 217 pounds just last season, the now veteran defender is above 220 heading into the fall, which could just mean even more power for an already impressive athlete entering his junior season.
Moving to inside linebacker could end up being difference maker for the Tigers in 2024
When news first broke that Perkins Jr would continue his journey into the middle of the defense, many fans understandably had some concerns. After a somewhat plateaued sophomore season of just 75 tackles and 5.5 sacks, the experiment didn’t appear to work right away, but with new defensive coordinator Blake Baker in charge, the overwhelming majority viewed this as the best possible option for the team.
“It was the best decision that was needed for the team,” the New Orleans, LA product continued this morning. “I’m just here to help my team reach the next level and the next goal, and that’s a national championship.”
Perkins Jr isn’t the only Tiger leader who has his eyes set on a ring. All offseason long, players like quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and offensive tackle Will Campbell have openly discussed a run at a national championship in 2024.
Whether the team can make enough strides on the defensive side of the ball to be competitive or not is yet to be seen, but it’s hard to deny the confidence this group has in itself as a whole. For now, it will just be a matter of continuing improvement through the offseason, and if an SEC or national championship does happen to be on the horizon for the purple and gold, you can bet your bottom dollar that Harold Perkins Jr will certainly be a major part of it.
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