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Making the case for a dark horse 2024 LSU football Heisman candidate

Could the star linebacker be a dark horse Heisman candidate?

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LSU football Heisman candidate, Heisman, LSU, Harold Perkins Jr, linebacker
Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; LSU Tigers running back John Emery Jr. (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

As we look at the current state of college football, there’s no denying that the Heisman Trophy has largely become a quarterback award. As a matter of fact, since the year 2000, just three non-quarterbacks have won it. Still, while the odds aren’t exactly in his favor, linebacker Harold Perkins Jr has the chance to be a bit of a dark horse LSU football Heisman candidate in 2024.

Expectations are sky high for linebacker Harold Perkins Jr in 2024

One of the biggest question marks heading into the 2023 season for the Tiger defense was a matter of how linebacker Harold Perkins Jr would adjust to a more traditional middle linebacker role. While he undoubtedly had the skillset to perform well in his new position, many were concerned after he spent most of his freshman season as a primary pass rusher.

Understandably, there were some growing pains highlighted by a relatively unimpressive five tackle outing vs. Florida State in week one. Still, despite what some fan complaints might lead you to believe, it ended up being a largely productive season for the second-year starter, recording a career high 74 tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks, four pass deflections, three forced fumbles and an interception.

As it would turn out, former defensive coordinator Matt House wasn’t the only one who liked Perkins Jr in a more traditional linebacker position. Already this spring, new defensive coordinator Blake Baker has elected to keep him there, allowing him an opportunity to continue roaming the field and impacting the game at multiple levels.

While it’s yet to be seen how he fares in year-two of middle linebacker duties, expectations haven’t dropped in the slightest. With an overall skillset that can rival just about any defender in college football, Harold Perkins Jr has the potential to be incredible in 2024.

Could some extra snaps at running back make him a dark horse LSU football Heisman candidate?

While there’s no question about his ability as a linebacker, we saw something in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl that may have opened up a whole new world of opportunities as we look ahead to the upcoming season.

After kicking off the 2024 year against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day, many LSU fans went into the day expecting a relatively easy win against a middle of the road Big Ten West program. However, after four drives in a row without putting any points on the board, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and the Tigers found themselves down 14-0 mid-way through the second quarter.

Something needed to change, and when the offense finally found its way to the goal line, interim offensive coordinator Joe Sloan saw an opportunity for a unique spark to get things going. He went ahead and threw linebacker Harold Perkins Jr in at running back, and just like that the sophomore found his way into the endzone for the first time in his college football career.

Whether Sloan was aware of it at the time or not, he may have opened the door for a potential dark horse LSU football Heisman contender for the 2024 season.

Understandably so, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is the early favorite within the roster to potentially make it to New York at the end of the 2024 season. Still, Perkins Jr has the chance to potentially enter his name into discussions with a couple big games early on.

Additionally, if the soon-to-be junior can steal some snaps on offense as the season goes along, it would just further arguments to add him into conversations.

History of defensive players and the Heisman Trophy

In the long history of the Heisman Trophy, just one defensive player has ever won the award, as Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson received the nod in 1997.

Additionally, only a handful of players have ever been named as finalists, as Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Ohio State defensive end Chase Young, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and LSU safety Tyrann Mathieu were some of the most recent.

For the sake of comparison for LSU star Harold Perkins Jr, the last linebacker to earn his way to New York as a Heisman finalist was Jabrill Peppers out of Michigan in 2016. While it’s notable to mention that he played all three phases of the game, from a defensive standpoint, the talented athlete didn’t put up crazy numbers by any means.

In total, he record 72 tackles, four sacks, one pass deflection, one forced fumble and one interception on defense while adding 740 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns between offense and special teams.

Truth be told, it’s hard to imagine we’ll see Perkins Jr on offense enough to put up those kinds of numbers. In fact, the bowl game offensive appearance may end up just being a one time deal.

Regardless, putting awards and recognition to the side, if the Tiger defense wants to see a jump in 2024, the elite linebacker will need to be a major part of it. If he happens to put up some crazy numbers along the way, it would just be icing on top of what has already been an impressive career with the purple and gold thus far.



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Tyler serves as the Managing Editor of LSU Glory. First being introduced in 2023, LSU Glory is one of the fastest-rising media outlets dedicated to comprehensive coverage of LSU sports. Tyler has covered college athletics since 2019, with his work being featured in top publications like Bleacher Report, BVM Sports, Verbal Commits and Yardbarker.

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