LSU football is coming off a disappointing loss to Florida State in week one. While the loss wasn’t on any particular player, several players didn’t break out as many expected them to. Here are three players (Jayden Daniels, Harold Perkins Jr and Aaron Anderson) who could use a big game versus Grambling State in order to silence the haters.
Three LSU football players in need of a big game this weekend
Senior QB Jayden Daniels
Let me start by saying that quarterback Jayden Daniels received far too much hate following the Tigers’ 45-24 loss versus Florida State.
Many fans were vocal about their feelings toward the senior on Sunday night and early into this week. In fact, many felt that he should be benched for the Tigers’ backup, junior Garrett Nussmeier. However, when you look back at the game and his overall statistics, it’s not hard to realize that he was far from the problem.
Through the air, Daniels threw the ball 37 times for 346 yards, one touchdown and one interception while completing 59.5 percent of his passes. On the ground, he carried the ball 15 times for 64 yards.
While it isn’t an “elite” stat line, per se, it’s clear that he was able to move the ball for the Tigers. Still, when you play in the SEC, moving the ball isn’t enough. You need to be able to turn those 400 yards into a win, which Daniels was unable to do.
That is one of the main reasons Jayden Daniels could use a big game on Saturday. Fans were open about how unimpressed they were with him following Sunday’s loss. However, a big game against Grambling State could be huge in turning the fanbase back on his side.
Sophomore LB Harold Perkins Jr
Harold Perkins Jr in 2023 is a tough case to gauge. We know he has the potential to be one of the best players on the field at all times. However, we also know he’s young and, with his move to inside linebacker, is currently learning a new position.
In 2022, Perkins Jr recorded 72 total tackles, including 7.5 sacks. Add in the fact that he was just a freshman, and it’s not hard to see why he was hyped up so much heading into 2023.
That’s also why his five total tackles on Sunday were so underwhelming. The Florida State offense avoided him with relative ease, and he couldn’t find a way to leave his impact felt as many expected.
With all that being said, not all is lost. Harold Perkins Jr is a generational talent, and with every game, he adds a little more experience to his belt. Furthermore, coach Brian Kelly spoke with the media earlier this week and expressed interest in moving him to a more hybrid role for week two.
Rather than seeing him purely as an inside linebacker or an edge rusher, we could see a mixture of both. For Perkins Jr, this should be excellent news. This gives the defense a whole new element of flexibility and takes away the ability to predict where he’ll line up any given down.
We’ll see what this means for him in week two, but there’s little doubt the fanbase would appreciate a big game versus Grambling State from the stud sophomore.
Sophomore WR Aaron Anderson
Consistency is the name of the game for sophomore wide receiver Aaron Anderson.
There’s no denying his overall talent and playmaking ability, but it’s a matter of showing it play-in and play-out. It would also help not to drop the ball.
One of the main reasons the sophomore wide receiver could use a big game is because of one specific play. Early in the second quarter of week one, he muffed a punt, giving the ball back to Florida State just outside of the red zone. It ultimately didn’t matter too much, as cornerback Duce Chestnut would snag an interception just one play later.
Still, some trust was undoubtedly lost at that moment. It certainly didn’t help when you consider the only impact he made on offense was one catch for seven yards.
For Anderson, it could be a matter of simplifying things in week one. Short passes and fundamentals could be the key, and who knows, maybe a big play or two can come out of it.
No matter how it happens, Aaron Anderson needs to show some improvement versus Grambling State as he looks to earn back the trust of LSU football faithful.
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