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Longtime LSU football linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. will forego his final year of eligibility and enter the 2026 NFL Draft, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. A four-year starter for the Tigers, Perkins amassed 220 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and eight forced fumbles during his time in Baton Rouge.
Although many Tiger fans will view Perkins’ time at LSU as a disappointment, given his electric freshman season, he still has a solid reputation among draft analysts. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Perkins fifth in his preseason linebacker rankings, citing his athleticism and potential as primary reasons for this placement.
Perkins' role changed throughout his time in Baton Rouge. Perkins spent a significant amount of time on the defensive line — 41% in 2022 and 35% of the time in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. Those percentages dropped drastically under Blake Baker in 2024 and 2025, however, at 14% and 11%, respectively.
Perkins’ role at the next level is yet to be determined, but one thing is clear: his best work is done as a pass rusher. In 2022, Perkins' 90.9 PFF pass rush grade was a top-10 mark in the country. He ranked fifth in sacks, with 10, and sixth in pass rush productivity rating at 16.5. Those numbers dipped in 2022, but not too drastically.
In 2025, after returning from the ACL injury that ended his 2024 season, Perkins assumed the STAR position in Blake Baker's defense. Results were mixed and Perkins had his off days, but there were some highs, too. Perkins showed drastic improvement as a run defender, something NFL teams wanted to see.
It's hard to determine what sort of role Perkins will have at the next level. If he lands with a team that has a clear development plan for him, he could become a productive pro. Perkins has tools galore; what he needs is an NFL coaching staff to help him harness them.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Star LSU football linebacker Harold Perkins reveals NFL Draft decision
Continue reading...
Although many Tiger fans will view Perkins’ time at LSU as a disappointment, given his electric freshman season, he still has a solid reputation among draft analysts. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Perkins fifth in his preseason linebacker rankings, citing his athleticism and potential as primary reasons for this placement.
Perkins' role changed throughout his time in Baton Rouge. Perkins spent a significant amount of time on the defensive line — 41% in 2022 and 35% of the time in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. Those percentages dropped drastically under Blake Baker in 2024 and 2025, however, at 14% and 11%, respectively.
Perkins’ role at the next level is yet to be determined, but one thing is clear: his best work is done as a pass rusher. In 2022, Perkins' 90.9 PFF pass rush grade was a top-10 mark in the country. He ranked fifth in sacks, with 10, and sixth in pass rush productivity rating at 16.5. Those numbers dipped in 2022, but not too drastically.
In 2025, after returning from the ACL injury that ended his 2024 season, Perkins assumed the STAR position in Blake Baker's defense. Results were mixed and Perkins had his off days, but there were some highs, too. Perkins showed drastic improvement as a run defender, something NFL teams wanted to see.
It's hard to determine what sort of role Perkins will have at the next level. If he lands with a team that has a clear development plan for him, he could become a productive pro. Perkins has tools galore; what he needs is an NFL coaching staff to help him harness them.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Star LSU football linebacker Harold Perkins reveals NFL Draft decision
Continue reading...
