LSU working Harold Perkins at inside linebacker proves more versatility is on the way

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A big question of this offseason, as we’ve come to learn, will be how LSU is better able to disguise what Perkins is doing, knowing that a big part of teams’ plans will be how to slow him down. As a result, LSU has run Perkins a lot with the inside linebacker group that includes Omar Speights, Greg Penn and West and Whit Weeks.

While the spring practice viewings to this point have mainly been individual drills, it is important to note that Perkins has been lining up with Speights in a basic 4-2-5 defensive drill where the players essentially line up and sprint at the beginning of each practice. He’s also been working some with the JACK linebackers as well so that remains an option, though the focus does appear at least in the early weeks, to be more centered on the inside linebackers.

Learning that position will allow Perkins to tap into a completely different look that offenses will have to be on high alert for. What makes Perkins so great is his athletic combination of strength, power and speed to not only race past o-linemen and make plays in the backfield but stay glued to receivers and running backs crossing the middle of the field. It opens up a whole avenue of playmaking including breaking up passes, forcing fumbles and recording interceptions.


It will help LSU disguise Perkins a little bit better as well, which should only aid in his efforts to be one of college football's most dynamic playmakers. Imagine Perkins attacking offensive line's from all angles of the front seven throughout the course of a game in 2023 and also showing off his range sideline to sideline in tracking down opposing offensive weapons.

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