With regard to his defensive standout, the LSU coach is determined to keep making the same error.
Apparently, Brian Kelly still hasn’t figured out how to deploy his talented linebacker.
Following a standout performance in the latter part of his freshman season, the future appeared promising for Harold Perkins, a former Texas A&M football commit who had transitioned to become an LSU Tiger. His on-field impact was so significant that ESPN ranked him as the fourth-best player in the sport heading into the subsequent season, despite a game against Texas A&M football where he only recorded two combined tackles—an achievement that some (including the author) attributed to Jimbo’s strategic prowess.
Despite the acclaim for his pass-rushing skills, eyebrows were raised in Baton Rouge when it was announced before the 2023 season that Perkins would be moved to inside linebacker. The decision to shift him from a position where he had excelled the previous season prompted speculation and curiosity about the coaching staff’s rationale for making this change.
As one might expect, this was a bad idea. Perkins made a midseason change, but it wasn’t quite enough as his freshman and sophomore seasons’ cumulative stat lines are nearly identical, with Perkins really only beginning to show up in the latter half of the season. In comparison to his rookie season, he had two more total tackles, two fewer sacks, the same amount of TFLs, and forced fumbles in his sophomore year.
Surely we have learned our lesson? False.
Harold Perkins is going to play inside linebacker again.
In an interview with @theadvocatebr today, Brian Kelly explained the plan for the LSU star.
"He needs to be more involved in the linebacker fits inside… It's going to make us a better defense.”https://t.co/XsHJ88w7NX
— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) February 26, 2024
For LSU fans, the situation may feel like a recurring theme, akin to Groundhog Day. The puzzling aspect lies in Coach Kelly’s apparent reluctance to acknowledge that Perkins may not be as effective in his new position.
One plausible explanation for this decision could be Perkins’ physical stature. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 220 pounds, he doesn’t fit the typical mold of an NFL edge player. Comparisons are drawn to Micah Parsons, who, while extremely dominant, is slightly larger at 6’2″ and 244 pounds. There’s a growing sentiment that Parsons’ performance may have been impacted by wear and tear over the course of a season.
While the move to inside linebacker might benefit Perkins in terms of his NFL prospects, he doesn’t necessarily project to the highest percentile in terms of physical attributes for that position either. Despite potential individual gains, the consensus is that placing him at inside linebacker won’t enhance the overall effectiveness of the LSU defense compared to his previous role as an edge rusher. The coach’s assertion otherwise is met with some amusement.
The saving grace for Coach Kelly is the luxury of implementing such changes within a highly-regarded defensive unit that retains a wealth of talent. However, as the narrative unfolds, there seems to be a twist or revelation that the author is about to share.