LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. is a menace and Mississippi State found out the hard way. The Bulldogs were frustrated with the sophomore before the first quarter even reached its conclusion and let out that anger with a headbutt.
Perkins, who stands 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2022 and chose the Tigers over offers from just about every college football program in the country, including Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State and USC. His impact was felt right away as he recorded 72 total tackles and 7.5 sacks as a freshman.
Although Perkins’ pace has slowed some as a sophomore (because of the defensive game plan), he continues to lay the boom at every given opportunity. It rarely ends well for opposing ball-carriers.
Perkins picked up right where he left off with a team-high three tackles in the first half as LSU faced Mississippi State in Starkville on Saturday afternoon. He also recorded his first sack of the year and broke up a pass on back-to-back plays.
The Bulldogs put significant emphasis on the hard-hitting, do-it-all edge rusher and linebacker.
However, the concentrated efforts proved ineffective and allowed other Tigers defensive players to get theirs alongside Perkins. (Perkins also got his.)
Less than 15 minutes into the game, Mississippi State’s offensive line already had enough. Right tackle Kameron Jones got beat around the edge at first, but managed to keep Perkins away from his quarterback.
Then things got chippy!
Perkins and Jones went at it for a moment until the former threw a punch at the latter. And then they proceeded to exchange headbutts before an official stepped in to break things up.
Wherever Perkins goes, chaos follows. He is nearly impossible to account for offensively and will get under his opponents’ skin as soon as he steps onto the field.
LSU took a 24-7 lead into the locker room at the break.