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Harold Perkins added some weight this offseason as he looks to transition into his junior year. The LSU linebacker will look a bit different when lining up on the Tigers’ defense this fall.
Perkins broke out as a freshman, becoming one of the most disruptive players on the field. He ended that first season with 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
While he matched that TFL output in 2023, in some ways he fell short of expectation. Some of that was due to a shift from pass rusher to inside linebacker.
Head coach Brian Kelly was asked about his star defender at SEC Media Days on Monday, and what he wanted to see Perkins do this summer to improve.
The regrets Kelly held from that 2023 campaign didn’t center around the linebacker’s on-field play. Rather, he wished to see his playmaker get bigger and stronger.
“You can’t play inside linebacker at 210 pounds. Well, you say you can, but you can’t because you just can’t hold up inside… [I wish we] would’ve tied him down and made him eat more.”
-Brian Kelly
That won’t be an issue this season!
Harold Perkins has beefed up to 225 pounds.
The linebacker added more than 10 pounds of muscle this offseason in preparation for the year to come. With that said, he hasn’t lost his speed, which has been his most noted attribute over his first two seasons.
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Playing at 220-225 should help Harold Perkins be a bit more durable and imposing at his inside linebacker spot. He’ll fill out that LSU uniform a little more in 2024.
With that being said, he might have to start shopping around for a new wardrobe!
While at SEC Media Days, Perkins commented on the weight gain and how it’s affected him thus far. Though he hasn’t lost a step, he has noticed that his clothes are starting to get more snug.
Harold Perkins said he’s gotten up to 225 lbs but he hasn’t lost any speed and he’s more comfortable in his role…
Also says his neck got bigger and it was hard to button up his shirt this morning.
-Brie Andras // X: @briannaandras
Perkins is on a mission this year with hopes of boosting his NFL Draft stock. He’ll have more than enough to afford that new wardrobe if all goes according to plan.