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LSU Tigers: Top 5 defensive players to watch for in 2023

By Charlie Hubbard

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 22: Harold Perkins Jr. #40 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a sack during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 22: Harold Perkins Jr. #40 of the LSU Tigers celebrates a sack during the first half against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium on October 22, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Sep 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) celebrates a play during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive tackle Maason Smith (0) celebrates a play during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 – Maason Smith, Defensive Line

Maason Smith was named to the preseason All-SEC Third Team entering the 2022 season. Unfortunately, his time was cut short after he tore his ACL celebrating in the first game against Florida State. Such was a massive blow for LSU Tigers fans expecting a breakout season from him.

However, we expect Smith is back on the elite pass rusher track for the Tigers in 2023. Look for him to stack among the SEC’s best defensive linemen.

The 6-6 and 330-pound defensive tackle will look to make an enormous impact in the 2023 LSU Tigers’ season. Smith returns to a defensive line group that lost BJ Ojulari, Ali Gaye, and Jaquelin Roy to the NFL Draft.

Smith will be eligible for the NFL Draft next year, which he currently ranks as the 33rd best prospect. We expect Smith to do everything he can to improve his draft stock and become the player LSU Tigers fans have anticipated since he stepped on campus in 2021.

Smith was a highly touted, Louisiana high school recruit. 247 Sports ranked him as the nation’s 20th-best football prospect overall and the 5th-best defensive lineman. In his freshman season, Smith performed well, totaling 19 tackles and four sacks in seven games.

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