With the 2026 NFL Draft upcoming in April, several LSU Tigers are expected to hear their names called at some point throughout the draft. One LSU player with plenty of NFL potential is linebacker Harold Perkins Jr, who is projected as a Day 2 pick.
3 LSU transfers who can revitalize the Tiger offense in 2026
This week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis provides Perkins a chance to elevate his draft stock. As he continues to navigate Combine preparation, Perkins has revealed which team could be an ideal landing spot for his skill set.
Harold Perkins Jr. explores the possibility of playing for the Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a team that has piqued Perkins' interest as he continues to prepare for April's draft. As a New Orleans native, Perkins explained that he would love the opportunity to play for the Saints.
"It would feel good. I'd still be in the city that I grew up in. I love the Saints - I'm a Saints fan. But if they don't come get me, I'm sorry I ain't a Saints fan no more," Perkins said jokingly while speaking with the media on Wednesday.
I asked #LSU Linebacker Harold Perkins about the possibility of playing for the #Saints pic.twitter.com/zRMcCE4sOa
— Timothy J Jones (@tjayjones8) February 25, 2026
Saints head coach Kellen Moore is set to enter Year 2 in New Orleans after a six-win season in 2025. Despite finishing the season five games under the .500-mark, the Saints showed plenty of potential and seem to have a bright future ahead under Moore's leadership.
New Orleans has eight selections in the upcoming draft, including the No. 8 overall pick. The Saints also have the No. 42 overall pick in Round 2, the No. 73 overall pick in Round 3, the No. 132 and 136 overall picks in Round 4, the No. 148 and No. 170 overall picks in Round 5, and the No. 188 overall pick in Round 6. Could one of those Round 2-4 picks be used on Perkins?
Harold Perkins' versatility bodes well for his NFL career
Perkins came to LSU as a 5-star recruit and the No. 8 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class. As a true freshman in 2022, Perkins emerged as a star by leading the Tigers with 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He ended the season with 72 total tackles while also forcing four fumbles and collecting an interception. For his efforts, he was named a True Freshman All-American by ESPN and First-Team All-SEC by the Associated Press.
His LSU career since then has been a bit of a roller coaster, as then-LSU defensive coordinator Matt House moved Perkins to inside linebacker prior to his sophomore season. He eventually moved back to EDGE, but then new LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker tried to move Perkins back inside at the start of the 2024 season. Perkins saw a major dip in productivity and had just 1.5 tackles for loss and zero sacks in LSU's first four games of the 2024 season before going down with a season-ending ACL injury.
He showed more versatility this past season in 2025, as he collected 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble and three interceptions. For his efforts, Perkins was named a Third Team All-SEC selection.
Despite an up-and-down career with the pruple and gold, it's clear that Perkins possesses plenty of NFL potential when utilized correctly. He is capable of making plays all over the field, and Tiger fans would love to see him to stay in Louisiana and play for the Saints.