During the Brian Kelly Era at LSU, the Tigers haven't been able to reach that elite level in College Football in part due to their massive struggles on defense. This past season after hiring Blake Baker, the Tigers defense took a step toward returning toward the LSU standard but, the Tigers still have room to grow.
Heading into the 2025 season, the LSU Tigers are getting a ton of preseason attention as a potential team that could compete for the SEC and will be in the conversation for the College Football Playoff. The Tigers will have an improved secondary which will go a long way toward improving as well as a defensive line with a ton of exciting pieces.
Heading into the season however, the LSU Football team has a pair of linebackers that are catching the eyes of NFL Draft analysts and will determine truly how good this defense can be.
10 Linebackers to Know in the 2026 NFL Draft♨️ pic.twitter.com/6tcHkcH5eM
— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 18, 2025
Whit Weeks emerged in 2024 quickly becoming an LSU fan favorite in the middle of the Tigers defense. The Sophomore led the team with 120 tackles while adding 3.5 sacks, 4 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception. Weeks will be the unquestioned leader of the LSU defense and will be tasked with helping the Tigers take that next step especially against the run where Weeks is at his best.
Where Harold Perkins Jr fits in this defense is one of the biggest questions heading into the 2025 season. After dominating as a true freshman as an edge rusher, Harold Perkins Jr has struggled to make the same impact after his move to linebacker. What LSU will like do with Perkins is allow him to play traditional linebacker role while deploying him off the edge, in the star position, and in other ways depending on the matchup making him a Chess Piece.
The biggest question overall with the room has to be what Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr look like coming off of injuries. If both players are healthy and ready to go Week 1 as is expected, the Tigers can easily field one of the best linebacker units in the Country next season.
Behind Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr, LSU has a solid group of linebackers that can make their impact this season. West Weeks has the most experience including his time at Virginia and the plays he's already made at LSU. Dahvon Keys was one of the most exciting players to watch down the stretch of the season and he'll only get better with more experience in the program. Tylen Singleton brings a ton to be excited about while the Tigers just signed a freshman class that's loaded with linebacker talent.