The Final Piece Falls into place as Harold Perkins Returns to LSU for 2025 season

When Brian Kelly said at the end of the year that a few unexpected players would return for the 2025 season, everyone assumed Garrett Nussmeier would return but, then it was a toss up between Mason Taylor, Will Campbell, and Emery Jones as to who would return alongside Nussmeier. The LSU Football team finally has its answer as Harold Perkins Jr will return to LSU for the 2025 season.

The question now becomes where does Harold Perkins play in LSU's defense in 2025? Perkins had his most success as an edge rusher but, at the NFL level he won't fit as an edge rusher given his size. Perkins burst onto the scene as a true freshman rushing the passer recording 7.5 sacks and his best place since have come when he's rushing off the edge.

The past two seasons, Perkins has spent the majority of his time at linebacker but, hasn't been as productive as you'd hope.

The best fit for Perkins is seemingly at the star position where he was slated to play before tearing his ACL against UCLA. The position will keep him closer to the line of scrimmage where he can still rush the passer while using his speed in coverage without having to get caught up with the big bodies in the middle. Major Burns played the star position in 2024 and given that he's leaving Perkins can slide right into the role. The role will also allow Perkins to spy the quarterback which is something he's excelled at and something LSU has needed the last two seasons.

In the latest mock drafts, Perkins was being projected as a late second round pick which speaks to how massive it is that LSU will get him back into the fold.

When you look at LSU's defense on paper in 2025, its absolutely loaded with elite playmakers on every level of the defense. The Tigers added edge rushers Patrick Payton, Jimari Butler, and Jack Pyburn to go along with returning defensive linemen Dominick McKinley, Jacobian Guillory, Gabe Reliford, Ahmad Breaux, and Dylan Carpenter.

At linebacker, LSU returns Whit Weeks who turned into a star in 2024, Dahvon Keys who broke out toward the end of the season, West Weeks, and Harold Perkins is he sticks at linebacker along with a loaded freshman class of linebackers.

In the secondary, LSU's cornerbacks room is stacked with potential starters in Ashton Stamps, Ja'Keem Jackson, Mansoor Delane, PJ Woodland, and DJ Pickett while others could emerge under Corey Raymond's development. Safety is the lone position where LSU doesn't have clear starters but, Jardin Gilbert, DaShawn Spears, Javien Toviano, Austin Ausberry, and the Freshmen safeties will all compete for the job.

The defensive standard will be back at LSU in 2025

The defense has quickly gone from one of the worst units in the Country to a group that should be dominant in 2025. When Brian Kelly replaced his initial defensive staff, the Tigers brought in a staff known for developing players while they've also become aces on the recruiting trail. The Tigers now have the elite talent we're used to seeing at LSU back on the defensive side of the football and the Tigers will be one of the top teams in the SEC in 2024.

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