One of the most fascinating prospects in the 2025 draft is LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr, who started his college career on top of the world, but a brutal injury put his draft stock in free fall. But after missing almost all of the 2024 season, he is back with a vengeance, and this season is looking to show scouts that he belongs in the top 10 conversation.
Coming out of high school, Perkins was seen as a can’t-miss player and was almost unanimously viewed as a top-five recruit when he committed to LSU. From the moment Perkins arrived in Baton Rouge, he made an impact in every facet of the game. As a true freshman, he posted 7.5 sacks (Led the team) as well as 72 total tackles, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Against Arkansas, he had one of the best defensive games I have ever seen from a college player, where he single-handedly took over the game as a true freshman.
In just his first season of college football, Perkins was already getting attention from NFL scouts, and early projections had him as the number one overall pick in the 2026 draft. Off the edge, going against some of the SEC’s best tackles, he appeared unblockable, with elite burst, speed, and bend to get to the quarterback. As a linebacker, he made sideline-to-sideline tackles, and in coverage, he had good zone discipline and was able to stick with both running backs and tight ends in man coverage.
Perkins slowed down in his sophomore season, facing a lot more double teams off the edge. He struggled to generate as much pass rush and finished the year with just 5.5 sacks. He still was a solid coverage linebacker and finished with 74 tackles, three forced fumbles, and an interception. The 2025 season felt like the big breakout year for Perkins, but in a game against UCLA, disaster struck.
In just the fourth game of the season, Perkins came up to make a hit on a receiver coming across the middle, a play he had made hundreds of times before. But after an awkward collision, Perkins hit the ground in pain and did not get back up. Tests later revealed a torn ACL, which required surgery and shut him down for the year. With the dip in production in 2023 and the injury in 2024, Perkins’ draft stock went into free fall, and he elected to return to LSU for his senior season this year.
Since returning to the field, Perkins is back in his star linebacker role with the Tigers, and he looks like his old self. Off the edge, Perkins flashes that same speed, burst, and bend, and in pass coverage, he has proven to still have the same lateral quickness he had before the injury. The most important thing scouts are looking for from Perkins is to see if his athletic ability will return to what we saw in his freshman year, and so far he has looked great.
Many people forgot about Perkins after his sophomore slump, and the injury just hurt his draft stock even more. But while the results have not piled up, Perkins appears to have the confidence and athleticism he had pre-injury. He still flashes that elite edge rusher skillset, with the ability to be moved all over the field, which is unique and reminds me a lot of Micah Parsons and Nik Bonitto, two guys who just got massive extensions.
Versatility is so important in the NFL, and having a linebacker who can also rush off the edge at a high level will be incredibly valuable. You can expect Perkins to light up the combine, and coaches will be foaming at the mouth looking to add this guy to their defense. Do not be surprised when he is a top 10 pick this spring.
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