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O’Gara: Harold Perkins wants to do it all — including running back — but his task needs to be more simple than ever
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DALLAS — Brian Kelly is no stranger to fielding questions about Harold Perkins’ usage. That’s been a staple of the LSU linebacker’s career, which began with him bursting onto the scene as a true freshman sensation who haunted SEC offenses with a “see ball, get ball” mindset in 2022.
Last year, that usage came to the forefront because Perkins’ move to inside linebacker coincided with a statistical regression, as well as LSU’s defense plummeting to No. 109 in FBS in yards/play allowed. A Heisman Trophy season for Jayden Daniels didn’t even result in a New Year’s 6 bowl because of how disappointing the LSU defense was. It instead resulted in a gutted defensive staff with Kelly vowing to right the wrong that was the 2023 LSU defense.
So what would Kelly have done differently with Perkins?
“We would have tied him down and made him eat more,” Kelly said. “You know, we had an issue relative to his weight gain and we didn’t feel like that it really was his best position to be inside. I just felt like we were still in the developmental process with Harold … you’ll see him today. Over 220 pounds and physically strong enough to handle the rigors of inside and out.
“I just felt like we were needing to put him in the best position possible to succeed to now where he is physically in a position and he’s matured, he now is able to be in more than one position.”
Therein lies the issue. It’s not whether Perkins should be able to put on (and keep) weight, though he did admit he’s eating more now and working with the LSU nutrition staff (soul food is a go-to for Perkins). It’s not even specifically where Perkins is lined up the majority of the time (new defensive coordinator Blake Baker has him lining up at weak inside linebacker).
It’s making sure that whenever Perkins steps on the field, he’s not second-guessing anything post-snap.
Easier said than done? Yeah. The sophomore version of Perkins looked like someone who was learning how to play in coverage and defend the run. A few more helpings of gravy and rice won’t change that.
“I feel like I’ve matured. I’ve watched a lot of film. I’m not just going out there and playing, you know?” Perkins said. “My freshman year, I just went out and played. I didn’t have no worries. This year, I’m watching a lot more film. I’m taking my preparation to a whole ‘nother level.”
There’s a fine line there. Over-prepare in the film room and suddenly the concern will shift back to the issue that plagued Perkins’ play in 2023 — he couldn’t trust his instincts like he could in 2022. Was too much film study to blame for that?
“Nah, I don’t think that was the problem,” Perkins said. “I just know from the short time I’ve been playing inside ‘backer that you’ve gotta trust what you see. Go with it. Don’t second guess what you’re seeing. Don’t think too much. That’s a way that can get you in trouble. Just thinking too much. Just go out there and play. Let your talent take care of itself.”
It’s easy to forget that Perkins is still just 19 years old. He turns 20 on Sept. 10. Was it too much too soon to have him suddenly playing nearly twice as many snaps in coverage as he had rushing the passer? Sure, especially given the small margin for error with Perkins’ frame.
But therein lies the other issue. Perkins wants to do it all. This is the same guy who played running back in the bowl game.
“I’m eager to get the ball back in my hands,” Perkins said. “I can do anything.”
Anything?
“I feel like it can be anywhere. I don’t put myself in categories,” Perkins said. “I’m a ballplayer. I can play anything from running back, quarterback, receiver, linebacker, D-line, whatever.”
Perkins is indeed a ballplayer, and a darn good one at that. He might not have lived up to the hype as the best defensive player in the sport as a sophomore in 2023, but there aren’t many 19-year-old SEC linebackers who have 26 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in their career. His LSU teammates know that.
“I think Perk is special regardless of how much he weighs or whatever he’s doing,” LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier said. “I think whatever Perk’s role is, I think he’s going to execute it to a very high level no matter what they ask him to do. I think y’all will see all the different things he’s going to be asked to do and I think he’ll excel at it.”
Nussmeier added that while Perkins’ ability to rush the passer is “obviously unreal,” his coverage skills are another one of his superpowers.
LSU doesn’t need Perkins to be everything all the time. Even if Perkins isn’t elite at everything he does, him being a steady, yet disruptive player is paramount. The defensive staff’s ability to recognize that will be equally important.
The good news is that Perkins already bought into Baker. It didn’t take long.
“My first time meeting Coach Baker, he had some cleats on at practice,” Perkins said. “I fell in love with him that day just knowing that he’s on our side, putting in that work, but he’s not our here telling us what to do, he’s showing us what to do … he’s not just talking about it. He’s being about it.”
How Baker utilizes Perkins won’t be everything — a woeful secondary and a defensive line in need of answers will be critical for him in Year 1 — but it does feel like a potential microcosm for the LSU defense. As he goes, so will it.
And to be clear, Perkins said he feels that inside linebacker is the best spot for him because if he just lines up off the edge, teams can run away from him.
What’s not up for debate is too many defenses ran away from a Perkins-led LSU defense in 2023. If LSU wants to get into the 12-team Playoff, that trend can’t repeat in 2024. Finding that balance will be the storyline that defines Year 3 of the Kelly era. Unlocking the best, most decisive version of Perkins is what it’ll take.
Simple enough.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Down South. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.
