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Brian Kelly explains how Harold Perkins was used in LSU’s loss to FSU
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Harold Perkins was expected to be a force for the LSU defense on Sunday night against Florida State. Perkins’ freshman performance helped carry the Tigers to the SEC Championship Game last season. In the 2023 season opener, however, his use by the LSU coaching staff drew heavy criticism from fans and media members.
Perkins finished with 5 tackles in the game, including 2 solo stops. He did not record any tackles for loss, sacks or quarterback hurries. After the 45-24 loss to the Seminoles, Brian Kelly was asked “what was missing” from his star linebacker on Sunday night in Orlando. The head coach said Perkins is adjusting to his new assignment as an off-ball linebacker.
“What was missing? Well, I mean, you know, he’s playing a position for the first time,” Kelly told reporters. “So there’s a learning curve there. He’s learning. He’s learning how to play linebacker for the first time. You know, we put him in a position last year where he was ‘see ball, get ball.’
“Now he’s in a position where, you know, he’s got to get over the top. He’s got a back coming out of the backfield. He’s got to be disciplined and can’t lose his eyes on the quarterback mesh. Fourth down, there’s a lot going on there, and he’s trying to sort it out. You’re catching a young player early on in his career, and he’s going through some growing pains.”
Perkins is a special talent. Time will tell if changing his position is the right move in the long run, but the Tigers sorely missed the pass-rushing presence of Perkins’ 7.5 sacks on Sunday.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
