PFF reveals top potential 2022 breakout candidate for LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers have one of the SEC’s top breakout candidates waiting in the wings on the defensive line for 2022. After recording 19 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and four sacks last season, Maason Smith is moving to a full-time starter role. Pro Football Focus named Smith as one of 31 breakout candidates this week.

“The 6-foot-6, 298-pound interior defensive lineman was a five-star recruit of the 2021 class and immediately made an impression on the LSU coaching staff — so much so that he became a key part of the rotation and eventually took over a starting spot before an injury kept him out at the end of the season,” PFF’s Anthony Treash writes.

“Smith’s size-athleticism combination was different last year, but it was also easy to see how raw he was. Outside of his three-sack performance against McNeese State in Week 2 — which ended in a 90.9 pass-rush grade — Smith didn’t make much of an impact as a true freshman, posting a 57.2 PFF grade across 354 snaps. Playing with leverage at his size was a constant issue, as was his pass-rush repertoire: If he didn’t use a club/arm over, Smith was just trying to outdo the opposition with his physical gifts.”

PFF sees a lot of room for growth in the Louisiana native’s game, so all Brian Kelly has to do is get it out of him. Smith has a massive opportunity to shine out of the gates on Sept. 4 as the Tigers take on Florida State in New Orleans.

Brian Kelly explains why Maason Smith can be ‘big-time player’

LSU head coach Brian Kelly compared Maason Smith to a couple of his former NFL players before saying this year will be a big one for the defensive lineman.

“He’s on path,” Kelly said. “He’s not there yet but he is making progress toward guys that I have had. The Stephon Tuitt’s — that is on his second huge contract with the Steelers. Jerry Tillery, second-round draft pick. He has those tools to be a big-time player. I think one of the things that is unique about him is he can pass rush for a big guy and if you can be on the field for all three downs, you start to get into that rarified area. Big future ahead of him. This is a big year and I really think he’s going to show himself.”

Coming out of high school, Smith was ranked a five-star prospect by the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services. He was the No. 4 defensive lineman in the 2021 class and the top player from the state of Louisiana.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.