'Dynamic' LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. impresses Nick Saban

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama head coach Nick Saban praised LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. ahead of the Crimson Tide’s SEC West clash against the Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 4.

“He makes plays all over the place,” Saban said Wednesday. “This guy’s a really, really good athlete, really good player, very explosive. Sometimes they play him out in the apex. He’s a great blitzer. He can play like Star and reroute people and make plays in the passing game. Sometimes he plays in the box. Sometimes he plays on the edge. 

“He’s got great first-step quickness. He’s a good pass rusher. That’s why he has so many tackles for loss and sacks and things like that. But I think this guy is one of the most dynamic players in our league.”

A Freshman All-American and first-team All-SEC selection last season, Perkins is back as one of LSU’s top overall players for the 2023 season. A year ago as a true freshman, playing in 14 games and making eight starts, Perkins finished the year with 73 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. In the Tigers’ overtime win over Alabama, he recorded eight tackles, one sack (that forced a field goal inside the 10-yard line) and three quarterback hurries.

Perkins’ numbers haven’t been as strong as his stellar freshman campaign, but he still leads the LSU defense in sacks (3.0) and tackles for loss (8.0) entering the matchup against the Tide. An Alabama offense, that has allowed an SEC-high 35.0 sacks, is well aware of No. 4, and some of the Crimson Tide’s offensive linemen are looking forward to matchup up with him.

“He’s an elite pass rusher, great speed,” right tackle JC Latham said. “Excited to go against him. Loved going against him last year. Just can’t wait to play him.”

Given his praise of Perkins’ ability, Saban was asked a follow-up about the linebacker and how to emulate the many roles he plays within the Tigers’ defense. Spoiler: you can’t.

“I don’t think you can simulate it,” Saban said. “Players gotta watch the film. If we had someone that could play like him, they’d be playing. They wouldn’t be on scout team. So we do the best we can, and I think our guys do a really good job – both sides of the ball – trying to give a good look to the defensive players. But it’s hard to simulate. 

“It’s hard to be that deep on your team to be able to simulate. It’s one of the reasons we go good-on-good some in practice, so now the good guys are playing against the good guys. So hopefully you got somebody playing Star that is explosive, whether it’s Caleb Downs or Malachi (Moore) or whoever is really fast or quicker and can be challenging. And our players need to understand and respect why we go good on good. It’s to help each other get better. 

“Because if you’re going to play against a good player on Saturday, you get a chance to play against a good player in practice, challenge yourself to do things the right way. It helps you get better. But we don’t have somebody here on scout team that can simulate what No. 4 does because the guy’s a phenomenal player.”

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