Baton Rouge, LA.- He’s back!

Breaking news: LSU’s star Linebacker Harold Perkins announces his intention to return to the Tigers in 2025. Perkins, a 6 foot 1 junior announced his decision to hold off the NFL for another year via social media.

Harold Perkins has been widely regarded as one of the top defensive players in College Football over the past few seasons. In his true freshman season, Perkins totaled 72 Tackles, 7.5 Sacks, 3 Forced Fumbles and 1 Interception. This impressive stat line earned Harold Perkins numerous accolades, including AP All-American, First Team All SEC, and multiple SEC Player of the Week honors.

Harold followed up his outstanding freshman year with a comparable sophomore year. In 2023, Perkins recorded another 70+ Tackle, 5.5 Sack, 3 Forced Fumble season, racking in more conference honors.

Entering this season, Harold Perkins had all of the hype surrounding him, including top-10 pick projections. The scouts love Perkins, raving about his physicality and violence on the field. Harold Perkins started off his junior season with a bang, recording 16 Tackles and 1 Fumble Recovery in the first few weeks of the year.

Things turned for the worst for Perkins as during LSU’s Week 4 rout over UCLA Bruins, he suffered a knee injury during the 4th quarter. Upon further testing it was confirmed, Harold Perkins tore his ACL, and would miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season. LSU would go on to have a solid campaign, ending the regular season 8-4, and cueing up a Texas Bowl matchup against Baylor on December 31.

Harold Perkins isn’t the only Tigers’ star returning to Baton Rouge in 2025, as star QB Garrett Nussmeier announced his intention to come back to college as well. LSU’s had a strong transfer portal class, especially on defense, bringing in star EDGE Rusher Patrick Payton from FSU recently.

The addition of Payton alongside the unforeseen return of one of College Football’s most polarizing defenders will be the bane of all SEC offensive coordinators for yet another season.

Cover Photo Credits: Fenthon Aristhomene, New Era Prep