Another notable loss
For the third time in four weeks, LSU is losing one of the faces of its team for the 2024 season.
Junior linebacker Harold Perkins will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after tearing his ACL in the fourth quarter of LSU’s 34-17 win over UCLA. Matt Zenits of CBS and 247 Sports had the news first. Perkins is, unfortunately, now added to the list of Tigers lost for the season which includes John Emery (torn ACL) and Jacobian Guillory (ruptured Achilles).
Perkins has been one of the biggest names for LSU since arriving on campus three years ago as a five-star prospect. He blew up as a true freshman in 2022 when he had 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles; and despite the woes the 2023 LSU defense had, Perkins still 75 tackles 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pick.
Perkins headed into 2024 as a potential first round draft pick. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had Perkins ranked as the No. 2 off-ball linebacker in the class. Now that is all up in the air as Perkins will have to work his way back from a devastating injury.
The elephant in the room is what does the future hold for Perkins. He was almost certainly going to enter the NFL Draft at season’s end. Now? Who knows, maybe he still will or maybe he’ll try to recoup some draft stock if it takes a hit. Selfishly I hope Saturday wasn’t the last time we saw Perk in the purple and gold, but I’ll understand if he wants to turn the page and try his luck at the professional level.
Godspeed, Perkins. We’ll never forget that incredible freshman season you had.