Harold Perkins Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report (Scouting Reports)
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Harold Perkins Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report

Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
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Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU

Size:

Height: 6’1" | Weight: 220 lbs

Accomplishments:

First-Team All-SEC (2023) • Second-Team All-SEC (2022) • Freshman All-America (2022)

“Harold Perkins Jr. is a game-changing defender who can make game-changing plays sacking the quarterback as an edge defender, defending the pass when dropping in coverage, and tackling ball-carriers.”

Strengths:

  • Positional-versatility  

  • High-instincts player

  • Impactful pass rusher 

  • Game-changer with impactful plays

Concerns:

  • Strength to set the edge against the run

  • Improve key and diagnosis as an off-ball LB

  • Length and size 

Film Analysis:

Harold Perkins Jr. is a former five-star defender who burst onto the scene as a true freshman making impactful plays and quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best defensive players in college football. Perkins' biggest impact came as an edge rusher.

Perkins showcases a detailed understanding of how to beat OTs and get to the quarterback. Perkins not only made big-time plays but did them in clutch moments as a much-needed bright spot for an LSU defense that struggled and needed a big-time play to help win the game. Perkins has an explosive first step combined with natural bend and closing speed that aids in how efficient and effective he is as a threat to offenses rushing the quarterback. 

Perkins is an alignment-versatile defender who will align everywhere from a blitzing-A-gap defender to the stack backer position, or from a stand-up edge rusher to playing the nickel and carrying slot receivers vertical up the field. All of those alignments allow Perkins to truly be a chess piece and in advantageous situations to make impactful plays for the LSU defense. 

As a pass rusher, Perkins is most effectively aligned as a stand-up edge rusher. At the snap, Perkins has an explosive first step allowing him to quickly gain ground on offensive tackles, putting them in difficult positions early on in the rep. At the apex of the route, Perkins' height becomes an advantage of his due to his ability to dip under OTs and he shows to have good bend and fluid hips to turn the corner and get to the quarterback. Perkins has great burst and acceleration. Once he turns the corner, he has closing speed to the quarterback and finishes the play. At moments, his speed appears to overwhelm OTs and his sacks happen so quickly that the quarterbacks don't appear to be anticipating any contact. This puts Perkins in position for strip-sacks and fumble recoveries. Perkins appears to be a high-IQ natural pass rusher whose combination of hand maneuvers work as a complementary addition to his natural athleticism as a pass rusher. Perkins can redirect and is a smooth change-of-direction player. 

Playing the stack backer position, Perkins profiles as a sideline-to-sideline player who is an easy accelerator and makes plays all over the field. Perkins has the speed to track ball-carriers down and has a high motor. 

The areas of concern for Pekins are twofold. Although Perkins is a high-level pass rusher, he would be considered undersized by NFL standards. His lack of size shows in his ability to sustain the edge against the run. It appears to be difficult for Perkins to shed offensive linemen when engaged and he also struggles to sustain the line of scrimmage. Perkins needs to improve the quickness in which he diagnoses run plays and attacks gaps to make tackles at or near the line of scrimmage from the stack linebacker position. Right now, Perkins takes time to read run plays, and offensive linemen can climb to him and block him, creating an opportunity for a big run. 

Overall, Perkins is a versatile chess piece type of player whose main concern is not skill nor production, but where he will play to be most productive while limiting disadvantageous situations. 

Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter

Written By: Keith Sanchez

Harold Perkins Jr. NFL Draft Scouting Report



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