LSU DC Blake Baker says Harold Perkins is 'on fire' in fall camp

LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker met with the media on Saturday, so naturally, the topic of Harold Perkins Jr. came up.

For the second straight offseason, Perkins has been one of the most discussed players in the SEC. He burst on the scene as a true freshman in 2022, but in 2023, the defensive staff struggled to make the most of Perkins’ talents.

With Baker in town, fans are expecting Perkins to be one of the best linebackers in the SEC and his fall camp could signal more good things to come.

“He’s doing an unbelievable job. Harold Perkins right now is playing on fire,” Baker said, “Again, have a lot on his plate mentally. We have packages, we’re moving him all around, so he’s not just playing on the inside, but he’s fitting the run as well as anybody that we have at linebacker.”

“Very, very pleased with Harold. Really his development. Again, you talk about from where we started this thing at the beginning of spring to where he is now, its night and day,” Baker said.

Perkins was All-SEC second-team in 2023, but at media days last month, he was selected to the preseason first-team. For LSU to have the turnaround it wants on defense, it needs Perkins to play at an elite level.

At his best, Perkins is a player that can affect all levels of the defense. He’s an elite pass rusher who became one of the SEC’s best coverage backers too.

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