Background

Harold Perkins Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Hurricane Katrina displaced his family in 2005 when 17 family members evacuated to Texas, and he grew up in Cypress, Texas. He attended Cypress Park High School, where he played linebacker and running back, earning First-Team All-Greater Houston as a utility player on offense. He also played basketball. ESPN ranked him No. 4 nationally, and 247Sports ranked him No. 8, making him a consensus five-star recruit. He was the nation's top-rated outside linebacker and played in the Under Armour All-America Game before signing with LSU. He was one of the best true freshmen in recent SEC history in 2022: 72 tackles, 13 TFL, 7.5 sacks, an interception, and 4 forced fumbles across 14 games, earning First-Team All-SEC and Freshman All-America. His signature performances included tying the LSU single-game sack record with 4 against Arkansas and earning back-to-back SEC Defensive Player of the Week awards against Alabama and Arkansas. His sophomore year brought 75 tackles, 13 TFL, 5.5 sacks, and a conference-leading 3 forced fumbles, earning Second-Team All-SEC. A torn ACL in 2024 limited him to just four games. He returned for 2025 and played across LSU's defense at off-ball linebacker, on the edge, and over the slot, producing a bounce-back season. Career totals across four seasons: over 200 tackles, 30-plus TFL, 13 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft as a redshirt junior.

Physical Attributes

Perkins is a freaky and fluid athlete. While undersized and outgunned in the strength department for just about any position he could play on the next level, Perkins makes up for it with raw speed. He can fly through gaps and bend around a corner, but once he is engaged, it is hard for him to break free.

Data and Tape Analysis

If you are unfamiliar with my LB radar charts, you can find more information here

Ok, lets break this down here is Perkins last season versus his 2023 season, which he played at 19 years old:

Now his last season against his 2022 season, where he played in the SEC at 18!

So Perkins has had one of the best seasons as a pass rusher for this class of LBs, and one of the best seasons as a coverage linebacker, and then an ACL tear after four games in his third year, and the first year back from that after that.

What the hell do you make of all of that?

Grade and Outlook

Going into his junior year, Perkins looked like a potential first-round pick, even with his size concerns. I cannot let a knee injury that happened two years ago, which we can see did not harm his athleticism at this point, and two mediocre years take away from just how good his first two years in Baton Rouge were. I will always bet on a player like this re-finding their form and being a good football player.

Grade: 4.9 (Late 3rd Rounder / Early 4th Rounder)