Defensive personnel changes as LSU prepares for South Carolina

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Despite numerous changes in both the players and staff of the team, one constant theme has persisted.

Matt House and Blake Baker have not positioned Harold Perkins Jr in the most advantageous way for success. Playing at linebacker, Perkins has been ineffective against opposing offenses, getting bogged down in the congestion inside, which hampers his speed.

Since Perkins was shifted to middle linebacker, fans have been eager to see him play closer to the line of scrimmage to maximize his playmaking ability. Fortunately, the fanbase's desire will be fulfilled this weekend.

During Wednesday's practice, Brian Kelly emphasized that Whit Weeks has stood out as LSU's top performer, prompting upcoming changes. Reports indicate that Whit Weeks will start at linebacker, with Harold Perkins taking snaps at star position instead of Major Burns.

This adjustment is likely not a simple one-to-one substitution, but rather a strategic move based on LSU's upcoming opponent. The South Carolina Gamecocks heavily rely on running the ball, with over 70% of their plays being rushing attempts. In order to effectively counter the Gamecocks' rushing offense, it is more logical to incorporate Weeks into the defensive lineup and shift Perkins to an outside role, rather than keeping an extra defensive back on the field.

In the Missouri game, Harold Perkins demonstrated his ability to excel as a receiver in coverage when needed, as evidenced by his performance against Luther Burden. He was assessed as a dependable player in coverage during that game.