Nov 11, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (4) tackles Florida Gators wide receiver Marcus Burke (88) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Harold Perkins Jr. LB LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Harold Perkins Jr. LB LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (97%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.9 DOB: 09/10/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: COVERAGE LB | |
| Last Updated: 05/28/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (97%*) | |
| Age: 22.9 DOB: 09/10/2002 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 84.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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66% |
| Pass Rush: |
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79% |
| Run Defense: |
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72% |
| Coverage: |
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75% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#94
Position rank:
#11
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| College Games: 29 College Snaps: 1460 | ||
ESPN RATING: 93/100
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247 RATING: 99/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Magee - Temple |
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87% |
| Daiyan Henley - Washington State |
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85% |
| Dorian Williams - Tulane |
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85% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born in New Orleans but forced to relocate to the Houston area as an infant, Harold Perkins Jr carried the spirit of his hometown to Cypress Park High School in Texas, where he dominated as a five-star recruit across multiple rating services. ESPN tabbed him as the fourth-best overall prospect in the 2022 class, while 247Sports and Rivals showered him with five-star ratings and top-10 national rankings. His versatility showed early - earning first-team All-Greater Houston honors as a utility player on offense while terrorizing opposing quarterbacks from the linebacker spot.Perkins burst onto the college scene at LSU with one of the most dominant true freshman campaigns in recent memory. His 2022 season featured 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks - numbers that led all Power 5 freshmen in tackles for loss and ranked him third in the SEC in sacks. The accolades poured in: First-Team All-SEC from the Associated Press, multiple SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors, and national recognition after a three-sack performance against Arkansas that nearly tied the school record. His breakthrough moment came during a three-week stretch where he earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors before claiming back-to-back SEC Defensive Player of the Week awards, helping propel LSU to an SEC Western Division title.
The 2023 sophomore campaign saw Perkins adapt to a new role as LSU moved him from edge rusher to off-ball linebacker, where he still managed 75 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks despite the positional adjustment challenges. His junior season in 2024 was derailed after just four games when he suffered a torn ACL against UCLA, but his decision to return for the 2025 season gives him another opportunity to showcase his elite talent. Over his first three seasons, Perkins accumulated 164 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks while earning SEC Academic Honor Roll recognition three times, proving his dedication extends beyond the gridiron.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Possesses elite speed that translates to devastating pursuit angles and sideline-to-sideline range rarely seen at linebacker.
- Creates instant havoc as a pass rusher with explosive first-step quickness and natural bend around the edge.
- Shows remarkable closing burst when attacking ball carriers, consistently arriving faster than blockers can react.
- Displays instinctive play recognition that allows him to trigger downhill and disrupt plays before they develop.
- Demonstrates reliable hands and ball skills with multiple interceptions and forced fumbles throughout his career.
- Brings versatility to line up anywhere from edge rusher to safety, making him a defensive coordinator's dream.
- Flashes impressive coverage ability when asked to drop into zone concepts, showing fluid hips and spatial awareness.
- Competes with relentless motor and plays with the kind of edge that forces offensive coordinators to game-plan around him.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Frame concerns are legitimate - his 225-pound build struggles to disengage from bigger offensive linemen and tight ends.
- Takes false steps and overruns plays when his aggression gets ahead of his technique and discipline.
- Lacks the power to consistently stack and shed blocks when playing off-ball linebacker against bigger interior linemen.
- Pass-rushing arsenal remains limited to speed moves, needing to develop counter moves and power techniques.
- Coming off ACL surgery raises durability questions about maintaining his explosive athleticism long-term.
Scouting Report: Summary
Perkins represents the modern evolution of linebacker play - a weapon built for speed and versatility rather than traditional size and power. His speed at the linebacker position is genuinely rare, the kind of athleticism that makes defensive coordinators salivate over the possibilities. When you watch him chase down running backs from the backside or close on receivers in coverage, you're seeing something that can't be taught. That burst and range make him a natural fit for teams running hybrid defenses that value position flexibility over traditional roles.The concerns about his size aren't trivial, but they're also not disqualifying in today's NFL. Teams like the Ravens, 49ers, and Dolphins have shown how to maximize undersized but athletic linebackers by putting them in favorable matchups and letting their speed do the talking. Perkins projects best as a WILL linebacker in a 4-3 scheme or as a STAR defender who can rush the passer on passing downs and cover slot receivers when needed. His ability to line up all over the formation makes him valuable in an era where defensive coordinators are constantly searching for chess pieces who can create matchup problems.
The ACL injury adds some uncertainty to his timeline, but his decision to return to LSU for another season should allow him to prove his knee is fully healthy while refining the technique issues that have held him back. If he can add 10-15 pounds of functional strength and develop more sophisticated pass-rushing moves, Perkins has legitimate Pro Bowl upside. Even without significant physical development, his combination of speed, instincts, and versatility should make him an impact player who forces offensive coordinators to account for his presence on every snap. Teams drafting in the late first or early second round who need a dynamic playmaker to energize their defense should have Perkins circled on their boards.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Harold Perkins Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
64.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
8.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.