Harold Perkins Jr. Scouting Report

Harold Perkins Jr. can make game-changing plays, whether it’s sacking the quarterback as an edge defender, defending the pass when dropping in coverage, or tackling ball carriers.

Draft Grade: Round 2 - Winning Starter

Strengths:

Versatility: Perkins has proven production lined up as a pass rusher, blitzing, and as a stacked backer against the run and in pass coverage.

Pass-Rush Ability: Perkins is a natural and instinctive pass rusher who is capable of winning pass-rush reps at a high percentage.

Athleticism: From straight-line speed to lateral agility, Perkins is a fluid mover with loose hips to play in space effectively.

Clutch Performer: Perkins consistently delivers in high-leverage moments when a play needs to be made by the defense. 

Concerns:

Overall Size: Perkins' size will be a concern for NFL teams who are scouting and drafting him as an edge rusher. There will be a concern about his ability to hold up against the run and set the edge.

ILB Instincts: Perkins recently made the transition from edge rusher to stack backer and has to continue to develop the proper way to play the position and read his keys in the box at the linebacker position.

Harold Perkins Jr. Summary/Projection:

Harold Perkins Jr. is a former five-star defender who burst onto the scene as a true freshman, making immediate impact plays and quickly earning a reputation as one of the most dynamic defensive players in college football. At this point in his career, Perkins' greatest value comes as a pass rusher off the edge.

Perkins showcases a high-level understanding of how to beat offensive tackles and get to the quarterback. His impact isn’t just in splash plays; he has delivered in clutch moments, often serving as a much-needed bright spot for an LSU defense that has struggled in recent seasons. Perkins pairs an explosive first step with natural bend and elite closing speed, making him a constant threat in passing situations.

What makes Perkins especially unique is his alignment versatility. He’s been deployed everywhere, from a blitzing A-gap defender to a stack linebacker to a stand-up edge rusher and even covering slot receivers vertically from the nickel. This range of responsibilities allows LSU to treat Perkins like a true chess piece, using him in matchup-based roles to create high-leverage opportunities for the defense.

As a pass rusher, Perkins is most effective aligned as a stand-up EDGE. At the snap, his quick first step instantly puts offensive tackles on their heels. At the apex of the rush, his lower height becomes an advantage, allowing him to dip under blocks while showcasing excellent bend and hip fluidity to corner and close on the quarterback. Perkins has elite burst and acceleration—once he turns the corner, he quickly closes space and finishes with force. His speed often overwhelms offensive tackles, resulting in sacks that appear to catch quarterbacks off guard, creating opportunities for strip sacks and turnovers. He’s a high-IQ, natural pass rusher with an arsenal of hand techniques that complement his athleticism. His ability to redirect mid-rush and change direction fluidly only adds to his threat level.

When playing as a stack backer, Perkins profiles as a true sideline-to-sideline defender. He’s an effortless accelerator with the range to make plays all over the field. He’s especially effective as a spy against mobile quarterbacks—his athleticism, reaction time, and closing burst make it difficult for opposing QBs to escape the pocket and pick up positive yards.

Areas for improvement with Perkins center on his size and run defense. While he’s a high-end pass rusher, he’s considered undersized by NFL edge standards. That shows up in his ability to set and hold the edge against the run. He struggles to shed offensive linemen when engaged and often fails to anchor at the line of scrimmage. From the stack position, he also needs to speed up his processing of run concepts. He can be late to diagnose, which allows linemen to climb to the second level and block him, opening lanes for big gains. Improving his ability to key and trigger more quickly against the run would elevate his game even further.

Overall, Perkins is a rare, versatile defender whose biggest questions are not about skill or production, but about usage. His NFL role will need to be tailored to emphasize his strengths as a playmaker while minimizing situations where his size and run defense limitations can be exploited. If deployed creatively, Perkins has the tools to be a difference-maker in any defensive scheme.