‘Devastated’ LSU Fans Bemoan Linebacker Harold Perkins’ Tragic Fate After 2024 Season Bites the Dust

Tragic news for the LSU Tigers as their star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. faces a season-ending injury. Perkins, a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, suffered an ACL injury during the Tigers’ game against the UCLA Bruins.

This unfortunate event occurred in the 4th quarter when Perkins attempted to tackle UCLA’s Jalen Berger on a third-and-35 play. After going down, Perkins was seen walking off the field with the medical staff, leaving fans and teammates worried.

Perkins, a former five-star recruit, has had an impressive career with 13 sacks and 162 tackles. He was also named a preseason first-team All-SEC player, and many had their eyes on him for the draft. LSU’s head coach, Brian Kelly, remained cautious, saying, “We’ll do all the diagnostic testing tonight and tomorrow and we’ll have a better answer,” though it’s now confirmed Perkins is out for the rest of the 2024 season.

This injury is a massive blow, not just for Harold Perkins but for the entire LSU program, which has already been hit with season-ending injuries to starting defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory and running back John Emery. With another key player out, LSU fans are understandably devastated, seeing their chances this season take a hit.

Now, fans are reacting with shock and sadness, as this injury could affect not just LSU’s season but Perkins’ NFL prospects.

Fans are concerned about LB Harold Perkins’ injury

College football is full of emotions right now, especially for LSU fans who saw their hopes of a big season take a hit after back-to-back injuries to star players. Harold Perkins’ injury in particular has fans devastated. One fan commented, “This is f–king awful on so many levels. I hate this for Perk. Injuries suck. I’m devastated.” Losing a top linebacker like Perkins could seriously hurt LSU’s chances in the CFB playoff, and another fan shared, “That’s terrible news. Prayers for a speedy recovery 🙏.”

Perkins’ importance to the team is clear from his impressive stats. Last season, he recorded 75 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. In his 2022 rookie season, he had 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception. His injury this season is a major blow, and it may affect his future football career. As one fan put it, “Big defensive loss for LSU. Many prayers for quick healing heading HP’s way.” Another added, “What a terrible loss for LSU and an extremely tough break for Perkins.”

However, fans are still hopeful. One shared, “Hate it for him. He will come back as a force next season.” Many are also wondering what this injury could mean for Perkins’ stock in the 2025 NFL draft. Ryan Wilson, a draft expert at CBS Sports, still believes Perkins is a first-round talent, recently projecting him as the 19th overall pick, giving hope to his future. For now, we send our best wishes to Perkins for a speedy recovery.

Till then, discover fascinating facts about college football by watching our exclusive interview with Doug Sanders.