One of the first reported visits between the Chargers and a 2026 NFL draft prospect as been reported and it involves LSU pass rusher Harold Perkins Jr., via The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler.
Perkins was a highly-touted future NFL prospect during standout 2022 and 2023 seasons but unfortunately fell out of the spotlight with an injury-plagued 2024 campaign and an underwhelming senior season.
During his first two seasons in Baton Rouge, Perkins recorded 26 tackles for loss and 13 sacks to go with a pair of interceptions and seven forced fumbles. He was named a First-Team All-SEC selection as a freshman and a Second-Team selection in 2023.
In 2024, Perkins recorded 17 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery before suffering a torn ACL. After playing on the edge, Perkins returned for his senior season with a transition to inside linebacker. He posted 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in his last g-round with the Tigers.
At 6’1 and 220 pounds, Perkins is a hybrid box player with the skills to play on and off the ball. He was productive at both positions and could be yet another moveable chess piece in Chris O’Leary’s defense. Specifically, Perkins would most likely be drafted as an weakside linebacker who can run and chase down runs with his athleticism. The future of linebacker Junior Colson is still up in the air after missing most of his first two seasons in the NFL and the Bolts helped reinforce their depth by re-signing Denzel Perryman this month.
Right now, doing their homework on someone like Perkins tells us they’re considering drafting another linebacker this year to help prepare for the future. One that may or may include the 2024 third-round pick in Colson.
