The LSU Tigers are loaded with talent in 2024.
Brian Kelly lost Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jayden Daniels and top-tier receivers in Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers to the NFL this offseason. However, his team still has tons of talent to contend for an SEC championship and College Football Playoff appearance.
The Tigers are particularly loaded up on the offensive line, so let's take a look at a handful of the team's players who could be a first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some other names to monitor.
Will Campbell, Offensive Tackle
If there's any left tackle in college football that's going to be compete for the No. 1 pick, it's going to be LSU's Will Campbell.
Campbell has been a start since arriving in Baton Rouge as a true freshman. He's earned All-SEC honors in both years as a starter, including a first-team All-SEC selection in 2023 as the team's left tackle. According to Pro Football Focus, he didn't allow a single sack in pass protection last season.
A 6-foot-6, 320-pound junior, Campbell has the prototypical frame for a left tackle at the NFL level. He has very good footwork to cover tons of space in his pass sets, plus the hand placement and strike timing to lock up pass rushers.
Although he still needs to get a little stronger at the point of attack in the run game, Campbell is such a polished and athletic tackle in pass protection that he can work on getting stronger while holding down a tackle spot at the NFL level in 2025 and beyond.
Harold Perkins Jr., Linebacker
Harold Perkins burst onto the scene as a freshman All-American and first-team All-SEC selection in 2022. However, he took a bit of a step back in 2023 after moving to a more traditional off-ball linebacker role.
Kelly has stated that he plans to continue working Perkins as an off-ball linebacker in 2024. That makes his evaluation a bit trickier as an NFL prospect, particularly because he was so effective and explosive when considering him an EDGE.
As a traditional ILB, Perkins brings plenty of athleticism and play speed to be a legitimate threat in coverage. That also allows him to play sideline to sideline, taking great angles in pursuit. He has good instincts and reaction time to get to his spots once he diagnoses a play as well, whether it's in coverage or fitting against the run.
Perkins is currently a bit undersized for an ILB at 220 pounds, but the athleticism and instincts will make him an absolute game wrecker at the position for LSU now that he's had a full season of experience at the position.
Emery Jones Jr., Offensive Tackle
Campbell has a chance to be a star left tackle at the NFL level, while Emery Jones Jr. has a chance at being a starting-caliber tackle or guard once he goes pro.
Jones has played opposite of Campbell, holding down the right tackle spot for LSU. He has a similar frame to Campbell at a 6-foot-6, 322-pound tackle, but wins far more in the trenches thanks to his play strength. When his pads are low, he can completely dominate the point of attack to drive defenders backwards and open up rushing lanes.
In pass pro, Jones has a strong anchor and hands to latch onto rushers. However, slow feet and stiff hips could have him struggling against more explosive pass rushers at the NFL level..
Jones still has a bit to prove on tape in 2024, but has a real shot at being a first-round pick.
Other Names to Know: QB Garrett Nussmeier, WR CJ Daniels, TE Mason Taylor, CB Denver Harris, S Major Burns
