We’ve seen the flashes, but can they put it all together? For LSU to have a big season, they need big time production from linebacker Harold Perkins and wide receiver Chris Hilton.
Both players are talented, but injuries, misuse and in Hilton’s case playing behind future first round draft picks, the duo have yet to put a full season together.
For Hilton this is it, his fifth and final season of eligibility. He’s dealt with injuries his entire career. The former Zachary star was expected to be a big part of last year’s offense, but a leg injury as preseason camp was coming to close, resulting in Hilton missing the first seven games of the season.
Hilton goes into Saturday’s season opener at Clemson healthy.
“Coming into fall camp the main goal was to be healthy, that’s what I prayed for, that’s what I fasted for, and made it through fall camp healthy,” Hilton said. “Now we are on to game week, so that’s further than I got last year, I’m more than ready and I can’t wait until Saturday.”
Perkins hasn’t played since last September when he tore his ACL in his knee on a steamy afternoon in a win over UCLA.
Perkins took the rehab seriously and there will be no restrictions when he plays against Clemson.
After trying to make Perkins an inside linebacker, LSU and Perkins believe they finally have him playing a position that allows him to be disruptor, where he can make game-changing plays.
Perkins is playing the STAR position in Blake Baker’s defense. That means he’ll get to rush the passer off the edge, and he’ll also drop back in coverage.
“I feel it just gives me a chance to show what I can do as far as being versatile, covering, blitzing, whatever, I always felt I can do it all,” Perkins said.