When it comes to the Heisman Trophy, defensive players are often overlooked in favor of their offensive counterparts. Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers tend to dominate the award's history. However, there is one exception that stands out in the 88-year history of the Trophy: Michigan's Charles Woodson, who secured the prestigious accolade in 1997.
Recently, Michigan had another defensive standout in Aidan Hutchinson, who made it to the Heisman finalist list two years ago. Nonetheless, it's evident that defensive players aspiring to win the Heisman face an uphill battle.
Yet, in the upcoming season, LSU's Harold Perkins may just have a shot at breaking this trend. Perkins, a standout linebacker, emerged as a true freshman and caught the attention of college football fans nationwide.
During his freshman campaign, Perkins recorded an impressive 72 tackles, including 13 for loss, along with 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. These outstanding numbers earned him recognition as a First Team All-SEC and Freshman All-American.
Andy Staples, an esteemed college football analyst from On3, believes that Perkins has what it takes to become the first defensive Heisman winner since Woodson.
Staples emphasize that if LSU performs exceptionally well, Perkins could be the standout player on the team, potentially even surpassing the current Heisman favorite, Jayden Daniels.
LSU seems to be broadening Perkins' role, utilizing him as an off-ball linebacker in addition to his primary pass-rushing duties from last season. This versatility could transform Perkins into a formidable defensive weapon, comparable to the likes of the Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons.
Ultimately, only time will reveal if Perkins can maintain the necessary level of performance to sustain Heisman discussions. Nevertheless, he has undoubtedly piqued the interest of football enthusiasts nationwide, who will be closely monitoring his progress throughout the upcoming fall season.
