Texas A&M Week 13 Opponent Preview: LSU Defensive Players to Watch

How many national pundits and top-notch analysts saw LSU winning the SEC West Year 1 under Brian Kelly? Better yet, how many fans in Baton Rouge believed in the former Notre Dame head coach after his rag-tag Foghorn Leghorn impression when he talked about his family?

Kelly proved to be the right fit for the Tigers right out of the gate, leading the program to its first 10-win season since 2019. Eyes were fixated on the offense as former Arizona State starter Jayden Daniels maneuvered his way through the SEC at quarterback, picking up wins over Alabama and Ole Miss at home.

Defensively, there was growth. Was it a perfect year in the bayou? Far from it based on the Tigers' standards. Still, Matt House was able to take a young unit and transform them into a top-30 defense with plenty of potential entering 2023.

That's what's in store for the Tigers entering September: potential. Freshmen standouts are a year older and more seasoned. Veteran talent returns to the defensive line and safety spots. One of the top defensive talents in the country missed the entire season with a torn ACL and is back at full strength for 2023.

No, the Tigers aren't without faults. They still have holes at cornerback, mainly in terms of experience. The pass rush was stagnant last season, often going drives without adding a single pressure in the backfield. And despite being one of the conference's better units, LSU allowed opponents to convert on third down 39 percent of the time.

Still, it's LSU. Expectations are to contend for national titles, not conference ones. Kelly showed what he could do with a flawed roster that was aching for proven talent. What can he produce with an entire offseason and more nuanced team?

Texas A&M will learn firsthand when it travels across state lines in what could decide more than bragging rights heading into the offseason come Week 13.

Follow along with AllAggies.com as we preview every aspect of A&M's matchup with the Tigers throughout the week. Before diving in, here's a quick overview of the essential things to know before kickoff at Tiger Stadium on Nov. 25.

Now, let's take a look at name of several defensive names for the Tigers

Defensive Leaders

LB Harold Perkins Jr.

Defense: 72 tackles, 13 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 1 INT

Formerly an A&M commit, Perkins is a weapon rather than a linebacker. He can blitz, play in coverage, defend the run and ruin a quarterback's day when asked to play the spy role. The sophomore was named a preseason first-team All-American by the AP Poll Monday and should be the favorite to take home SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in December with another standout campaign.

S Greg Brooks Jr.

Defense: 63 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3.0 pass breakups, 2 INT

Brooks is the leader in returning interception production this season, hauling in two picks last fall. A transfer from Arkansas, Brooks also totaled eight tackles against the Aggies at Kyle Field last season.

DL Maason Smith

Defense: N/A

The biggest what-if for the Tigers was how better the defense could have been if Smith hadn't suffered a torn ACL in Week 1's loss to Florida State. The 6-6, 300-pound defensive tackle was poised for a breakout sophomore season, but that ended before the final whistle blew in New Orleans.

The good news for LSU is the injury happened on Labor Day weekend. Smith will be nearly a year removed from the injury and should be ready to make up for lost time off the initial snaps. He's an enforcer in the run game with nimble feet and violent hands that can easily become effective on pass-rushing sets. Scouts believe Smith already is worth the first-round hype even with the lack of production based on traits alone.

DL Mekhi Wingo

Defense: 47 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 5 QB hurries, 4 pass breakups

Unlike Smith, Wingo already has proven his value under House's defensive front. After transferring from Missouri, the defensive tackle went on to tally 46 tackles and three sacks in his sophomore season. He established himself as one of the nation's top run defenders and now will be playing alongside Smith instead of in his place.

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