Pair of LSU football stars named to Butkus Award watchlist for 2025 season
The annual trophy is presented to the nation's top linebacker. The last player from LSU to take it home was Devin White in 2018. He led the team with 123 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hurries.
Weeks and Perkins with return from injuries for their third full seasons in Baton Rouge. Weeks went down with multiple lower-body injuries during the 2024 bowl game, while Perkins left the week four game against UCLA with a knee injury. The pair will lead a defensive front seven entering 2025 with high expectations in year two under defensive coordinator Blake Baker.
Last year, Weeks ranked top five in the SEC in multiple categories. Another step forward in his production would make him a favorite to win the Butkus Award. He ranked second in the conference with 125 tackles while also adding 10 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Perkins had 17 tackles through four games played in 2024. He showed flashes of his elite abilities in 2022 before being moved to inside linebacker the following year. He'll assume the STAR position in Baker's system, utilizing his versatility as a pass rusher while also dropping in coverage and playing the spy.
Perkins and Weeks both enjoyed on-schedule recoveries and were present for day one of LSU's fall camp.
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