Alabama zeroing in on shutting down this dominant LSU defender

Alabama will have its hands full with Jayden Daniels this Saturday, but its offense is going to need to be zeroed in on shutting down one of the bright young players in the SEC.

LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. was a major point of discussion this week for the Crimson Tide as it hopes to slow him down off the edge, but the offense will need to key in on wherever the Tigers line him up on the field.

“He makes plays all over the place,” Nick Saban said on Wednesday. “This guy’s a really, really good athlete, really good player, very explosive. Sometimes they play him out in the apex. He’s a great blitzer. He can play like Star and reroute people and make plays in the passing game. Sometimes he plays in the box. Sometimes he plays on the edge. He’s got great first-step quickness. He’s a good pass rusher. That’s why he has so many tackles for loss and sacks and things like that.

“But I think this guy is one of the most dynamic players in our league.”

Through eight games this season, Perkins has recorded 26 total tackles three sacks and 13 total pressures. He was also one of the key players from last season who contributed to LSU’s upset win over Alabama which ended its hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff.

Preparing to face Perkins is no easy task and Saban believes it’s borderline impossible to simulate what he can do at practice.

“If we had someone that could play like him, they’d be playing,” Saban said. “So they wouldn’t be on scout team. So we do the best we can, and I think our guys do a really good job — both sides of the ball — trying to give a good look to the defensive players. But it’s hard to simulate. It’s hard to be that deep on your team to be able to simulate.”

Even if Alabama isn’t getting Perkins’ look at practice throughout the week, it’s clear that he’s been an emphasis in the preparation and his presence will need to be neutralized by the line.

Alabama will kickoff against LSU inside Bryant-Denny Stadium at 6:45 p.m. with CBS on the call.