The LSU football defense is back. The LSU defense of the 2020s has been inconsistent and sometimes downright bad. But after an influx of talent, Brian Kelly and LSU DC Blake Baker rebuilt the unit.
LSU made a statement in game one, defeating Clemson 17-10. LSU held Clemson to 1.6 yards per carry. LSU’s front seven was in Cade Klubnik’s face all night, and cornerback Mansoor Delane was dominant in man coverage. LSU got star performances from all three levels of the defense.
Advertisement
The Clemson offense was, and still is, expected to be among the best offenses in the country. For LSU to limit Clemson’s offense in the way it did says a lot about this Tiger defense. This unit is good enough to have LSU contending for the College Football Playoff and maybe even a national title.
Here are PFF’s top five graded LSU defenders from the Tigers’ week one win over Clemson.
5. Harold Perkins — 71.0
Harold Perkins looked like a five-star talent on Saturday night. All offseason, we’ve heard that Perkins is comfortable in his new role and it sure looked like that vs. Clemson. Perkins notched three pressures and four tackles. He made the game-sealing play when he got after Klubnik on a pivotal fourth down. Perkins’ 2024 ended early after he tore his ACL, but he looked completely healthy in week one.
Advertisement
4. AJ Haulcy — 71.1
Haulcy only played the second half after an ejection in the final game of 2024 carried over to 2025, but when Haulcy was out there, he made an impact. Haulcy was LSU’s No. 4-ranked defender, according to PFF. The safety was one of the top-ranked transfers at his position, and Haulcy lived up to that billing on Saturday.
3. Bernard Gooden — 73.6
Gooden’s pass-rush speed was discussed all summer. Brian Kelly and Blake Baker continually mentioned the athleticism he brought to LSU’s front. It didn’t take long for Gooden to put those tools on display with four pressures vs. Clemson.
Advertisement
2. Patrick Payton — 74.9
Per 247Sports, Payton was the top-ranked defender of LSU’s transfer class. Payton had to battle for a starting spot, but he exceeded all expectations in week one. Payton registered two pressures, a stop, and a batted pass. He was a problem for the Clemson offensive line.
1. Mansoor Delane — 81.3
Delane was the star of the night for LSU. Blake Baker finally has a cornerback he trusts to play man on the outside. Clemson threw Delane’s way eight times, but the veteran corner only allowed a single catch. Delane was also responsible for LSU’s only turnover of the night, picking off Cade Klubnik in the second half.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Ranking LSU football’s top five defenders from week one
