Greg Penn III looks to shine in Blake Baker’s new LSU defense

Linebacker Greg Penn III is a bit of an outlier in that, barring an unforeseen injury this season, he will complete his LSU career in four consecutive seasons in 2024.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, the former 4-star prospect and the 11th ranked inside linebacker in the 2021 class had many good college options. Prior to deciding on the Tigers, he considered Maryland, Florida State, South Carolina, Penn State, Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, Iowa, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M. The tradition of great linebackers who preceded him at LSU – Devin White, Patrick Queen, and Kwon Alexander – heavily influenced in his decision.

New LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who also serves as the linebackers coach, has a previous stint with the program as linebackers coach under Ed Orgeron back in 2021. Baker’s arrival that year coincided with Penn’s introduction to college football that same year.

“He’s a great person, a great family guy, and fun to be around,” Penn said about Baker. “Great guy to play for. He loves all of us. He’s hard on us. He pushes us hard. We adjusted to having a new face, hearing a new voice. I think it’s going to be a great year.”

Baker guided last season’s Missouri defense that ranked among the SEC’s best, allowing 20.8 points per game and slotting 11th nationally in sacks with 39. Three of his players earned first team All-SEC honors. In contrast, LSU’s defense surrendered 27.8 points per outing, ranking one notch above the cellar in the conference last season.

Many feel former defensive coordinator Matt House was not totally in sync with his players. Baker appears to be connecting well with the Tigers at his disposal this spring.

“It’s going pretty well; the defense is flying around and having fun,” Penn analyzed spring drills thus far. “I see a lot of energy from the guys on defense. Just trying to get better every day. I think we’re trying to build an identity of what we want to be. Coach Baker does a great job bringing energy to the linebacker room and to the entire defense. We’re playing with fire, with enthusiasm.”

That boost in attitude, Penn opines, has helped the defense stay consistent.

“We attack each day. We’re trying to improve, trying to stack days. Last year wasn’t the standard. We’re trying to form a new identity.”

During the 2021 campaign, Baker developed the Tigers’ linebacking corps, helping Damone Clark reach great heights with 135 tackles to rank second in the country and earn a Butkus Award finalist spot. Clark is now a starter for the Dallas Cowboys.

The linebacker room is far from bare. Collectively, Penn, Harold Perkins, West Weeks, Whit Weeks, Christian Braitwaite, Jaxon Howard and Bradyn Swinson account for 72 games worth of experience from last season, along with 269 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

“We have great depth,” Penn stated. “We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things. We’re all going to play to our strengths. Coach Baker will put us in a position to be successful, and we’ll do well. As a whole, we’re not having to think as much. There is more reaction, more guys flying around. We’re playing to our strengths.”

One player who has garnered a great deal of attention is Harold Perkins. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior possesses 4.45 speed, superb instincts and quick change-of-direction skills. He is an ideal fit as a Tampa 2 middle linebacker. He accelerates to the ball and takes great angles.

Through 1,171 defensive snaps as a Tiger, Perkins has collected 148 tackles, 58 pressures, 30 quarterback hurries, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks. After being moved around frequently his first two seasons, his alignment inside this scheme seems like a perfect fit.

“Perk could have done it (last year),” Penn noted about his talented running mate. “He’s a great player. He’s very smart. He could play anywhere on the field, if he put his mind to it. He could play any position. It will be a smooth transition. He has a little experience playing (inside) because he played some there last spring. He’s not having to think as much.”

Penn has started 27 of the past 28 games in the Purple and Gold. He has made 37 game appearances, tallying 178 career stops, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and a pair of interceptions.

Baker has tutored Penn as to how both he and Perkins can improve their games. One emphasis is not engaging with big offensive linemen.

“Coach Baker tells us not to tussle with 330-pounders if you don’t have to. Perk is really fast. He needs to use that speed to his advantage. Coach Baker gives us tips. Perk is a faster guy. I’m a little stronger and can use my hands.”

Expectations and standards will be elevated as spring football progresses and summer workouts arrive.

Besides adding Baker, LSU head coach Brian Kelly has revamped the entire defensive staff. Former Tiger defensive lineman Bo Davis was brought on board to handle the defensive line. The 30-year coaching veteran has spent time coaching in the NFL with the Lions and Dolphins, and Davis also has a history of developing college talent. He boasts 17 former all-conference selections and seven All-Americans on his resume’.

Corey Raymond spent 13 years coaching at LSU previously, and 2024 marks his third stint at “DBU.” The former LSU defensive back has coached first team All-Americans in the secondary.

Jake Olsen, who coached the linebackers at Missouri last season, will handle the safeties at LSU. He was an analyst for the Bengal Tigers in 2021.

Kevin Peoples will tutor the edge rushers for the Tigers. During his time as a defensive line coach at Tulane (2016-2019), four of his pupils made it to the NFL – Cameron Sample, Patrick Johnson, Tanzel Smart and Ade Aruna.

Baker was an overachiever as a linebacker at Tulane over two decades ago. The 5’10”, 236-pound thumper tallied 145 career stops with 14 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks in 42 contests for the Green Wave. As a coach, he is meticulous to detail.

Former Tulane quarterback Lester Ricard recalls Baker as one who focused on the little things to achieve success. “He will have them prepared. He is a detail-oriented guy. If he says six inches, it better not be 5 1/2 inches.”

For an LSU defense expected to improve after a substandard year, attention to every detail cannot hurt the cause.