Along with significant transfers, Blake Baker of the LSU Tigers identifies crucial returning exceptional playmakers that might have a significant influence.

The LSU Tigers’ defense, long celebrated for its NFL-caliber talent and relentless aggression, is gearing up for a transformational season under the guidance of newly reappointed defensive coordinator Blake Baker. While the 2025 offseason has brought a flurry of activity in the transfer portal, including some headline-grabbing additions, Baker’s focus hasn’t strayed from what he considers the team’s greatest assets—its returning stars. These homegrown playmakers, now seasoned and battle-tested, form the core of a defensive unit poised to reclaim its fearsome identity in the SEC.

“It’s easy to talk about the new faces,” Baker said during spring camp. “But the real story is the guys who have already laid the foundation. These are the leaders. These are the tone-setters.”

With LSU striving for consistency after a rollercoaster 2024 season, Baker’s strategic blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent may be just what the Tigers need to compete at a championship level.

The LSU Tigers have been active on the transfer market this year, addressing pressing needs in the secondary, linebacking corps, and defensive line. Additions like former Arizona State cornerback Ed Woods, Clemson defensive tackle Payton Page, and Oregon State linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold have brought excitement and optimism to Baton Rouge.

But for Baker, the hype surrounding transfers comes with a caveat.

“These new guys bring depth and experience, no doubt,” he noted. “But for them to shine, they’ll need to integrate into a system that’s already built around certain returning leaders. That chemistry doesn’t just come from talent—it comes from trust.”

Here’s a look at the core returning playmakers Baker believes will define LSU’s defensive identity in 2025.

There’s no bigger name on this defense than Harold Perkins Jr., the dynamic linebacker whose explosive sophomore campaign solidified his status as a game-changer. Now a junior, Perkins is set to transition into the “STAR” hybrid position, a move that reflects Baker’s vision to maximize his versatility.

“Harold can change the game on any snap,” Baker said. “He’s not just fast and physical—he’s instinctive. Putting him at STAR allows us to use him in coverage, blitz packages, and run defense all in one. He’s going to be everywhere.”

Perkins racked up 85 tackles, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles last season. But beyond the stats, it’s his on-field presence that electrifies the team.

“He’s our spark,” said senior safety Major Burns. “When Harold makes a play, the whole stadium feels it.”

Returning after recovering from injury, Mekhi Wingo provides a crucial anchor on the defensive front. A 2023 All-SEC selection, Wingo’s return has brought stability and veteran leadership to a defensive line that’s undergoing change.

“We missed him more than people realized last year,” Baker said. “He does all the dirty work—double teams, eating blocks, collapsing the pocket. And he leads by example.”

At full health, Wingo is expected to pair with Payton Page to form one of the SEC’s most formidable interior duos. His ability to disrupt from the inside and plug running lanes is essential in a conference loaded with power rushing attacks.

At safety, Major Burns returns as a seasoned, vocal leader who’s earned the trust of coaches and teammates alike. After battling through nagging injuries in 2024, Burns is finally healthy and ready to quarterback the secondary.

“Major’s got one of the highest football IQs I’ve ever coached,” Baker stated. “He’s an extension of the coaching staff on the field. He gets guys lined up, makes checks, and he’s not afraid to get physical.”

Burns will be critical in mentoring a young and revamped defensive backfield that includes promising transfer Ed Woods and former 5-star recruit Javien Toviano. His return brings clarity and confidence to a unit that struggled with communication and big plays allowed last season.

One of 2024’s breakout stars, Whit Weeks returns with sky-high expectations. The rising sophomore finished last season with 92 tackles and showed rare range for a player his age. With his older brother West Weeks now in the mix as a veteran presence, Whit is free to roam and make plays.

“Whit’s football instincts are off the charts,” Baker said. “He’s already playing like a junior or senior. With another offseason in the weight room and film room, the sky’s the limit.”

With Perkins moving to the STAR, Weeks becomes the every-down linebacker in Baker’s 4-2-5 system, trusted to diagnose plays and flow sideline to sideline.

Sage Ryan has been something of a Swiss Army knife during his LSU career, playing nickel, safety, and even corner at times. For Baker, that flexibility is invaluable.

“He’s the kind of player who lets us disguise looks and keep offenses guessing,” Baker said. “Whether it’s covering a slot receiver or stepping into the box against the run, Sage does it all.”

Though his role fluctuated in 2024, Ryan enters this season as a defined piece in Baker’s new scheme. His experience and adaptability could be the glue that holds together a complex, aggressive defensive approach.

After a turbulent couple of seasons marred by injury, Mason Smith is determined to make a statement in 2025. Once projected as a first-round NFL pick, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive end has recommitted himself to fitness, explosiveness, and consistency.

“He’s healthy, hungry, and more mature,” Baker said. “There’s no doubt in my mind—if Mason puts it all together, he’s going to dominate.”

Smith’s reemergence adds depth and high-end upside to a defensive line that was thin last season. Early camp reports suggest he’s moving better than ever.

While the individual talent is impressive, Baker emphasizes that it’s the leadership of these returners that creates a championship culture.

“Leadership isn’t about rah-rah speeches. It’s about accountability,” he said. “It’s Harold dragging younger guys to extra film sessions. It’s Wingo showing how to take care of your body. It’s Major getting in someone’s face when they loaf on a rep.”

The ripple effect of strong leadership has already begun. True freshmen like Xavier Atkins and early enrollees from the 2025 class have raved about the example set by upperclassmen.

“They don’t treat us like freshmen,” Atkins said. “They treat us like teammates. But they expect us to work like veterans.”

Baker’s return to Baton Rouge brings with it a renewed emphasis on attacking schemes—multiple fronts, disguised pressures, and positional versatility. Unlike last year’s reactive style, Baker’s 2025 defense aims to dictate the tempo.

“We’re not sitting back,” he declared. “We’re coming downhill, playing fast, and making offenses adjust to us.”

This philosophy plays directly into the strengths of LSU’s returning playmakers. Perkins at STAR, Ryan as a rover, and Burns as the chess master in the secondary provide the flexibility to adapt and overwhelm.

Blake Baker isn’t just coaching for short-term results. His message to players is focused on legacy.

“LSU has a standard,” he said. “You walk into that stadium, and you see pictures of Tyrann Mathieu, Devin White, Patrick Peterson. Our guys want to be next.”

He’s also focused on development beyond stats. His goal is to prepare players for life beyond football, instilling discipline, preparation, and leadership that transcends the sport.

“Playing for LSU isn’t just about Saturdays in the fall,” Wingo added. “It’s about building something that lasts.”

In a college football landscape increasingly dominated by the transfer portal and NIL headlines, Blake Baker and the LSU Tigers are embracing a more balanced approach—one that blends incoming talent with returning excellence.

Yes, the transfers will matter. Ed Woods may stabilize the cornerback room. Payton Page could become a space-eater up front. But if LSU is to rise again as a defensive powerhouse, it will be because of players like Perkins, Wingo, Burns, and Weeks.

These are the players who stayed. These are the players who know what it means to bleed purple and gold. And in the eyes of Blake Baker, these are the players who can turn potential into something unforgettable.