#18 Greg Penn III Season 2024
2024 ReliaQuest Bowl “Make It Possible” Award
Developing into an all-around outstanding linebacker for the Tigers … A team leader and a veteran on the LSU defense … Recipient of the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl “Make It Happen” Award, given to the player who typifies leadership both on and off the field … Has started 27 of LSU’s last 28 games … Enters fourth season with the Tigers and returns as LSU’s second-leading tackler from a year ago with 89 … Has shown consistent improvement since arriving on campus for the 2021 season … In position to take his game to the next level with the arrival of defensive coordinator Blake Baker … An every-down linebacker with good speed and the ability to make plays sideline-to-sideline … Tremendous practice player and was praised as such by former LSU All-America Damone Clark, who blossomed under Baker’s tutelage in 2021 … 37 career appearances with 27 starts … 178 career tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks … Intercepted first 2 passes of his career in 2023 … Majoring in sports administration.
JUNIOR SEASON (2023)
Has as good a season as any defender for the Tigers in 2023, ranking second on the team with 89 tackles to go along with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks … Added a pair of interceptions in what was his best season to date … Had 3 games with double-digit tackles – 12 vs. Arkansas, 11 at Ole Miss, 10 at Alabama … Recorded career-best 12 tackles and a sack for a 5-yard loss vs. Arkansas … In his 2 career starts vs. Arkansas – both wins – has combined for 22 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Followed Arkansas performance with 11 tackles at Ole Miss … Had first career interception against Grambling … Other interception was game-changer in win over Texas A&M … Down 24-21 early in fourth quarter, he picked off an Aggie pass at the LSU 39-yard line … LSU responded with a touchdown 3 plays later to take the lead for good at 28-24 … Added 7 tackles and a sack for a 2-yard loss vs. Texas A&M … Capped season with 7 tackles, a sack for a 3-yard loss and a forced fumble in win over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl … Sack came on Wisconsin’s final play as the Badgers were attempting to come back from a 35-31 deficit … Ranked second among all defenders with 795 snaps as he rarely left the field for the second straight season … Added another 112 plays on special teams.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2022)
Started all 14 games for the Tigers, rarely leaving the field … Second on team in tackles with 78 … Added 6 tackles for loss (-15 yards) … Recovered fumble in win over Southern … Best game of career came in win at Arkansas with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup … Against Arkansas, the Tiger defense limited the Razorbacks to a season-lows for points (10), passing yards (116) and total yards (249) … Had 9 tackles at Texas A&M and 8 against both Tennessee and UAB … In win at Auburn, had 4 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, as well as a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup … Closed season with 6 tackles in Citrus Bowl win over Purdue … Opened season with 7 tackles vs. Florida State, tying a career-best at the time.
TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2021)
Appeared in 10 games, starting the Texas Bowl against Kansas State … Made the most of that opportunity, recording a career-best 7 tackles … Had 2 tackles against UCLA in his collegiate debut … Posted 2 stops against Ole Miss … Finished year with 11 tackles … Also contributed on special teams.
HIGH SCHOOL
Prepped at powerhouse Dematha Catholic School in Hyattsville, Maryland … Listed as a four-star prospect by 247 Sports, Rivals and ESPN … Rated as the nation’s No. 11 inside linebacker and the 10th best player in the state of Maryland in the 247 Sports Composite … Named to Butkus Award High School watch list prior to the 2020 season.
GREG PENN’S CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 12 vs. Arkansas, 2023
Tackles for loss: 2.5 at Arkansas, 2022
Sacks: 1, 4x (Last: vs. Wisconsin, 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl; First: vs. Arkansas, 2023)
Interceptions: 1, 2x (Last: vs. Texas A&M, 2023; First: vs. Grambling, 2023)