With the NFL draft approaching, there will be numerous LSU players selected, such as Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. 
However, outside of those top prospects, not many other Tigers have gotten traction for the draft. Here are some names other names that could hear their names called for some potential teams. 
Maason Smith
Smith is an intriguing prospect. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound defense lineman had an up-and-down career at LSU.
Coming to the program ranked as the No. 1 player in Louisiana and No. 31 in the country, the five-star from Houma was projected to make an immediate impact for LSU, and he did. 
In his freshman season, Smith racked up four sacks in nine games and earned multiple accolades, including being named Freshman All-America in 2021 and Freshman All-SEC. With his tremendous size and strength, he had everything you would want from a young defensive lineman.
Expectations were high for his sophomore season, but unfortunately, he tore his ACL during the first game of the season against Florida State. Smith returned for his junior season, and it was clear that he took a step back after the injury.
In the seven games he appeared, he totaled 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Rather than staying for another year, he decided to declare for the draft and has risen in a lot of mock drafts.
Smith is projected to go between the second and third rounds, but has even had some potential to go in the first round. The intangibles that Smith brings to the table are the reason why he’s on a lot of team boards. 
Teams like the Giants, Bengals, Jaguars and Bills have expressed their interest in the defensive lineman and believe he can work his way up to a potential starting role in the NFL. 
Mekhi Wingo
Wingo began his career with a different SEC team, Missouri. He played the entire regular season in 2021, and in those 12 games, he added 27 tackles, a sack and an interception. And just like his future teammate Smith, he earned himself a spot on the SEC Freshman All-SEC team.
Wingo decided to enter his name in the transfer portal after the 2021 season, and with an LSU that needed help with its defensive line, he chose LSU to continue his career.
In his first year at LSU, he made his presence known by having 46 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, three sacks, four pass deflections, one forced fumble and two forced fumbles. 
After a good season for LSU, he was able to earn Second Team All-SEC and Third Team All-America. After recognizing who he was on and off the field, he was awarded No. 18, which is given to the player that best represents the traits of LSU football. He was due for a big season, and it showed.
In his final season, Wingo tallied 25 total tackles, five tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks, which was second on the team. The defense for the Tigers last season struggled immensely, but Wingo was one of the few bright spots.
However, Wingo did miss five games in the regular season because of a lower-body injury that required surgery but did play in the bowl game against Wisconsin, where he had two sacks.
Wingo is projected to go in the fourth round of this year’s draft, and some of that has to do with his stature as a 6-foot, 284-pound defensive tackle. 
Although he is undersized, Wingo brings versatility, a great first step coming off the ball and a relentless motor. He has also shown the ability to blow pass blockers using his strength. 
Wingo also showed he was one of the more athletic defensive tackles in this year’s draft, ranking seventh in athleticism in this year’s combines. 
The NFL mock drafts have him projected for the fourth round, where a lot of options are open for him. Teams like the Raiders, Rams and Patriots, who have all expressed their need for a defensive tackle, could potentially see him landing in one of those spots. 
Andre’ Sam 
Similar to Wingo, Sam began his collegiate career at a different school, but for Sam, his journey was a unique one.
The Louisiana native played seven years of college football, starting his career as a walk-on with McNeese State, an FCS football program. After spending four years there and earning a scholarship, he graduated in 2021 and entered the transfer portal, committing to Marshall. During his time at McNeese, he was a two-time First Team All-Southland Conference player. 
In his one season with Marshall, he racked up 53 total tackles, seven pass deflections, one interception and one fumble recovery. His great play got the attention of teams like Tulane and LSU, but he ultimately committed to LSU, where he had a great season.
Sam recorded 82 total tackles, two pass deflections and three interceptions, which led the team. 
It was clear that Sam brought leadership and heart to the team. He had to take on a big role at LSU, especially with the performance of the secondary, but Sam has shown that he was one of the best players on defense. 
Sam is projected to go undrafted, but has reportedly attracted interest from the Las Vegas Raiders.