Jersey numbers hold extensive history for many teams. Many great players have passed down college jerseys like a rite of passage for talented players handing the torch to the next generation.
No. 1, No. 7 and No. 10 are numbers consistently given to each team’s best players. For LSU, one number seemingly sticks out as a foundation for talented linebackers: No. 40.
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Duke Riley
As the first talented linebacker in recent history to brandish the No. 40 jersey for LSU, Riley held onto his number for the entirety of his collegiate career. During that time, Riley was named team captain and team MVP in 2016.
Riley opened the gates to the prestige the No. 40 jersey would soon be followed with. After being drafted in the third round to the Atlanta Falcons, Riley passed the torch to one of LSU’s greatest linebackers of all time: Devin White.
Devin White
White entered his freshman season in 2017, following in Riley’s footsteps as the next player to wear No. 40. He took the jersey to an entirely different level, becoming one of LSU’s most decorated players.
White was twice named First Team All-Southeastern Conference, First Team All-American and was awarded the Butkus Award in 2018 before being drafted No. 5 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent his entire LSU career under the No. 40 jersey, solidifying its status as a legendary linebacker jersey.
Harold Perkins
Following White, Perkins entered his freshman year with impossible shoes to fill. Given the No. 40 jersey, he made his case as one of LSU’s most talented linebackers.
In his LSU career so far, Perkins has solidified himself as a top 10 player in the country, being named LSU Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC and a Freshman All-American.
In his one year under the No. 40 jersey, Perkins Jr. became the backbone of a new age LSU team, further establishing the prestige of the jersey. As he continues to excel this season under No. 4, the No. 40 jersey has found a home under a new talented linebacker.
Whit Weeks
As the current holder of No. 40, Weeks has impressed as a true freshman in the defensive rotation. Boasting a total of 34 tackles and three tackles for loss in six games, Weeks has only started three games for the Tigers.
Following the injury of Omar Speights, Weeks has emerged as a bright spot for the future in the linebacker role. LSU’s defense has seldom been positive this season and consistently been the point of criticism, but Weeks’ performances so far show his promising outlook.
“He’s a high-energy guy. The defense feeds off him and that speaks a lot about him as a person. He’s a freshman on defense, starting in the SEC, and the guys around you are gelling to you like you’ve been here forever,” running back Logan Diggs said before LSU’s game against Ole Miss.
As the season continues, Weeks continues to impress with his hustle and open field tackling. Following in the footsteps of the great linebackers before him, Weeks brandishes the prestigious No. 40 jersey well, and he could continue that legacy in the coming years.