The NFL Combine is a massive week for NFL Draft prospects. Most NFL teams have already completed their scouting process and watched all the tape on the prospects they’re interested in. The Combine is a week when these scouts confirm their priors — good or bad.
There are several former LSU football standouts attending the combine, and given the Tigers’ frustrating season, their tape may not be perfect. However, they can make up for that with a top-notch performance in Indianapolis, showcasing the talent their lack of team success masked in 2025. Here are three former Tigers for whom this event matters most:
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Mansoor Delane
Nov 15, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (4) reacts to a stop on fourth down against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Delane is in the conversation to be the No. 1 cornerback in this year’s draft class following his elite 2025 season at LSU. The only thing that might limit where he comes off the board is his lack of top-notch athleticism and size. He can’t change his arm length (reportedly around 30 inches — preferred is 32+), but if Delane performs well in the athletic testing, he can crack the top 10 in April.
Zavion Thomas
Thomas was never able to carve out a real role in the Tigers’ offense during his two seasons in Baton Rouge, which confused fans every time he was actually featured.
Thomas got his opportunity after former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan was dismissed, as Thomas recorded 25 targets, 21 catches, 208 receiving yards, and a touchdown over the team’s final four regular-season games.
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Thomas is expected to test well, but if he can stand out during the drills portion of the event, he could have some teams seeing him as more than just a gadget guy.
Harold Perkins Jr.
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 25: Linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers defends during the first half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
Perkins had an odd career at LSU, first looking like a future first-rounder after his First-Team All-SEC performance as a freshman, but he never returned to that level over the next three seasons. Despite the fact that Perkins wasn’t able to reach the level of play many expected from him, there is still some buzz around him heading into the draft.
The main reason for that is his exceptional athleticism, expected to run in the 4.4s at the combine. Teams are always willing to take a chance on linebackers with top-tier traits and pass-rush upside, so an impressive combine performance could go a long way for the former Tigers’ draft stock.
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This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Three LSU football stars with the most at stake at the NFL Combine
