Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Schad of ESPN is reporting that LSU linebacker Kevin Minter will enter the 2013 NFL Draft.
LSU LB Kevin Minter (#3 LB/#33 overall) will enter the next NFL draft according to source
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 3, 2013
Minter is coming off a 19 tackle performance against Clemson in a 25-24 losing effort. 2012 was breakout year for the 6-foot-2, 245 pound linebacker. He spent much of 2011 splitting reps with Karnell Hatcher and was largely overshadowed by the presence of star cornerbacks Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne. In 2012, Minter became the star. He outperformed a star studded defense on his way to 130 tackles, 4 sacks, and 15 tackles for loss. The unassuming Minter was voted Team MVP by his teammates. A group that included Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Bennie Logan, and Eric Reid.
Aside from Minter’s ballhawking tackling prowess, he showed he could defend the pass, which will intrigue scouts at the next level. Minter is widely regarded as a top 40 prospect but I have a hard time seeing him falling out of round one, especially given the needs at ILB for teams drafting late.
Minter was lauded by coaches and teammates for his leadership abilities. Head coach Les Miles had this to say about Minter following his 19 tackle performance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. “Kevin Minter is an all-in guy,” Miles said. “Just a great leader, a great player, Instinctive.”
It’s no wonder that Miles and Defensive Coordinator John Chavis put on the full court press to keep Minter at LSU. With the potential losses of Mingo, Montgomery, Logan, and Reid the 2013 Tigers defense could be in for trouble. There loss is the NFL’s gain in Minter’s case.
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