LSU Tigers Confirm Another Departure After Top DL Declares His Joining Of The NFL Draft

LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith has officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after three seasons in Baton Rouge.

Smith, a former five-star prospect out of Louisiana, caps off his LSU career after playing just two seasons with the Bayou Bengals, missing the 2022 season after suffering a torn ACL in the season opener.

In 2023, he tallied 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two pass breakups in 12 games.

Before the season, Smith told the media of his journey to get back to 100%.

“There have been ups and downs, but the last couple of weeks I’ve been steadily getting better,” Smith said. “For me it was just getting back to who I am and who I know I can be. It was just getting the rust off and now with coach Jenkins teaching me good technique and how to act and think right it will go a long way for me. I’m comfortable to know I’m prepared now.”

Smith was a 2021 Freshman All-American. He totaled 19 tackles, 5.0 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks in nine games played.

Smith joins LSU DT Mekhi Wingo and Jordan Jefferson as interior defensive linemen to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Wingo, who started the first seven games of the season, suffered a season-ending injury, but returned for the Tigers’ ReliaQuest Bowl showdown on Jan. 1.

The heartbeat of LSU’s defensive line had 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks on the season. He made three tackles and two sacks against Wisconson in the 35-31 win on Monday to give LSU a 10-win season.

For Wingo, it was an impressive two-year stint in Baton Rouge. After transferring to LSU from Missouri in 2022, he earned Second Team All-SEC honors on his way to winning over the Tigers locker room.

Fast forward to his second season in Death Valley and Wingo was awarded the coveted No. 18 jersey for the purple and gold.

In 2021 at Missouri, Wingo tallied 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and an interception he returned for a touchdown against North Texas.

During his senior campaign at DeSmet High School, Wingo totaled 54 tackles as a senior in a COVID-shortened 2020 season. That followed a tremendous 2019 season when he had 97 tackles including 29 for loss and 15 sacks.

Now, he’s off to the NFL Draft after a standout college campaign with both Missouri and LSU.