The Return: What To Expect From Maason Smith in Week 2

Smith will suit up for the first time since 2022, make an immediate impact for the Tigers.

LSU star defensive lineman Maason Smith will return on Saturday against Grambling State when the Tigers suit up for their home opener.

For Smith, it will be the first time in 12 months that he's laced up for LSU, but coach Brian Kelly wants to set realistic expectations. 

It'll be an emotional night for Smith but a night where he slowly eases back into things. 

“I think we have to be realistic that when you haven’t played in over a year, he’s not going to be able to play the duration of the game," Kelly said on Wednesday. "If we can get somewhere near 30 snaps we’d be really excited about that. He’s practicing for us but it’s going to take a little bit of time. Hopefully we can get somewhere in that range of quality snaps from him and give him a chance to impact the game.”

The Tigers will receive an immediate boost once Smith is back in the mix. Last week it was an impressive start for this group with an assortment of guys making an impact.

It started with Mekhi Wingo. The second-year Tiger played a pivotal role for Matt House’s defense, ultimately coming out as the highest graded defensive lineman in Week 1, according to PFF.

Wingo played 66 snaps with four tackles and four quarterback pressures. He got in the backfield on several reps, forcing two incompletions while adding two quarterback hits.

Along with Wingo, it was a solid day for Oregon transfer Bradyn Swinson. Swinson emerged towards the end of Fall Camp, taking significant reps late, and made an impact during his snaps on Sunday.

In only 26 snaps, Swinson added five tackles for the Tigers with three quarterback pressures and one tackle for loss.

Now, LSU brings Smith back into the fold, a player who can provide versatility up front while adding a different element alongside Wingo. 

“He obviously impacts our defense, he allows us to do different things," Kelly said on Tuesday. "He’s a guy that can play the five technique, can play the three, the one, his flexibility on our defense provides a new dimension that we’re excited about getting him back."