Neil

Farrell

Farrell’s (6'4"/325) versatility on the defensive front is what going to get teams interested. He has the size to play in a 3-4 defense and deliver pressure to the quarterback but also has the speed to play back in a 4-3 to stop the run. The stats prove it as he had 45 total tackles, 9.5 for loss, two sacks in 2021, and his 57 defensive stops have been the most by an SEC defensive lineman since 2019. He’ll definitely gain some team’s interest for a possible Day 2 pick.

Farrell (6'4"/325) had the best season of his college career in 2021, racking up 45 total tackles, 9.5 for loss and two sacks. He’s got positional versatility, able to play as a 4-3 DT or DE and should be able to play in a 3-4 as well. He’s one of the top nose tackles in the nation, so it makes sense to prepare for the draft.

Farrell (6'4/298) had originally stated that he would opt out due to concern for his grandmother’s health in the midst of the current pandemic. His return is welcomed considering LSU lost several impact players from their 2019 defense. For his part Farrell is the fourth leading returning tackler on the team with 46 tackles, 3 sacks and a PBU last season. Farrell will look to slide into the defensive end rotation when LSU hosts Mississippi State on September 26th.

No specific word as to the injury concern, here, but Coach O said that the 6-foot-4, 298-pound Farrell could get back into things in full about two weeks into spring practice. The senior lineman will likely be in the conversation for a 2020 starting role assuming he can get himself right. This past season, Farrell registered 46 tackles (7.0 for loss) and three sacks.

“Last ride baby … Gotta make my last season my best one. Let’s go get another (ring),” Farrell tweeted. A top-200 recruit in the 2016 class, Farrell isn’t the biggest returning name to LSU’s defense, but he has an argument for both most underrated and biggest breakout candidate of the veterans in 2020. Farrell has become a big factor in the run game -- with a strong PFF run-defense grade of 83.7 -- and his pass-rushing, while lagging behind, has improved every year on campus. Another step forward in that category, certainly possible when noting the uptick in his havoc numbers, would improve his NFL Draft outlook in kind.

Similar to teammate Tyrion Davis-Price, it isn’t certain as to why Farrell (6'4/298) missed practice. He played often and well in LSU’s game against Northwestern State on Saturday. Farrell is currently one of seven Tigers defenders with at least one sack this season. Expect to hear an update on Farrell’s absence in the next couple days.

Adding fuel to that flip-fire, Farrell is fresh off an official visit to the Seminoles which he took over the weekend. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder ranks as Rivals’ No. 28 defensive tackle prospect in the current cycle. Scout.com notes that he “redirects well and shows good discipline against the run” and that “he can finish plays with violence once reaching the ball carrier.” He must continue to hone his technique and quickness off the snap.