UL Defense: Freshman Linebacker Earns Early Playing Time

Louisiana's defensive front has gained an unexpected contributor in true freshman linebacker Harrison Kidder. The Baton Rouge native has established himself as a reliable option for head coach Michael Desormeaux since the start of the fall season.

Desormeaux identified Kidder as a standout during August camp, noting that the player is physical, fast, and intelligent. The coach stated that the staff is excited by Kidder's ability to handle responsibilities in various groups. "He's physical, he's fast and he's smart," Desormeaux said. "He's handled everything no matter what group we've put him in there with."

Kidder, a former standout at Catholic High, chose Louisiana over offers from Air Force and Navy. He cited the coaching staff and his comfort with the location as primary factors in his decision. "Louisiana was my best offer," Kidder said. "I loved the coaches. I loved the place here, so it was an obvious choice."

The transition from high school to the collegiate playbook required immediate adaptation. Kidder focused on understanding the system during the summer to prepare for camp. "The amount of stuff that we have, it just takes some time," he explained. "I was able to put the work in and get to know the system. That was the biggest adjustment."

Although Kidder played primarily in space during his high school career, the coaching staff placed him in the box. They identified a fit for the Sam linebacker position and later had him cross train at the Mike position. This positional flexibility allowed him to contribute across the defense.

Special teams provided Kidder with his initial on-field opportunities. He participated in kickoff and punt blocking, as well as coverage units. He described the role as enjoyable because it allowed him to play freely and quickly. "It's really fun, honestly," Kidder said. "You get to run down on kickoff and just hit somebody.. It just kind of, you get to play free and fast and it is really fun."

Kidder credits linebacker coach Scott Stoker and Jim Salgado for his development. He described Stoker as highly knowledgeable and appreciated the mentorship provided during the summer and fall camps. The veteran players in the linebacker room, including Jake St. Andre, Conor McPherson, and Micah Johnson, also served as role models. "We're all just trying to get better and all trending up," Kidder noted.

Through the season, Kidder has recorded nine tackles. His contributions include a fourth-down stop that ended a Southern Miss drive in the red zone and a fumble recovery on a punt that set up Louisiana's first score against Troy. He noted that the mental demands of college football differ from high school, particularly regarding the pace of play and offensive motions.