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LSU Football: How do the Tigers replace injured DL Maason Smith?

By Matt Melton

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Ken Seals #8 of the Vanderbilt Commodores is pursued by Jaquelin Roy #99 of the LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 03, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Ken Seals #8 of the Vanderbilt Commodores is pursued by Jaquelin Roy #99 of the LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 03, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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In the midst of LSU Football’s 24-23 season opening loss Sunday night, the Tigers also received a injury update that sophomore defensive lineman Maason Smith would miss the remainder of the 2022 season with an injury.

A former five-star recruit, Smith was expected to be a significant piece of LSU’s defensive front this season, one that would’ve likely translated to a breakout 2022 campaign for the sophomore. With the former five-star now set to miss the remainder of the season however, how does LSU replace the production of Smith going forward?

Here are three names to watch for along LSU’s defensive line that could play key roles in doing that across the remainder of the season.

3 LSU Football players who could play key roles in replacing injured DL Maason Smith

Mekhi Wingo

Wingo, an offseason transfer from Missouri, was already expected to be a key name along LSU’s defensive line entering this season, but expectations surrounding the sophomore are likely even bigger now. A 2021 SEC All-Freshman selection, Wingo is now arguably the biggest name along the Tigers interior defensive line going forward, and assuming the sophomore has more performances similar to that of Sunday night (6 tackles, 1 FR vs Florida State), the Missouri transfer is likely set for a big 2022 season in Baton Rouge.

Jaquelin Roy 

Roy has been a key name along LSU Football’s defensive line each of the past two seasons, and that will be no different in 2022, especially after the injury to Smith. The junior collected a total of three tackles against Florida State in Week 1, and is likely set for yet another career-year along the Tigers defensive line, with the play of Roy likely key to LSU’s defensive front overall going forward.

Jacobian Guillory

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A redshirt sophomore, Guillory was primarily a depth option for the Tigers along the defensive line a year ago, collecting a total of nine tackles. Collecting one tackle in the game against Florida State as well, the injury to Smith likely increases the amount of action that Guillory sees in 2022, as well as potentially others such as Bryce Langston and Tygee Hill.

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