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LSU expected big things from Maason Smith in 2022, but the defensive lineman sustained a season-ending torn left ACL in the first game of the season against Florida State.

But Smith had good news on Sunday, sharing on Instagram that he has been “fully cleared” to return to football activities.

The 6-foot-6 Smith, a Louisiana native, was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2021.

As a freshman in 2021, he played in nine games and made 19 tackles (five for loss) with four sacks. He earned freshman All-America honors.

Speaking to reporters in March, head coach Brian Kelly emphasized just what a healthy Smith would mean to the Tigers.

“It’ll be immense,” Kelly said, per On3. “Look, we had great edge presence last year, it was pretty obvious. … But you could fan one side and chip or move the back to the other because we didn’t have a great inside pass-rush presence.

“Now you put Maason to the inside? If you do that this year, I don’t know how many sacks he’ll have. You can’t single block him.”

LSU opens the season on Sept. 3, again against Florida State. The game will be played in Orlando, Fla.

–Field Level Media