The way the NFL is trending, we are going to see more off-ball linebackers who have plus upside in rushing the passer. These players will be viewed as swiss-army knives for a defensive coordinator and potential game wreckers. The 2027 NFL Draft has a premier option fitting this bill, and he hails from Ole Miss.
Suntarine Perkins has all the tools to be a top prospect in this class, but his declaration in the winter will prove his draft stock.
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 210 lbs
- Recruiting rank: Five-star recruit, no. 3 linebacker nationally in 2023
- Hometown: Raleigh, Mississippi
- Games watched: Georgia (x2), South Carolina, Miami
Suntarine Perkins can nearly do it all on defense. In 2024, he exploded with 10.5 sacks and 60 total tackles. This season, he played more off-ball linebacker, posting 81 total tackles to just 4.5 sacks. As a coverage linebacker, he ranks towards the top of the class. He glides well in his backpedal against seam routes with his tight end, but mirrors out routes out of the backfield. Downhill speed is there in spades. Nose for the ball is there, as he is more than willing to mix it up in the run game, often taking on much bigger blockers. Solid knee bend with stellar change of direction makes him a sneaky blitzer when not standing up on the line.
It will be interesting to see how he weighs in for this upcoming season. At 210 lbs, he is far too small to declare as an EDGE rusher. NFL teams will question the major dip in sack production in 2025, but this could be attributed to scheme, as we saw with Harold Perkins Jr. at LSU in his final two years. Missed tackles were huge on tape, as he hovers around 14%, which won’t cut it in the NFL.
If he cut that in half last season, we’re looking at well over 100 tackles and a tick more sacks, too.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting on Ole Miss’ Suntarine Perkins