Suntarine Perkins

NFL Draft Profile: Suntarine Perkins

Position: LB / EDGE Hybrid | School: Ole Miss | Class: Junior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 220 lbs | Archetype: Hybrid (Blitz Specialist / Coverage)

College Career Summary

Suntarine Perkins arrived at Ole Miss as the top-ranked recruit in Mississippi, and he has lived up to the hype by being the ultimate "chess piece" for Pete Golding’s defense. After a Freshman All-American campaign in 2023, Perkins had a historic sophomore season in 2024, finishing 10th in the FBS with 10.5 sacks while playing primarily as a stand-up edge rusher. In 2025, with NFL scouts watching his transition back to a more traditional off-ball role, Perkins displayed the rare athleticism that allows him to cover slot receivers and terrorize backfields simultaneously. Despite a leaner frame for a traditional linebacker, his production—highlighted by a First-Team All-SEC junior year—marks him as a premier hybrid prospect in the 2026 class.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 39

• Total Tackles: 166 (68 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 28.5 (9.0 in 2025)

• Sacks: 16.0 (2.0 in 2025)

• Interceptions: 2 (1 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups: 6 (5 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Georgia St.	1 Tkl	B-	Low volume; played primarily in contain roles.
@ Kentucky	1 Tkl, 1 PD	B	Solid in coverage; erased the tight end in the flat.
vs. Arkansas	9 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	A-	High Pursuit grade; cleaned up perimeter runs.
vs. Tulane	4 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Disciplined eyes; handled RPO chaos well.
vs. LSU	7 Tkl	B+	Strong Leadership; directed the front against a complex O-line.
vs. Wash. St.	4 Tkl	B	Quiet but efficient; standard high IQ game.
@ Georgia	10 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	A	Mental Toughness. Played physical ball against elite size.
@ Oklahoma	5 Tkl, 1.5 TFL	A-	Disrupted the backfield rhythm; elite Acceleration.
vs. S. Carolina	6 Tkl, 1.5 Sk, 1 INT	A+	Season Best. Total game-wrecker; sack and a pick.
vs. The Citadel	4 Tkl, 0.5 Sk	B+	Pure speed on display; Athleticism outclassed the opponent.
vs. Florida	5 Tkl, 2 PD	A	Coverage clinic; blanketed backs out of the backfield.
@ Miss. State	8 Tkl	B+	High Motor in the Egg Bowl; finished through the whistle.
vs. Tulane (CC)	4 Tkl	B	Controlled the middle of the field; efficient tackling.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Generational Range: Perkins is a "sideline-to-sideline" defender in the truest sense. His Speed allows him to track down ball carriers that other LBs simply can't reach.

• Pass Rush Polish: Because he spent 2024 as an EDGE, his Blitzing technique is light-years ahead of most off-ball linebackers. He has "oily hips" and natural bend.

• Coverage Versatility: He is one of the few LBs in the country athletic enough to match up with slot receivers. His Footwork and safety-like background make him a nightmare in sub-packages.

• Playmaking Instincts: He has a "nose for the ball." Whether it's forcing fumbles or leaping for interceptions, Perkins creates "Star" impact plays that change momentum.

Weaknesses

• Frame Concerns: At 220 lbs, he is light for the NFL. He can be "washed out" of plays by 320 lb guards who get their hands on him. His Weight is his biggest hurdle.

• Medical History: Underwent shoulder surgery in January 2025. Scouts will investigate the long-term Durability of his labrum given his high-impact playing style.

• Block Deconstruction: Relies on "dipping and ripping" rather than raw power to shed

  blocks. He can struggle when forced to take a lead blocker head-on.

Scheme Fit: Ideal WILL Linebacker in a 4-2-5 "Nickel-based" defense or a Hybrid Joker who alternates between off-ball and the line of scrimmage.

NFL Comparison: Harold Perkins (LSU) / Quay Walker (Packers)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 18/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 20/20 | IQ: 17/20

Final Grade: 90/100

Suntarine Perkins is a 21st-century linebacker. While he may not meet the weight requirements of a 1990s defense, he is exactly what modern coordinators crave: a player who can blitz from the edge, cover the slot, and chase down the fastest RBs in the league. His Athleticism is in the 99th percentile for the position. If he adds 10-15 lbs of functional muscle without losing his twitch, he has perennial Pro Bowl potential.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Mid-to-Late)