12/02/22
Suntarine Perkins has Herculean effort to lift Raleigh (Miss.) to 3A state championship
Sam Spiegelman•National Recruiting Analyst
Perkins, a longtime Ole Miss commit, capped his high school football career with Herculean effort, which included snaps as running back and as a wing-back, linebacker, and on various special teams units. He racked up 334 yards on 34 carries (9.8 YPC), four touchdowns rushing and four more 2-point conversions. He also piled up six tackles and a fourth-quarter interception. Even more impressive, Perkins only left the field for a handful of snaps throughout the four-quarter shootout. It’s worth pointing out that Perkins’ pick and go-ahead rushing score came in the fourth quarter, and on the ensuing series, Perkins’ tackle at the line of scrimmage denied the opposition a 2-point attempt. Offensively, Perkins spent time not only toting the rock, breaking away from defenders, and also running through them on occasion, but he excelled as a blocker. He moves well in space and despite slimming down to close to 200 pounds as a senior, can easily move defenders off the ball at will. That willingness was on full display on special teams, too. Defensively, Perkins lined up largely in the box and was active slowing down the run. Perkins is rangy and has a background playing safety, which shows in his playstyle. It’s also evident in coverage. He often lined up as a nickel and has the speed, wingspan and instincts to roam. Perkins easily plucked an interception lined up to cover the slot receiver and throughout the game kept pass-catchers in front. The volume is high, and so is the production. It’s certainly glaring, however, for a defensive player to be so impactful in other phases of the game. This game more than any, the On300 defender dominated those snaps running the football, catching it, and barreling over defenders as a lead-blocker.