Takeaways from Suntarine Perkins' state championship game
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HATTIESBURG, Miss. — On3 was on hand to watch On300 LB Suntarine Perkins lift Raleigh (Miss.) High School to its first-ever Class 3A Mississippi state championship earlier this month.
Perkins, a longtime Ole Miss commit, capped his high school football career with Herculean effort, which included four touchdowns, four successful 2-point conversions as well as a fourth-quarter interception. Even more impressive, Perkins only left the field for a handful of snaps throughout the four-quarter shootout.
This was this On3 analyst’s second in-person evaluation of Perkins in the past three years and his first in the past calendar year. Let’s dive deeper into how Mississippi’s No. 1 player fared during this live eval.
Perkins shines in all three phases
Perkins put video game-esque numbers on the box score taking 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.
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. Not only was he wildly productive in multiple facets of this game, but he was absolutely timely as he took over this game on both sides of the ball.
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 of him.
Athletic traits on display
Perkins slimmed down as a senior and right now has the frame of a hybrid safety/linebacker much like Jacoby Mathews a year ago. Like the Texas A&M standout freshman, Perkins is not only athletic but plays with a physical demeanor seen in groves on both sides of the ball last week.
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Perkins burst past a host of defenders around the edge on Raleigh’s first offensive snap. He hurdled defenders a few times lost and seamlessly regained his balance, and extended the play in acrobatic fashion. Perkins ran through contact effectively and as a receiver was 2-for-2 on contested catches with defenders actively making a play on the ball — once in the middle of the field and again running a route in the flat.
On defense, Perkins’ speed shows racing to the sideline. He flies to the ball and is instinctive, which opens the door for big plays. He’s a sure tackler, but doesn’t lack the willingness to lower his shoulder either.
Projecting to Saturdays and Sundays
Much like other smaller-classification programs, Raleigh’s best player is Perkins. 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.
On the defensive side of the ball, where he’ll play the majority of snaps on Saturdays, he showed off his range, instincts and playmaking ability in key moments. He has the tools and track record to be a difference-maker in the front seven. He should be in consideration as a five-star player going into All-Star Game season in this analyst’s opinion.
Perkins’ outstanding prep finale was documented in person by both Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding, who were on hand at Southern Mississippi’s M.M. Roberts Stadium last Friday to see the Consensus’ No. 4 linebacker in his final action. He’s believed to be a top defensive priority by both SEC staffs.