{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}} {{For|the actor|Ron Perkins}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Ronnie Perkins | image = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | number = | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|9|29}} | birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 253 | high_school = Lutheran North (St. Louis) | college = Oklahoma (2018–2020) | draftyear = 2021 | draftround = 3 | draftpick = 96 | pastteams = * New England Patriots ({{NFL Year|2021|2023}}) * Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}}) * Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2024}})* * Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2025}}) * Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2025}})* * Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2026}})* | status = Active | highlights = * 2× Second-team All-Big 12 (2019, 2020) | statseason = 2025 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 13 | statlabel2 = Games played | statvalue2 = 7 | pfr = PerkRo00 }} '''Ronnie Perkins''' (born September 29, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at Oklahoma, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
==Early life== Perkins attended Lutheran High School North in St. Louis, Missouri.<ref name="Kvidahl">{{Cite web |last=Kvidahl |first=David |date=August 16, 2017 |title=No. 2: Perkins' versatility makes him a hot commodity |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/football/super-30/no-2-perkins-versatility-makes-him-a-hot-commodity/article_a2f2ed46-81fd-11e7-af30-ef8fa633ad88.html |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=STLtoday.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McKewon |first=Sam |date=April 3, 2017 |title=Recruiting: Top Nebraska DL target Ronnie Perkins has big Sunday in Chicago |url=https://omaha.com/sports/college/huskers/recruiting/recruiting-top-nebraska-dl-target-ronnie-perkins-has-big-sunday-in-chicago/article_19b24e00-188f-11e7-a6eb-e7da6661fe5d.html |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Omaha.com}}</ref> As a senior in 2017, he was named the ''St. Louis Post-Dispatch'' All-Metro football defensive player of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kvidahl |first=David |date=December 26, 2017 |title=All-Metro defensive player of the year: Perkins' presence unleashed Lutheran North's defense |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/all-metro/football/all-metro-defensive-player-of-the-year-perkins-presence-unleashed-lutheran-norths-defense/article_fba52fcc-e6a6-11e7-8803-1ff5e05ddb1d.html |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=STLtoday.com}}</ref> He played in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Jason |date=October 26, 2017 |title=Ronnie Perkins giddy to receive his U.S Army All-American jersey |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2017/ronnie-perkins-giddy-to-receive-his-u-s-army-all-american-jersey |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=USA TODAY High School Sports}}</ref> Perkins committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football.
==College career== As a true freshman at Oklahoma in 2018, Perkins started seven games and recorded 37 tackles and five sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hines |first=Kelly |date=November 19, 2019 |title=OU football: DE Ronnie Perkins taking his game 'to another level' |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/ou/ou-football-de-ronnie-perkins-taking-his-game-to-another-level/article_68f9c9fe-b00f-5f00-a8f0-4729eb8f32d4.html |access-date=May 27, 2023 |work=Tulsa World}}</ref> He started all 13 games he played in his sophomore year before being suspended for the 2019 Peach Bowl due to a failed drug test. He finished the season with 38 tackles and six sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Eric |date=September 23, 2020 |title=OU football: Suspended Ronnie Perkins making off-the-field impact for defense |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/ou/ou-football-suspended-ronnie-perkins-making-off-the-field-impact-for-defense/article_3a82c788-fde5-11ea-b6c5-374f7dd4220f.html |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Tulsa World}}</ref> The suspension continued five games into his junior year in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buettner |first=Joe |date=December 9, 2022 |title=OU football: Ronnie Perkins grateful for each game after missing half of season |url=https://www.normantranscript.com/sports/ou_football/ou-football-ronnie-perkins-grateful-for-each-game-after-missing-half-of-season/article_24690ac4-3a77-11eb-a42d-dbc5694977dc.html |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Norman Transcript}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aber |first=Ryan |date=November 4, 2020 |title=OU football: Ronnie Perkins made an immediate and strong impact on Sooners' defense |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2020/11/05/ou-football-ronnie-perkins-made-an-immediate-and-strong-impact-on-sooners-defense/308427007/ |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=The Oklahoman}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 2 1/2 | weight = 253 | dash = 4.71 | ten split = 1.69 | twenty split = 2.79 | shuttle = 4.69 | vertical = 32.0 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 7 | bench = 25 | arm span = 32 7/8 | hand span = 9 | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ronnie Perkins Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ronnie-perkins/32005045-5223-8147-5638-2104880c86b1 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Draft Scout Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1027990&DraftYear=2021 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |website=draftscout.com}}</ref> }}
===New England Patriots=== Perkins was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round, 96th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buchmasser |first=Bernd |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Patriots draft Oklahoma DE Ronnie Perkins at to No. 96 |url=https://www.patspulpit.com/2021/4/30/22413508/nfl-draft-results-2021-patriots-oklahoma-defense-ronnie-perkins-pick |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=Pats Pulpit |publisher=SB Nation}}</ref> On July 20, 2021, Perkins signed his four-year rookie contract with New England.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Ben |date=July 20, 2021 |title=NFL Draft Pick Signings: 7/20/21 |url=https://www.profootballrumors.com/2021/07/nfl-draft-pick-signings-7-20-21#ref=home |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Pro Football Rumors}}</ref> After being inactive the first 13 games of the season, he was placed on injured reserve on December 17 without being active for a game as a rookie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2021 |title=Patriots Place LB Ronnie Perkins on Injured Reserve |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-place-lb-ronnie-perkins-on-injured-reserve |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Patriots.com}}</ref> On August 23, 2022, Perkins was placed on injured reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=Patriots Place LB Ronnie Perkins on Injured Reserve; OL Andrew Stueber Placed on Reserve/NFI |url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-place-lb-ronnie-perkins-on-injured-reserve-ol-andrew-stueber-placed-on- |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=Patriots.com}}</ref> On August 29, 2023, Perkins was released by the Patriots and re-signed to the practice squad the following day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach the 53-Man Roster Limit|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-make-roster-moves-to-reach-the-53-man-roster-limit|website=Patriots.com|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Patriots sign 15 players to the practice squad|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-sign-15-players-to-the-practice-squad-x7482|website=Patriots.com|date=August 30, 2023}}</ref>
===Denver Broncos=== On September 18, 2023, Perkins was signed by the Denver Broncos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign DE Ronnie Perkins off Patriots' practice squad|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-de-ronnie-perkins-off-patriots-practice-squad|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=September 18, 2023}}</ref> He was waived on December 14 and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiLalla |first1=Aric |title=Broncos waive OLB Ronnie Perkins |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-waive-olb-ronnie-perkins |website=DenverBroncos.com |access-date=15 December 2023}}</ref> Perkins signed a reserve/future contract with Denver on January 8, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Broncos sign 12 players to future contracts|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-12-players-to-future-contracts|author=DiLalla, Aric|website=DenverBroncos.com|date=January 8, 2024}}</ref> On August 6, Perkins was designated as waived/injured by the Broncos, and reverted to injured reserve the following day after going unclaimed on waivers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Broncos sign ILB Alec Mock |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-sign-ilb-alec-mock |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=DenverBroncos.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-07 |title=Broncos' Ronnie Perkins: Shifts to IR |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/broncos-ronnie-perkins-shifts-to-ir/#:~:text=Perkins%20was%20waived/injured%20by,at%20some%20point%20this%20year. |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> On September 17, Perkins was released by the Broncos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelberman |first=Zack |date=2024-09-17 |title=Broncos Cut Ties with Injured OLB |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/news/broncos-release-ronnie-perkins-injured-reserve |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Denver Broncos On SI |language=}}</ref>
=== Arizona Cardinals === On October 16, 2024, Perkins signed with the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cardinals sign LB Ronnie Perkins, CB Keion Crossen and OL Nick Leverett to practice squad |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/3561534/cardinals-sign-3-practice-squad/ |website=Arizona Sports |access-date=17 October 2024}}</ref> He was waived on December 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Druin |first=Donnie |date=December 3, 2024 |title=Report: Cardinals Waive Linebacker |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/cardinals/news/report-arizona-cardinals-waive-linebacker-ronnie-perkins |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated}}</ref>
=== Birmingham Stallions === On February 4, 2025, Perkins signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1886562366550122904 |user=UFL_PR |title=The #UFL has announced the following transactions for Monday, February 3 |date=February 3, 2025 |access-date=February 3, 2025}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on May 12.<ref>{{cite news |last=Larsen |first=James |title=Birmingham Stallions Sign Max Roberts, Lose Ronnie Perkins |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/birmingham-stallions-sign-max-roberts-lose-ronnie-perkins/ |website=PFNewsroom.com |date=May 13, 2025 |access-date=May 13, 2025}}</ref>
===Atlanta Falcons=== On August 18, 2025, Perkins signed with the Atlanta Falcons.<ref>{{cite web|title= REPORT: Falcons sign edge rusher Ronnie Perkins |url= https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/report-falcons-sign-edge-rusher-ronnie-perkins| author=Waack, Terrin|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> On August 23, Perkins was released by Atlanta during preliminary roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad on September 2.<ref>{{cite web|title=Falcons begin 53-man roster cutdown, release 12 players|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-roster-cuts-53-man-deadline|author=Waack, Terrin|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=August 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Falcons sign 2 defensive players to practice squad |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-ronnie-perkins-simeon-barrow-practice-squad |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}}</ref> He was released on September 9.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Falcons sign kicker Parker Romo to practice squad |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/john-parker-romo-signed-falcons-kicker-practice-squad |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Birmingham Stallions (second stint)=== On January 29, 2026, Perkins signed with the Birmingham Stallions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Larsen |first1=James |title=Birmingham Stallions Re-Sign DE Ronnie Perkins, Lose Players |url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/birmingham-stallions-re-sign-de-ronnie-perkins-lose-players/ |website=PF Newsroom |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> He was released three days later.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://soonersports.com/sports/football/roster/ronnie-perkins/14043 Oklahoma Sooners bio] {{Patriots2021DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perkins, Ronnie}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from St. Louis Category:American football defensive ends Category:Oklahoma Sooners football players Category:New England Patriots players Category:Denver Broncos players Category:Arizona Cardinals players Category:Birmingham Stallions (2022) players Category:Atlanta Falcons players