Suntarine Perkins named to On3 Midseason True Freshman All-American Team
At the halfway point of the 2023 season, On3 is handing out awards. Monday, the Midseason True Freshman All-American Team was announced. And Ole Miss linebacker Suntarine Perkins made the cut. On3’s director of scouting and rankings, Charles Power, gives his extensive thoughts here. And the former Five-Star Plus+ signee from Raleigh, Miss., is the talk of the SEC.
“Suntarine Perkins has made an early impact at Ole Miss as a disruptive presence, particularly as a pass-rusher early on in his career,” Power said. “I think when you look at the way Pete Golding is using Perkins, it’s similar to what Texas has done with Anthony Hill and what LSU did with Harold Perkins last year.
“He has logged 194 snaps for the Rebels and already tallied four sacks. He’s really lined up often on the edge, and off-ball a little bit, but primarily has been used as a pass-rusher,” Power said. “I think it’s likely we’ll see him play in a more traditional linebacker role as he continues to get more comfortable in the defense.
“That might be next season, but there’s no question Suntarine Perkins is a top athlete, a guy who was a dynamic, elite, two-way high school player.”
Suntarine Perkins was the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 1 linebacker in 2023.
He was also the No. 1 player in Mississippi and Mr. Football in the 3A classification. Perkins played running back and linebacker at Raleigh (Miss.) and led the program to its first state title in 2022.
The 6-foot-3, 205 pounder had 32 carries for 331 yards and four touchdowns in the state title game. Defensively, he had six tackles and an interception on defense. He finished with more than 5,000 all-purpose yards and 267 tackles and 10 sacks over his prep career. Perkins was named MVP of the MS/AL All-Star game, making 10 tackles and grabbing three tackles for loss.
Pete Golding recruited the five-star recruit for years. Now he gets to coach him.
Golding talked about his ability and instant impact earlier this year during fall camp.
“He looks different than everyone else out there,” Pate said. “He could’ve walked on campus as a high school senior and looked different.”
This season through six games, Perkins has 24 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one pass breakup. He was named to the 2023 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Preseason Watch List before the season started. And now he is turning heads on the field.
Sep 23, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) is sacked by Mississippi Rebels linebacker Suntarine Perkins (4) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
In his first collegiate game, Perkins led the team with nine tackles against Mercer. A few weeks later against Alabama, he had five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. The talent is in spades and Golding’s prized pupil is poised to help the Rebels contend for the SEC West and beyond.
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