Suntarine Perkins is going to be in ‘a lot of different positions’ on the Ole Miss defense this season

Last season one of the top things Ole Miss fans were anticipating seeing was how high school standout Suntarine Perkins was going to look in a Pete Golding defense. Glimpse and flashes of what can be were shown but not enough to get a good idea.

Heading into Perkins second season under Golding there appears to be a better understanding by the latter of how to properly use the former’s skill set this year.

During the Spring Perkins was working with the defensive line group and when the rosters were updated ahead of preseason camp he was officially changed from linebacker to defensive end. Through the first week and a half of camp he has been seen working with both position groups.

A Swiss army knife approach might be in the works for Perkins.

“Number one is his athletic ability and his get off,” Golding said of Perkins on Thursday. “We move that guy around a lot. So (opposing offensives) have to always have to be able to account for that. That’s a flexible position for us because he’s a rusher and a dropper. He’s athletic enough to be a money (line)backer.”

Having a season under his belt helped Perkins catch up to the the speed of the game as is life in the Southeastern Conference. With this experience, Golding is planning to have Perkins be his roaming piece on the chess board all season.

“I think you’re going to see him in a lot of different positions,” Golding added. “Last year, obviously coming in as an 18 year-old freshman in this league and have to learn a new system, you have to try and simplify as much as possible. …Now he knows it inside and out at that position. So, he’s going to allow us to have some flexibility to move him around based on who we play. He’s done a really nice job his first year of learning the process of scheme.”

Heading into year two at Ole Miss Perkins feels more “comfortable” in his role and place within the defense.

Last season Perkins finished with 38 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. His biggest impact was in the first half against Alabama when he was assigned exclusively to spy on Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe. Perkins had five tackles that game and two sacks.

There is always that level of adjustment or acclimation and for Perkins it might have required more than most thought it would given his talent level.

“I feel like this year everything slowed down. I feel more comfortable and better than I was last year,” Perkins told The Ole Miss Spirit last week.

“Coming out of high school everything was so fast. As the season kept going down the line everything started coming to me and started slowing down. I definitely feel like this year, I definitely feel more comfortable.”

There is a trust level between Perkins and Golding that allows for the flexibility to try different positions and see where the former standout Mississippi high school athlete can excel the most. Golding has been familiar with Perkins since his days at Raleigh and recruited him at Alabama and then helped seal the deal when he got hired at Ole Miss.

“Pete Golding, that’s my guy. He’s been recruiting me ever since I was in high school,” Perkins said. “We talk. We talk everyday going over plays. Coach Golding, he’s a great guy.”

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