Mark Perry Bio
Mark Perry (born May 30, 2001) is an American professional football safety who currently plays for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and weighing 211 pounds, Perry has built a reputation as a versatile defensive player throughout his collegiate and professional career. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2019 to 2021 before transferring to the TCU Horned Frogs for his final two seasons of college eligibility from 2022 to 2023.
Early Life and Background
Mark Perry was born on May 30, 2001, in Torrance, California, a city located in the southwestern part of Los Angeles County. He attended Rancho Cucamonga High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he developed his skills as a football player. Coming out of high school, Perry was rated as a three-star recruit by major recruiting services, indicating his solid but not elite status among prospective college athletes. His performance in high school earned him the opportunity to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Football
After graduating from high school, Perry made the decision to commit to play college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, beginning his freshman season in 2019. This choice marked the first step in his journey toward professional football, as he sought to develop his craft against collegiate competition in the Pac-12 Conference. His trajectory through the college ranks would eventually lead him to the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
Mark Perry Career
College Career at Colorado (2019–2021)
Mark Perry began his collegiate football career with the Colorado Buffaloes in 2019. During his freshman season, he totaled 16 tackles, with four of those being for a loss, along with one and a half sacks. The 2020 season saw limited action for Perry, as he started in just two games and recorded ten tackles. His most productive season with Colorado came in 2021, when he tallied 72 tackles and three interceptions, showcasing his ability to make plays in the secondary and his growth as a defensive player.
Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Perry made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal, seeking new opportunities at another program. This move would prove significant in his development as he looked to continue his football career at a different institution.
College Career at TCU (2022–2023)
Mark Perry transferred to play for the TCU Horned Frogs, joining the program for the 2022 season. In his first year with TCU, he made an immediate impact by notching 84 tackles, with six and a half of those going for a loss, and adding two pass deflections. His performance helped anchor the TCU defense during a competitive stretch in the Big 12 Conference. During the 2023 season, Perry finished with 58 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble, demonstrating his consistency and ability to contribute in various facets of the game.
Professional Career Journey (2024–Present)
After not being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Mark Perry signed as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in May 2024. He reported to training camp with the team but was placed on the Active/NFI list on July 16, 2024. Perry was subsequently waived on August 27 as part of the Dolphins’ final roster cuts before the regular season began. He quickly found a new opportunity, signing with the Houston Texans practice squad on August 29, 2024, though he was released from that roster on September 10.
Perry continued his journey through the NFL when he was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad on September 16, 2024. He demonstrated enough promise to sign a reserve/future contract with New England on January 6, 2025. However, he was released by the Patriots on April 28, 2025, and was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans the following day on April 29. His time with the Titans proved brief, as he was waived on August 5, 2025.
On August 12, 2025, Perry signed with the Chicago Bears, adding another chapter to his professional journey. He was waived by the Bears on August 24, 2025, before finding stability with the Green Bay Packers. Perry was signed to the Packers practice squad on January 1, 2026, and signed a reserve/future contract with Green Bay on January 12, 2026, securing his place on the roster for the 2026 season.
Defensive Skills and Playing Style
Mark Perry has developed as a safety who displays versatility in both coverage and run support. His collegiate career at two different programs demonstrated his ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and philosophies. At Colorado, he showed playmaking ability with his three-interception season in 2021. His time at TCU further developed his instincts and tackling ability, with his 84-tackle season in 2022 highlighting his capacity to be a reliable presence in the defensive backfield. Perry’s willingness to come up and support the run game, evidenced by his consistent tackles-for-loss numbers throughout his career, indicates a physical component to his game that translates well to the professional level.
Career Milestones and Progression
Perry’s path to the NFL through the undrafted free agent route underscores the challenges faced by players who do not hear their names called during the draft. Despite being undrafted in 2024, he has continued to pursue his NFL dreams with determination, signing with multiple organizations in search of a permanent roster spot. His journey has taken him through six different NFL franchises in a short span, demonstrating both his resilience and the competitive nature of maintaining a roster position in the league. The signing of a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers in January 2026 represents a significant milestone, providing him with an opportunity to compete for a permanent roster spot heading into the 2026 season.
Mark Perry Career Statistics
Throughout his collegiate and early professional career, Mark Perry has accumulated meaningful statistical achievements that highlight his contributions as a defensive player.
College Statistics Highlights
At Colorado, Perry demonstrated steady improvement over his three seasons with the Buffaloes. His freshman campaign in 2019 saw him record 16 tackles including four for loss, along with one and a half sacks. His sophomore season in 2020 was limited to ten tackles across two starts. His breakout season came in 2021 with 72 tackles and three interceptions, establishing himself as a playmaker in the secondary. At TCU from 2022 to 2023, Perry continued his strong play with 84 tackles in 2022 and 58 tackles in 2023, showing consistent production at the Power Five level.
Career Progression Summary
Perry’s transition from college to professional football has been marked by rapid roster movement across multiple NFL franchises. His ability to sign with six different teams since entering the league as an undrafted free agent reflects the value teams place on his positional versatility and special teams potential. As he enters the 2026 season with the Green Bay Packers, Perry aims to establish himself as a reliable contributor and potentially earn a more permanent role on an NFL roster.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a particularly eventful period in Mark Perry’s young professional career. Beginning the year with the New England Patriots, Perry spent the early portion of the season on the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract in January that suggested the team saw potential in his development. His release in late April ended his tenure with the Patriots, but he was almost immediately claimed by the Tennessee Titans, indicating that other teams in the league recognized his abilities.
Following his brief stint with the Titans, Perry signed with the Chicago Bears in August 2025. This opportunity allowed him to continue his progression with another NFL organization, though he was waived before the regular season concluded. The persistence required to continue pursuing an NFL roster spot despite these setbacks demonstrates Perry’s dedication to his craft. His eventual signing with the Green Bay Packers in January 2026 provided a fresh start and a new environment in which to compete for a more permanent position.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Perry will have the opportunity to work with the Packers coaching staff and compete for playing time in a new defensive system. His collegiate experience at two different programs, combined with his exposure to multiple NFL organizations, has given him a breadth of experience that many rookies do not possess. If Perry can translate this varied experience into consistent performance during training camp and the preseason, he may have the opportunity to earn a more significant role with the Packers defense.