Ronnie Perkins Bio
Ronnie Perkins (born September 29, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays in the United Football League. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma from 2018 to 2020, and the New England Patriots selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 96th overall pick. Throughout his professional career, Perkins has been affiliated with several NFL franchises and most recently joined the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Ronnie Perkins was born on September 29, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Lutheran High School North in his hometown, where he developed into a highly decorated high school football player. During his senior season in 2017, Perkins earned the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro football defensive player of the year honor, recognizing him as the top defensive talent in the region.
In addition to his high school accolades, Perkins participated in the prestigious 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a national high school football showcase featuring the top senior prospects in the country. His strong performances at the high school level and in the All-American game attracted attention from major college football programs across the nation.
After considering multiple collegiate offers, Perkins made his decision to continue his football career at the collegiate level. He committed to play for the University of Oklahoma, one of the premier football programs in the Big 12 Conference, setting the stage for his transition to college football.
Path to the NFL
Perkins arrived at the University of Oklahoma as a highly rated recruit in 2018. As a true freshman, he made an immediate impact in the Sooners’ defense, starting seven games and recording 37 tackles along with five sacks. His productive first season demonstrated his ability to compete at the Division I level and earn significant playing time early in his college career.
His sophomore season in 2019 proved to be even more successful. Perkins started all 13 games he played and accumulated 38 tackles with six sacks. His performance throughout the season earned him second-team All-Big 12 honors. However, his season ended on a disappointing note when he was suspended for the 2019 Peach Bowl due to a failed drug test.
The suspension carried over into his junior year in 2020, continuing for the first five games of the season. Despite this setback, Perkins maintained his commitment to the program. His consistency across the 2019 and 2020 seasons, combined with his natural talent and potential, solidified his status as an NFL prospect. His two consecutive second-team All-Big 12 selections demonstrated his reliability and effectiveness as a pass rusher at the collegiate level.
Ronnie Perkins Career
New England Patriots (2021–2023)
The New England Patriots selected Ronnie Perkins in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 96th overall pick. On July 20, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the organization. Perkins entered the league as a developmental linebacker with the Patriots, joining a team known for its patient approach to integrating young defensive players.
Perkins spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve after being placed on the list on December 17, 2021. He was inactive for the first 13 games of the season without appearing in a game. The following year, on August 23, 2022, Perkins was again placed on injured reserve, continuing his challenging start to his professional career. On August 29, 2023, the Patriots released Perkins, and he quickly rejoined the organization by signing to their practice squad the following day.
Denver Broncos (2023–2024)
On September 18, 2023, Perkins signed with the Denver Broncos, providing him with an opportunity for a fresh start with another NFL franchise. He appeared in games for the Broncos during the 2023 season. However, he was waived on December 14 and re-signed to the practice squad, indicating the transient nature of roster spot management in the NFL.
Perkins signed a reserve/future contract with Denver on January 8, 2024, which guaranteed he would remain with the organization heading into the 2024 season. His attempt to secure a more permanent role with the Broncos encountered another obstacle when, on August 6, 2024, he was designated as waived/injured. He reverted to injured reserve after going unclaimed on waivers. The Broncos released him on September 17, 2024, ending his tenure with the organization.
Arizona Cardinals (2024)
Following his release from the Broncos, Perkins continued his professional journey by signing with the Arizona Cardinals on October 16, 2024. He joined their practice squad, continuing his pattern of moving between NFL organizations seeking an opportunity to contribute. Perkins was waived by the Cardinals on December 3, 2024, marking another brief chapter in his developing NFL career.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2025)
On February 4, 2025, Perkins signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League. This move represented a transition from the NFL to the UFL, a spring professional football league featuring former NFL players and emerging talents. The Birmingham Stallions offered Perkins an opportunity for increased playing time and a chance to showcase his skills in regular game action. He was placed on injured reserve on May 12, 2025, which limited his contributions during the UFL season.
Atlanta Falcons (2025)
On August 18, 2025, Perkins signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He reported to training camp with the organization in hopes of earning a spot on the 53-man roster. However, he was released by Atlanta on August 23 during preliminary roster cuts before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 2, 2025. He was subsequently released from the practice squad on September 9, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Ronnie Perkins projects as an edge rusher and linebacker with pass-rushing ability. At 6 feet 3 inches and 253 pounds, he possesses the size and length desirable for defensive end roles in multiple schemes. His college production at Oklahoma, including his sack numbers and ability to pressure quarterbacks, demonstrated his disruptive potential when at full strength and playing with consistent effort.
Notable Events and Milestones
Perkins achieved recognition at the high school level as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro defensive player of the year in 2017. His selection to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl represented a national honor that validated his status among the country’s top high school prospects. In college, his two second-team All-Big 12 selections in 2019 and 2020 provided measurable evidence of his effectiveness as a collegiate defender despite the mid-career suspension that interrupted his junior season.
Ronnie Perkins Career Statistics
Perkins has appeared in seven NFL games throughout his professional career, accumulating 13 total tackles. His limited game exposure reflects the challenges he faced with injuries and roster transactions during his time with multiple NFL franchises. In his final collegiate season at Oklahoma in 2020, he continued to demonstrate his ability before entering the professional ranks.
College Statistics Highlights
During his three seasons at Oklahoma from 2018 to 2020, Perkins established himself as a productive defender for the Sooners. His true freshman season yielded 37 tackles and five sacks in seven starts. His sophomore campaign produced 38 tackles and six sacks while starting all 13 games, leading to his first second-team All-Big 12 honor. His overall collegiate production provided NFL scouts with film study material supporting his selection in the third round of the 2021 draft.
Ronnie Perkins Family
Family Background and Early Influences
Ronnie Perkins grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where his football abilities developed through the local high school system. His path from Lutheran High School North to the collegiate level at Oklahoma and eventually the NFL represents a journey grounded in his St. Louis roots. The support system and competitive football culture in St. Louis contributed to his development as a player.
Personal Life
Perkins maintains a public presence through his Instagram account under the handle @__perk7. He continues to pursue his professional football career with dedication despite the roster transitions and challenges he has encountered in the NFL and UFL. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Ronnie Perkins as he navigated between the UFL and NFL. Beginning with the Birmingham Stallions in February 2025, Perkins sought to leverage his skills in the United Football League after his NFL opportunities diminished. His time with the Stallions was cut short by injury, as he was placed on injured reserve in May, limiting his ability to contribute to the team’s season.
Following his release from Birmingham, Perkins received an opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons in August 2025. The brief tenure included an initial signing, release during roster cuts, practice squad re-signing, and subsequent release. This sequence demonstrated the competitive nature of roster battles and the difficulty of maintaining a spot in the NFL. His move to the Falcons represented another attempt to prove himself at the highest professional level while maintaining the flexibility to return to alternative professional football leagues.