La’Mical Perine Bio
La’Mical Perine (born January 30, 1998) is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 216 pounds, Perine has built a journeyman career as a hard-working back, contributing on practice squads, special teams, and active rosters across the league.
Over the course of his professional career, Perine has appeared for the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Green Bay Packers. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion, earning rings with the Kansas City Chiefs following Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII.
Early Life and Background
La’Mical Perine was born on January 30, 1998, in Mobile, Alabama. He is the son of Terrance Perine and Sabrina Dixon, with his father largely absent from his early years. Perine was raised by his mother and his stepfather, Jimmie, who provided stability in his upbringing. His father had played football at Auburn, and his mother played basketball, giving La’Mical a household steeped in athletic tradition.
Perine grew up in Mobile and attended Theodore High School, where he played both basketball and football. As a junior, he rushed for 1,416 yards and scored 16 touchdowns, earning Class 7A All-State honorable mention. In his senior year, he elevated his production, rushing for 1,654 yards and 15 touchdowns while being named first-team Class 7A All-State.
Rated as a three-star recruit, Perine drew interest from several major programs before committing to the University of Florida. He turned down an offer from Alabama to join the Gators, signaling his desire to carve out his own identity in the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Perine’s path to the NFL began with steady development at Theodore High School, where his combination of vision, balance, and receiving ability hinted at his future pro potential. By the time he arrived in Gainesville, he had the tools to compete in a crowded Florida backfield, even as a freshman.
As a true freshman at Florida, Perine finished as the Gators’ second-leading rusher with 421 yards on 91 carries, scoring one rushing touchdown and adding nine receptions for 161 yards and a receiving score. The following year, he emerged as the team’s leading rusher with 562 yards and eight touchdowns, despite entering the season as a second-string back.
His junior season marked his first full year as Florida’s starting running back, and he responded with 826 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 134 carries, along with 13 receptions for 170 yards and a score. By his senior year, Perine had transformed into a reliable dual-threat option out of the backfield.
La’Mical Perine Career
College Career (2016–2019)
Perine closed his Florida career with a strong senior campaign, rushing for 677 yards and six touchdowns and catching 40 passes for 262 yards and five scores. His senior year was capped by a memorable performance in the 2019 Orange Bowl, where he was named MVP after rushing for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and adding five receptions for 43 yards and another touchdown in Florida’s 36–28 victory over Virginia.
Over four college seasons, Perine totaled 2,485 rushing yards, eighth-most in Florida history, with 22 rushing touchdowns on 493 carries. He also contributed 72 receptions for 674 yards and eight receiving touchdowns, showcasing the versatility that would later appeal to NFL teams.
New York Jets (2020–2022)
Perine was selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round with the 120th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 2 of the 2020 season against the San Francisco 49ers, registering three carries for 17 rushing yards in a 31–13 loss. His first career touchdown came on October 25, 2020, in an 18–10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, a moment that validated his playmaking potential.
His rookie year was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on November 24, 2020, with a high ankle sprain. He returned on December 26, 2020, only to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list four days later. He finished his rookie season with 64 carries for 232 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, plus 11 receptions for 63 receiving yards, in ten games played. Perine saw limited action in 2021, appearing in just four games, and was released by the Jets on August 30, 2022, during final roster cuts.
Kansas City Chiefs (2023)
On January 28, 2023, Perine signed with the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. He was part of the roster when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, earning his first Super Bowl ring. Following the championship, he signed a reserve/future contract on February 15, 2023.
In 2023, Perine was waived on August 29 and re-signed to the practice squad the same day before being promoted to the active roster on December 24. The Chiefs then defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25–22 in Super Bowl LVIII, giving Perine a second consecutive Super Bowl championship. He was released by Kansas City on May 17, 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
On May 23, 2024, Perine signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was waived on August 27, 2024, briefly joining the Green Bay Packers practice squad on August 30 before being released on September 10. Perine returned to the Steelers on October 1, 2024, signing with the practice squad, and was released on October 29.
Across his various stops with the Eagles, Dolphins, Packers, and Steelers, Perine has continued to provide veteran depth and special teams value, reinforcing his reputation as a reliable team-first contributor.
Driving Style and Strengths
Perine is known for his patience as a runner, using subtle cuts and dependable hands to make plays in the passing game. His compact frame and low center of gravity allow him to absorb contact and pick up tough yards between the tackles, while his receiving ability gives offensive coordinators flexibility on third downs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Perine’s career highlight reel includes his MVP performance in the 2019 Orange Bowl and back-to-back Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023 and 2024. His first NFL touchdown against Buffalo and his journey through six NFL organizations also stand as defining chapters of a resilient professional path.
La’Mical Perine Career Wins
La’Mical Perine has yet to record a full season as a feature back, but his resume is decorated by two Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs and a 2019 Orange Bowl MVP honor from his college career.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his championships, Perine’s career has been marked by steady contributions across multiple organizations, including practice squad stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. His 2019 Orange Bowl MVP award remains one of the most celebrated individual achievements of his football career.
La’Mical Perine Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Perine comes from a sports-minded family. His father, Terrance Perine, played football at Auburn, and his mother, Sabrina Dixon, played basketball. His cousin, Samaje Perine, is also an NFL running back, while another cousin, Myles Jack, played linebacker in the NFL.
Personal Life
Perine was raised primarily by his mother and stepfather, Jimmie, after his biological father was largely absent during his early years. Public information about his marital status and children is not widely available, and he tends to keep his personal life private.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, La’Mical Perine is a veteran running back looking to secure a roster spot and contribute on special teams. His familiarity with multiple offensive systems from his time with the Jets, Chiefs, and Steelers provides him with a versatile skill set that appeals to teams in need of experienced depth at the position.
With a one-year contract that runs through 2025, Perine has stability to compete for a defined role rather than simply a practice squad position. His durability, pass-catching ability, and special teams experience make him a candidate to fill a complementary role in a backfield rotation.
The 2025 season represents an opportunity for Perine to extend a journeyman career that has already produced two Super Bowl rings. If he can stay healthy and capitalize on a limited role, he could remain a contributing veteran presence on an NFL roster well beyond 2025.