Ronnie Perkins Bio
Ronnie Perkins (born September 29, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma and was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, Perkins has built his career as a pass-rushing defensive player at the professional level. Since entering the league, he has spent time with multiple NFL organizations and has also competed in spring football.
Early Life and Background
Ronnie Perkins was born on September 29, 1999, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in the St. Louis area and attended Lutheran High School North, where he developed into a highly regarded defensive prospect. At Lutheran North, Perkins played on the defensive line and earned recognition as one of the top high school defenders in the St. Louis region.
As a senior in 2017, Perkins was named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro football defensive player of the year, a prestigious honor that reflected his dominance at the prep level. Following his senior season, he was selected to play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a showcase that highlights the nation’s top high school football talent. His performance in that game reinforced his status as a priority recruit.
After completing his high school career, Perkins committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football. He was rated among the top defensive end prospects in the country and joined a Sooners program with a strong track record of developing NFL defensive linemen. His combination of size, athleticism, and production made him an immediate contributor upon arriving in Norman.
Path to American Football
Perkins’ path to professional football began in earnest at the University of Oklahoma, where he joined a competitive defensive line rotation. As a true freshman in 2018, he started seven games and recorded 37 tackles along with five sacks, an impressive debut that earned him a starting role heading into his second season. His quick development positioned him as one of the key edge rushers in the Big 12 Conference.
In his sophomore year, Perkins started all 13 games he appeared in and continued to produce, finishing the campaign with 38 tackles and six sacks. However, he was suspended for the 2019 Peach Bowl after a failed drug test, and the suspension carried over into the start of his junior season in 2020, keeping him out of action for the first five games. Despite the setback, Perkins earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors in both 2019 and 2020, validating his standing among the conference’s top pass rushers.
Ronnie Perkins Career
Early Career (2021-2022)
Ronnie Perkins entered the NFL when he was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round, 96th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. On July 20, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with the team. As a rookie, Perkins was inactive for the first 13 games of the season and was placed on injured reserve on December 17 without ever appearing in a regular-season game.
In 2022, Perkins’ second year with New England, he was again placed on injured reserve, this time on August 23. The injury issues limited his ability to establish himself within the Patriots’ defensive rotation and stalled his early professional development.
New England Patriots Release (2023)
On August 29, 2023, Ronnie Perkins was released by the New England Patriots. He was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, but his time on the active roster had come to an end. The Patriots later moved on, allowing Perkins to seek opportunities elsewhere as a free agent.
Denver Broncos Era (2023-2024)
On September 18, 2023, Perkins was signed by the Denver Broncos, giving him a fresh start with a new organization. He was waived on December 14 and re-signed to the practice squad shortly thereafter. On January 8, 2024, Perkins signed a reserve/future contract with Denver, signaling the team’s interest in retaining him for the following season.
The 2024 offseason brought another setback, as Perkins was designated as waived/injured by the Broncos on August 6 and reverted to injured reserve the following day after going unclaimed on waivers. He was released by Denver on September 17, ending his time with the organization.
Arizona Cardinals (2024)
On October 16, 2024, Perkins signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, joining another NFL franchise in search of a roster opportunity. He remained with the Cardinals until December 3, when he was waived from the practice squad.
Birmingham Stallions (2025)
On February 4, 2025, Perkins signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL), the top spring professional football league in the United States. He was placed on injured reserve on May 12, which cut short his spring campaign. The UFL stint provided Perkins with a chance to stay on the field and continue developing his game.
Atlanta Falcons (2025)
On August 18, 2025, Perkins signed with the Atlanta Falcons, returning to the NFL. He was released by Atlanta during preliminary roster cuts on August 23 and re-signed to the practice squad on September 2. He was released on September 9, concluding his time with the Falcons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Perkins’ most notable milestone came in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he showcased his skills on a national stage as a high school senior. He was also named the St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro football defensive player of the year in 2017, and earned Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2019 and 2020. Being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft stands as the defining achievement of his career to date.
Ronnie Perkins Family
Personal Life
Ronnie Perkins is from St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended Lutheran High School North. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle @__perk7. Details about his family and personal relationships have not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
Ronnie Perkins’ 2025 campaign has featured stops with two different organizations across professional and spring football. He began the year with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, signing on February 4, before a stint on injured reserve in May. The spring league provided him an opportunity to remain game-ready while pursuing another NFL opportunity.
After his release from the Stallions, Perkins signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 18. He was released during preliminary roster cuts on August 23 and re-signed to the practice squad on September 2. He was released again on September 9, ending his latest NFL stint.
As of late 2025, Perkins’ outlook remains focused on earning another opportunity, either with an NFL practice squad or on an active roster. His combination of edge-rushing experience at Oklahoma and time spent in multiple professional programs leaves him well-positioned to continue his career whenever the next opportunity arises.