The New England Patriots found help on the defensive side of the ball when they chose Ronnie Perkins with the No. 96 pick overall. Head coach Bill Belichick seems to always find ways to get quality picks in the middle rounds, or players that many believe should have been drafted early than they went. Now the Patriots have an edge defender who will be coming to Foxboro with a chip on his shoulder.
“Ronnie was a leader and impact player in our program for the last couple years.” Riley said in a released statement. “He’s really developed into an outstanding edge player. He’s equally good in pass rush as he is in defending the run game. He plays with an edge and an attitude that really takes a guy who’s talented and transforms him into becoming an even better player. I think he’ll certainly be a guy who will create a lot of problems on the edge at the next level for the Patriots.”
Perkins selection made him the highest-drafted defensive end for Oklahoma since Dan Cody in 2005 to the Ravens. Perkins was thankful for Oklahoma and the fans for his time in Norman, Oklahoma.
” I just want to tell OU fans thank you for the greatest three years of my life. Without them, I wouldn’t be a New England Patriot. The fans played a big part in me going to Oklahoma. I remember my official visit — 2017 vs. Texas Tech. I remember that exact moment, looking around the crowd and telling myself, ‘I’m coming to this university.’ The OU fans played a big part in my success and they helped me fight through adversity. So shoutout to everyone for sticking with me.”
Check out the Twitter reactions following his selection:
They might still be celebrating in St. Louis! @7avageszn #OUDNA
📺 #NFLDraft on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/djdCEas4nc
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) May 1, 2021
Proud of you brotha! https://t.co/O9BkLeGlzG
— Creed Humphrey (@creed_humphrey) May 1, 2021
Perk pics 📸 pic.twitter.com/o6HCVmaa7d
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 1, 2021
Pats nation y’all just got a dawg🙌🏾😈 pic.twitter.com/aDsCvy8OL0
— Ronnie Perkins™ (@7avageszn) May 1, 2021
@7avageszn great moment with the big fella pic.twitter.com/4B2uTisqAA
— calvin thibodeaux (@CoachThibbs) May 1, 2021
Game. Wrecker.@7avageszn is taking that controlled rage to the @Patriots‼️#SpeedD | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/O5lQvnnLmj
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) May 1, 2021
Champions going to Champions! Congrats @7avageszn #OUDNA https://t.co/R2YEM7DiqW
— Cale Gundy (@OU_CoachGundy) May 1, 2021
PERRRRRRK!🙌🏽 https://t.co/rUhI0pD1Lb
— Kyler Murray (@K1) May 1, 2021
The @Patriots select edge rusher Ronnie Perkins (@7avageszn) with the 96th pick!
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/BOrAT6s1qj
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 1, 2021
31 teams bout to regret passing up on him 💯
— . (@nikkkkbonitto) May 1, 2021
Yessir @7avageszn ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
— Neville Gallimore (@Path2Greatwork) May 1, 2021
Patriots pick Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma ED
Only DL with 90+ grades in run-defense and pass-rush in 2020🔥 pic.twitter.com/3NEGn3Lkf0
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) May 1, 2021
The #Patriots pick, No. 96, is the comp pick for losing QB Tom Brady. In his honor, they select OU DE Ronnie Perkins — @MoveTheSticks’s 44th overall player.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2021
With the 96th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Patriots select EDGE Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma#NFLDraft2021 pic.twitter.com/ktebJU417F
— PFF (@PFF) May 1, 2021
Ronnie Perkins is my No. 40 overall player in this class.#Patriots fantastic draft class continues.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) May 1, 2021
Ronnie Perkins: "I definitely know the Patriots fans will love me, just the way I play."
Said he loves Willie McGinest, Dont'a Hightower and Stephon Gilmore.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) May 1, 2021