Tag: ronnie perkins

Oklahoma’s 2018 signing class re-ranked No. 34 by The Athletic

Four years later, The Athletic re-ranked OU’s 2018 class No. 34 nationally. It was originally the No. 9 class in the 247Sports composite.

There’s always excitement on national signing day when a class is officially inked. It’s hard to argue against the importance of signing one of the nation’s best classes, too.

In the five signing classes leading up to its national championship season, each of college football’s past five national champions had at least two top-10 classes in the 247Sports composite rankings. Clemson in the 2018 college football season was the only national champion of the last five to not have recorded three or more top-five signing classes in its five most recent signing classes.

Ahead of their respective championship seasons, the average rankings for each of the past five national champions’ last five recruiting rankings in the 247Sports composite rankings look like this: 2021 Georgia averaged out at 2.2, 2020 Alabama at 2, 2019 LSU at 6.8, 2018 Clemson at 11.8 and 2017 Alabama at 1.

So, it makes sense why Oklahoma fans would be pleased with what is currently rated as the No. 8 signing class in the 2022 cycle according to 247Sports, Rivals, and On3.

It’s fair to argue that signing classes are perhaps best judged several years later. That’s what The Athletic has been attempting to do over the past couple of years.

In The Athletic’s look back at college football’s 2018 signing classes, Oklahoma’s 2018 class was re-ranked No. 34 nationally (subscription). OU’s 2018 signing class was originally the No. 9 class in the 247Sports composite rankings.

Here are the criteria that The Athletic used to re-rank the classes:

The scoring system for grading these classes remains the same, a 0-to-5 scale. We’re assessing scholarship players and walk-ons who earned scholarships by what they’ve achieved in four years, not projecting what they could do in the future.

5 points: All-American, award winner, top-50 NFL Draft pick
4: Multiyear starter, all-conference honors
3: One-year starter or key reserve
2: Career backup
0: Minor or no contribution, left the program

Because class sizes vary, we focus on class average (total points divided by total signees) as the measuring stick. A wins bonus is added to each class based on its four-year record. The attrition rate listed counts all signees who left school due to transfer, grad transfer, dismissal, ineligibility or injury.

Which programs minimized their misses and developed true difference-makers over the past four years? – Max Olson, The Athletic.

In The Athletic’s 2018 class re-ranking, OU earned an average of 2.44. Fourteen classes that were originally in 247Sports’ top 25 of the 2018 composite team rankings fell out of the top 25 in this class re-rank.

In some ways, it may still be too early to fully judge Oklahoma’s 2018 signing class. For example, defensive tackle Jalen Redmond, linebacker DaShaun White and tight end Brayden Willis were members of that 2018 class, and all three figure to have important starting roles for OU in 2022.

The 2018 class also included defensive starters Brian Asamoah, Nik Bonitto, Pat Fields, Ronnie Perkins, and Delarrin Turner-Yell. Still, Oklahoma’s 2018 class has been ravaged by attrition and the highest-rated player in that OU class, offensive tackle Brey Walker, has been primarily a reserve and special teams player.

Out of that 2018 class, the following players transferred elsewhere: cornerback Brendan Radley-Hiles to Washington, defensive tackle Michael Thompson to Missouri Southern State, running back T.J. Pledger to Utah, defensive end Ron Tatum to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, wide receiver Jaqualyn Crawford to Arkansas, quarterback Tanner Mordecai to SMU, wide receiver Jaylon Robinson to UCF, cornerback Miguel Edwards to Independence Community College and cornerback Starrland Baldwin to Laney College.

Offensive tackle Tramonda Moore was also dismissed from the team during the 2018 season.

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WR Nelson Agholor among Patriots returning to practice on Wednesday

Nelson Agholor returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon.

New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor returned to practice on Wednesday. The 28-year-old wide receiver has been out since suffering a concussion against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

Agholor has caught 36 passes for 450 yards and three touchdowns. His best game statistically came against the Miami Dolphins in the season opener. He caught seven passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. His last touchdown came against the Atlanta Falcons on November 18. In that game, he caught five passes for 40 yards in addition to the score.

In other practice news, defensive end Ronnie Perkins returned to practice on Wednesday as well. He has been on injured reserve since mid-December. He has not played in a game yet for New England the season.

Safety Kyle Dugger was not present at practice on Wednesday. The reason for his absence remains unclear.

As New England gets ready to face the Miami Dolphins, the Patriots may get a big boost back to their wide receiver room with the playoffs nearing.

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Former Sooner Ronnie Perkins shares thoughts on Lincoln Riley’s exit

Former Oklahoma Sooners edge rusher Ronnie Perkins shared his thoughts on Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC.

The dust has begun to settle and it’s beginning to slowly sink in what took place in Oklahoma following Bedlam. By now, you know the story. Lincoln Riley is at USC, making the less than a day removed from the Sooners loss to Oklahoma State.

However, how it transpired is deserving of an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary.

Since Sunday, the college football world has tried to piece together and understand just what had happened. We may never know the full story. What we do know is that it caused a major ripple effect within the Oklahoma program, the current team, prospective and former players alike.

While some of the current players have rallied together,others have entered the transfer portal. Former players have been as active on social media as ever voicing their opinions and offering their perspectives and support.

One of the more recent Sooner drafts picks spoke out. Ronnie Perkins, now a defensive end with the New England Patriots said his piece on the events.

Perkins’ statement speak volumes and echos the sentiments of so many people. He was a major part of reshaping of Oklahoma defense under Alex Grinch. His lowest moment as a Sooner came when he and two other were suspended for failing a drug test before Oklahoma’s appearance in the 2019 Peach Bowl.

The six-game suspension would carry over into 2020 and while many thought it was a bit harsh, Lincoln Riley repeatedly went to bat in front of the media in support of Perkins and the other Sooners suspended. It’s likely that it resonated with him and meant a lot.

Perkins would come back and transform the Sooners defense in the second half of the season, leading to a top 100 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Ronnie Perkins was a major leader on the field and in the locker room. He was well respected and revered by his teammates and his comments voice a level of disappointment in someone he respected and was thankful for.

For all of the outside noise about this being a business, and rightfully so, there are principles to certain situations that supersede things. Would the players and fans be upset he left? Of course. However, judging by the social media reactions from current and former players, how quickly this all took place and how it went down has left a noticeably sour taste in the mouths of those who are or were Oklahoma football players.

It remains abundantly clear that other players have also felt the same way about the Lincoln Riley fiasco as well as how other things have gone down since Sunday. Judging by social media posts, interviews, and the like the principles and etiquette required of these moments was lost in translation.

As the Oklahoma Sooners and those close to the program continue to move forward, people must never lose sight of why Riley’s move was such a major deal in the first place: Principles, principles, and more principles.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Patriots WR N’Keal Harry, CB Shaun Wade among inactives vs. Panthers

N’Keal Harry and Shaun Wade are the key inactive players for the Patriots in Week 9.

On Friday, the New England Patriots had 13 players listed as questionable for the Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Key players like Nick Folk and Jake Bailey, along with a slew of defensive starters were looking shaky to be active against Carolina.

New England announced the inactive players ahead of the game and the team is fairly healthy in comparison to the lengthy injury report heading into the weekend. N’Keal Harry (knee) and Shaun Wade are the key names that will miss the Week 9 matchup.

Devin Asiasi, Ronnie Perkins, Yasir Durant and J.J. Taylor are the other players who were listed inactive.

Christian McCaffrey and Sam Darnold are active for the Panthers.

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LOOK: Oklahoma Sooners past and future launch CHO23N recruiting campaign

Oklahoma Sooners of the past and future took to Twitter to launch OU’s #CHO23N recruiting campaign with personalized player cards and videos.

It’s been a pretty great summer already on the 2023 recruiting trail. Early in the cycle, the Oklahoma Sooners have landed three five-star commitments, two four-star commitments, and one from a quickly rising interior offensive lineman.

As August gives way to September and the opening of the latest contact period, the Oklahoma Sooners began their 2023 recruiting push with a social media launch.

Using the hashtag #CHO23N, the OU athletics media department launched a social media push for the class of 2023. With Sooners in the NFL and 2023 commits like Malachi Nelson and Luke Hasz on board, Annie Hanson and her team created a multimedia campaign to assist with the Sooners recruiting efforts.

Not only is the “23” in #CHO23N a reference to the 2023 recruiting cycle, but a reference to their deal with Michael Jordan and his brand of apparel. Jordan highlights can be seen in short videos produced for Malachi Nelson and Luke Hasz’s Twitter accounts.

The videos take on a late 80s hip-hop music video flair aimed at targets from Oklahoma, California, and Florida and shared by their high-level commits from each of those states.

Though much of the focus in college football is on the week one slate of games, the OU athletic department captured the attention of the college football world with its launch. It was a fun and exciting look at the past and future of Oklahoma Sooners football.

Take a look at the player cards and videos the OU athletics media department created for such former greats like CeeDee Lamb, Lane Johnson, and Samaje Perine.

Patriots rookie Ronnie Perkins says he’ll carry Jerod Mayo’s ‘legacy’ with No. 51

“To wear that number, you’ve got to go out there and knock their heads off playing fast.”

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New England Patriots outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins is already setting the bar high entering his rookie year.

Perkins, a third-round pick out of Oklahoma, made the switch from No. 52 in training camp to No. 51 ahead of the Patriots’ preseason matchup against the Washington Football Team. Jerod Mayo, the Patriots’ inside linebackers coach who spent eight years as a player, is one of the more prominent members to don that same number.

Perkins is aware of the accomplishments during his time as a player and relayed the message he received from Mayo while choosing the No. 51.

“He’s like, ‘You’ve got to carry on that legacy. That’s a big number to wear,’ ” Perkins said, transcribed by NESN. “… Mayo told me I’ve got to carry the tradition, man. You can’t wear that number and go out there doing BS. To wear that number, you’ve got to go out there and knock their heads off playing fast. So (I’ve) got to carry on that tradition for him.”

Ja’Whaun Bentley carried that number since 2018, but he made the switch to No. 8 with the new NFL jersey rules.

“I told Bent if I could get 51, I want it, because he just switched out of it,” Perkins said “I was like, ‘if I could get that, I’d be happy.’ … It’s kind of like me just carrying on their tradition and balling out in that number.”

In three seasons at Oklahoma, Perkins tallied 98 tackles with 32 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. He played in 53 percent of the Patriots’ snaps against Washington and played a huge part in Joejuan Williams’ interception.

The future is bright for Perkins.

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Mac Jones and Ronnie Perkins have friendly competition brewing in camp

Ronnie Perkins and Mac Jones have established friendly banter in camp.

As the New England Patriots settle into the first week of training camp, some friendly competition is already brewing. Quarterback Mac Jones and linebacker Ronnie Perkins love to chirp back and forth with practices underway.

Perkins has a good reason for doing so — defensive players cannot hit the quarterback during practice. As a result, Perkins takes his energy out in a different way following a play.

This good-natured trash talk is not one-sided. Jones has also held his own in that regard. As the adrenaline kicks in and the competition heats up, Jones and Perkins are not afraid to dish it out to each other.

“I mean, really, it’s not bad (not being able to hit),” Perkins said. “It’s just kind of funny because you’ll be like ‘bro I could have laid you out in a game.’ We know it’s practice. We know we can’t really take a hit on them. But, you know, it’s just cool to talk stuff to them, like ‘bro I could have killed you’ and stuff like that.”

“Just messing with Mac sometimes, you know, (expletive), we talk stuff to each other all the time, but also we walking through, we also greet each other, I ask him ‘how you been doing, how you’ve been picking things up.’ So there’s building a relationship with him and also like messing around with him after that play that almost got him.”

Both figure to be a key part of the Patriots’ present and future. With the rookies getting their first taste of life in the NFL, this bond the pair is forming could work out well for players and organization alike.

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Patriots sign rookie LB Ronnie Perkins

The New England Patriots have signed linebacker Ronnie Perkins.

Another member of the New England Patriots 2021 draft class signed his rookie deal. The Patriots announced they signed linebacker Ronnie Perkins on Tuesday.

Perkins was taken in the third round of April’s draft, 96th overall. Perkins comes off a 2020 season in which he did not play many games for Oklahoma. He still managed to produce. He appear in six contests, recording 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss.

Perkins tweeted about his new deal on Tuesday, promising to put in work for the Patriots. This leaves defensive tackle and second-round pick Christian Barmore as the only member of the 2021 draft class to remain unsigned.

As the Patriots look to get back in the playoff hunt for 2021, this rookie class may play a big hand in the getting the job done. Perkins has a chance to provide a spark defensively.

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Ronnie Perkins discusses transition to different role with Patriots

“I’ll say I have a good athletic background that allows me to transition into stuff like that.”

New England Patriots rookie defensive end Ronnie Perkins spent all three years at Oklahoma on the defensive line.

Perkins, who was drafted in the third round, had 16.5 total sacks in college and his only two goals were to stop the run and sack the quarterback. The Patriots are looking to transition the 6-foot-2, 253 pounder into an outside linebacker who occasionally drops back into coverage. He’s been working with linebacker coaches Steve Belichick and Jerod Mayo, rather than defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington.

While speaking with reporters, Perkins alluded to the idea that he’ll pick the new role up pretty quickly.

“I’ll say I have a good athletic background that allows me to transition into stuff like that,” Perkins said, transcribed by NESN. “It’ll allow me to transition into coverage easily just because I had a tight end background, so I’m kind of good with footwork and everything, so that’ll help my transition to linebacker.”

Perkins has incredible personnel around him with the coaching staff and players like Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy and Matthew Judon.

“Pretty much everyone in our room has been around for a real long time,” Perkins said. “Coach Mayo, he played in the system, Steve, he’s been around the system his whole life, and then you got guys like Hightower and KV, they’ve been in the system for a long time. So I’ve got some great guys to learn from every day.”

Per NESN, Perkins said he has been studying some of the Patriots greats at his position.

“I see just a lot of stuff that I can do that they can do better just because they’re experienced and everything,” Perkins said. “So this my first crack at the NFL, so still kind of — I’d probably say at a little nervous point, should I do this or think too much? So just watching those guys and seeing how they do stuff without thinking just helps me a lot.”

Perkins and second-round pick Christian Barmore should add a strong presence to the Patriots’ front seven.

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4 things Patriots fans should know about DE Ronnie Perkins

The Patriots added to their front-seven again with a Sooner.

The New England Patriots continued to add to their defense on the second day of the draft when they selected defensive end Ronnie Perkins out of Oklahoma in the third round.

Perkins was the first of two Sooners selected by the Patriots on draft weekend with running back Rhamondre Stevenson following later on.

In an offseason that was highlighted by the addition of two stud tight ends, the Patriots have quietly built an intriguing front seven that could make an impact right away this season.

Perkins may only get rotational snaps to start, as is expected with rookies in New England, but his ceiling seems to be a lot higher than that.

Here are four things fans should know about the rookie defensive end.