Ole Miss LB signee Suntarine Perkins now a Five-Star Plus+ recruit

There were not many players as dominant as Raleigh (Miss.) linebacker Suntarine Perkins was during the 2022 season. The Ole Miss signee’s performance on both sides of the ball helped lead his school to a state championship.

On defense, Perkins recorded 92 tackles, five sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Meanwhile, he rushed for 2,078 yards and 32 touchdowns, as well as reeled in 12 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns.

These strong performances helped Perkins achieve Five-Star Plus+ status on Thursday. The 6-foot-1.5, 205-pound defender is now ranked by each of the four major recruiting services — On3, 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN — as a five-star recruit.

He joins a list that includes some of the most talented players in high school football. New Orleans Isidore Newman quarterback Arch Manning, Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep EDGE Keon Keeley and Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman wide receiver Zachariah Branch are just a few of those prospects.

For more Ole Miss recruiting intel, check out OM Spirit.

Perkins is the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 1 linebacker in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in Mississippi.

Perkins has an On3 NIL Valuation of $199K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Suntarine Perkins On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Suntarine Perkins:

“Dynamic two-way playmaker at the high school level with difference-making potential as a linebacker long-term. Checks in at over 6-foot-1, 205 pounds as a senior. Has a high-cut build with elite length. One of the longer linebackers in the 2023 cycle with 33.75-inch arm length. Works as a running back and linebacker for his high school, which plays in a smaller classification in Mississippi. Turned in a historic senior season in leading his team to a state title. Rushed for 2,078 yards (12.2 yards per carry) and 32 touchdowns, while tallying 92 tackles, five sacks and four interceptions on defense. Was utterly dominant in the state title, rushing for 334 yards and four touchdowns, four 2-point conversions, along with an interception on defense.

“An athletic mover on defense with sideline to sideline range. Erases outside plays with his play speed and length. Shows considerable pop as a striker. Drives through ball carriers. Looks to be a natural operating in space, which is aided by his prior experience at safety. Flashes playmaking ability on offense, where he serves as a dominant running back. Out-athletes the competition with the ball in his hands. Uses his easy, natural stride to pull away from defenders in the open field. Turned in a truly dominant performance at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game along with a good showing at the Under Armour All-America Game. Older for the class, turning 18 years-old during his junior season. Has the look of a high-responder once in a college strength and conditioning program, given his frame and growth potential.”