Lane Kiffin reveals Suntarine Perkins already earning nicknames on the Ole Miss defense
Suntarine Perkins is making a name for himself barely past halfway into his first season in college football. The Ole Miss linebacker is also earning nicknames due to his performance.
The Raleigh High School standout is leading the Rebels with 3.5 sacks — tied with defensive end Isaac Ukwu — introducing himself to opposing defense’s backfield.
Thursday brought the revelation that Perkins is not called by either his first or last name during practice by Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Instead he is called something else that is more practical in nature.
The reply came from a question asked to Kiffin during his coach’s show of how to properly pronounce Perkins’ first name.
“We just call him ‘Get,'” said Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin during Reb Talk. “Because he gets the ball every time. …Pete Golding named him ‘Get.’ Like he just goes and gets the ball every time. It’s a lot easier.”
However or whatever anyone wants to call Perkins, one thing they must call him is Southeastern Conference Co-Freshman of the Week. He earned his first SEC weekly honor after his performance against Auburn last Saturday.
Perkins ha five tackles, including one tackle for a loss of four yards, against the Tigers. Defensive end Cedric Johnson joined Perkins with two Ole Miss players earning a weekly honor. Johnson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
Kiffin was also asked about Perkins and Johnson being recognized by the league office.
“That’s awesome. When guys plays good and team plays good then guys get recognized,” Kiffin said. “When you lose they don’t get recognized. Usually with any awards the praise comes because they’re doing good but the team’s doing good as well.”
The Ole Miss wide receivers room was also a popular topic with the fan questions.
Tre Harris was the player-guest on Reb Talk and that led to several questions about the Louisiana Tech transfer. Against Auburn Harris played in the slot more with Jordan Watkins a non-factor with a broken hand and heavily taped and wrapped.
When the offense was in need of a spark Harris made two back-to-back catches to jump start and lead to Jaxson Dart‘s touchdown run to end the third quarter.
“It’s actually amazing what (Harris) has done,” Kiffin said. In his last three healthy games where he’s played full speed he’s had three 100-yard receiving games at all three different spots. He’s played left receiver, right receiver and then he played slot last week.”
Kiffin also used the chance to do a semi-recruiting pitch to Harris.
“Sounds like a guy who should come back for his senior year.”
One receiver that has not been as prevalent through the first seven games is freshman Ayden Williams. On offense Williams was the highly-touted prospect that Kiffin landed along with Perkins.
Earlier this month Kiffin noted Williams had dealt with an illness that slowed down his progress made early in the season. On Thursday the fourth-year Ole Miss head coach shed a little more light on Williams situation.
“Ayden had a really good camp and then he actually had COVID and that set him back some,” Kiffin said. “He’s going to be a great player but some of that is just not getting opportunities.”
