Denzel Perryman

Denzel Perryman's Biography

Entitled “From High School Students to NFL Linebackers: The Journey of Denzel Perryman”

Birthed into the world on December 5, 1992, Denzel Perryman would emerge as an exceptional football talent. He began his journey to becoming an American professional football linebacker at Coral Gables Senior High School. The future Los Angeles Chargers player would record 177 tackles, 12 losses, 9 sacks, 9 interceptions, and 5 interception returns for touchdowns, drawing attention as a standout senior.

His childhood accomplishments were not just limited to his senior year. As a junior, he registered 166 solo tackles, earning the Defensive Player of the Year in his area. His sophomore year was equally impressive, garnishing 105 tackles, 9 sacks, and 6 interceptions. These early feats planted the seeds for his successful career in the National Football League (NFL).

His college years were spent developing his skills at the University of Miami, Florida. He kept football fans on the edge of their seats, playing as a true freshman, participating in all 12 games, and earning eight starts. His stellar performances propelled him to the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) freshmen rankings and second overall on his team with 127 tackles. Perryman soon became recognized as a valuable player and was hailed as an All-ACC selection in 2013 and 2014, and a semi-finalist for top linebacker of the year in 2014.

For Denzel, these milestones were just stepping stones towards his goal. He continued his game-stopping performances and ultimately established himself as an undeniably strong force. His prodigious efforts did not go unnoticed, and he was invited to participate in the 2015 Senior Bowl alongside his Miami colleagues Phillip Dorsett, Clive Walford, and Ladarius Gunter. An unfortunate minor injury during practice kept him from playing in the actual game.

His journey to the NFL saw him attending the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, with an impressive performance placing him second among linebackers in the bench press and 18th in the 40-yard dash. Despite being hampered by multiple injuries during the draft process, Perryman displayed an insurmountable spirit, and he was still able to attain a second to third-round projection from NFL draft experts and scouts. He was even ranked as the fourth-best inside linebacker at the time by NFLDraftScout.com.

Perryman’s talents would soon become recognized by the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers. They selected Perryman in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, and he became the seventh linebacker chosen that year. Perryman signed a four-year $4.77 million contract with the Chargers in May, demonstrating the value his new team placed on his abilities.

Perryman’s path in NFL hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Despite facing heavy criticism and being sidelined because of a hamstring injury, he persevered. Perryman would later seal his place in the NFL by competing against other strong linebackers and making a name for himself. Tragedy struck again when Perryman suffered a shoulder injury while playing for the Chargers. He eventually returned to aid a depleted defense but was still dealing with the aftermath of his injury. Despite the setback, Perryman managed to gather seven combined tackles and a pass break-up and even made his first career interception off of Matt Ryan during a 33-30 overtime victory at the Atlanta Falcons.

Life at San Diego was interrupted when they suddenly returned to Los Angeles for the 2017 season. Perryman entered training camp as a starting middle linebacker, transitioning from one of a doublet of inside linebackers to the dominating middle linebacker in the new 4-3 formation that the Chargers’ defense had switched to.

An unfortunate injury might have led Perryman to miss weeks of play, but it certainly didn’t dampen his spirits. When he returned, he played at outside linebacker, with a season-high ten combined tackles. Though faced with another hamstring injury later, Perryman continued to exhibit resilience.

Perryman’s continuous recovery and determination paid off. He started the 2018 season as the starting middle linebacker before suffering a knee injury. In 2019, he signed a two-year, $12 million contract extension with the Chargers. The following year, in 2020, he recorded his first sack of the season on Joe Flacco.

2021 was a year of movement for Perryman. That March, he was signed by the Carolina Panthers for a two-year deal before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in August. With the Raiders, Perryman had a breakout year, recording a franchise and personal career high of 154 tackles and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. His journey next took him to the Houston Texans where he played from 2023. Despite enduring a two-game suspension for multiple violations, Perryman demonstrated his unwavering dedication to the sport.

In 2024, Denzel Perryman came full circle, returning to his first professional team, the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite the ups and downs, personal and professional trials, Perryman’s journey attests to his dedication, resilience, and robust love for the sport that began decades earlier in the football fields of Coral Gables Senior High School.