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Inside linebacker
Coral Gables (FL) Coral Gables
Ht: 6-foot-0
Wt: 210 lbs
Coral Gables LB on a collision course with stardom - High School Sports - MiamiHerald.com
Scout Profile
Inside linebacker
Coral Gables (FL) Coral Gables
Ht: 6-foot-0
Wt: 210 lbs
Coral Gables LB on a collision course with stardom
Hard-hitting Denzel Perryman is expected to wreak havoc again this year. 'When he gets near the ball, the play ends,' coach Joe Montoya said.
By MELISSA MARTI
Miami Herald Writer
Coral Gables linebacker Denzel Perryman moves in for a sack during a game against Varela at Tropical Park Stadium on Dept. 13, 2008.
CHRIS CUTRO / FREELANCER
Coral Gables linebacker Denzel Perryman believes the attention he has attracted from various college coaches is due to what he enjoys most on the football field -- making jarring tackles.
``I love collisions,'' Perryman said.
That hasn't been good news for opposing quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.
The 6-foot-0, 210-pound Perryman thrives on roaming the field using his 4.55-second 40-yard speed, then zeroing in on his target.
``When he gets near the ball, the play ends,'' Coral Gables coach Joe Montoya said of his junior standout. ``You can't say that with most kids.''
Good linebackers are athletic, tough and versatile, qualities that describe Perryman, who has yet to commit early to a college, though he has offers from Ohio State, Florida, Florida State and the University of Miami and is only beginning to understand his athletic and academic potential.
Perryman was first-team All-Dade and first-team All-State last season and is poised to be one of the best linebackers in a long line of greatness at Coral Gables.
``I watch film from last season, and there are a lot more plays I could have made and didn't. It won't be that way this season,'' Perryman said.
Perryman has worked at several different linebacker spots this preseason, including middle and strong-side linebacker. He's also a candidate to play some more of a hybrid pass-rushing position on passing downs.
Montoya says Perryman is a natural to rush the passer with great burst off the edge and the strength to fight off blockers.
``His game has gotten better,'' Montoya said. ``I think he'll surprise a few people because he is quick to react and playing a lot more naturally.''
And while Perryman will let everybody else weigh in on where he rates among the best linebackers in Coral Gables' tradition-rich history, he does have a promise for Cavaliers fans.
``I'll play wherever it's going to help this team win,'' he said. ``Whatever it takes for this team to beat Columbus, I'll do. That's the mind-set of this whole team and I'm sticking to it.'
Coral Gables LB on a collision course with stardom - High School Sports - MiamiHerald.com
