College football: Perkins is headed to Illinois State
Posted: Friday, July 19, 2013
By Al Lesar
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Second chance. New lease.
David Perkins has another opportunity to prove himself.
Perkins, a Washington High grad who played football at Ohio State last year and then left the school, has landed at Illinois State University.
He picked the Redbirds over Bowling Green and Northern Illinois.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker played mostly on special teams for the Buckeyes last year. He appeared in 10 games, recording six tackles and one broken-up pass.
His most famous tackle at Ohio State was a hit on mascot Brutus Buckeye during a practice last spring. It received national attention on YouTube.
Shortly after the end of spring practice, Perkins chose to transfer. While visiting Bowling Green, he found himself in trouble. A late-night incident led to his arrest for criminal trespassing, criminal mischief, criminal damaging and underage consumption of alcohol.
Perkins, who is in Normal, Ill., now, did not return several phone calls from The Tribune. His coach at Washington (who is now at Niles High), Antwon Jones, said Perkins made financial restitution to the victims and the charges were dropped.
Jones is hopeful this is a turning point for Perkins.
"I hope he has learned what he's looking for," Jones said. "Hopefully, he took some lessons from everything he went through at Ohio State and afterward, and applies them to his life. Time management is important. I hope he learns how to make better decisions.
"These sorts of life lessons can make him a better man."
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