Ole Miss Linebacker Suntarine Perkins Named to Lombardi Award Watch List

OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss junior linebacker Suntarine Perkins has been named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious Lombardi Award, the Lombardi Award Committee announced Tuesday.

Perkins is among 54 players nationally — and one of just 16 from the SEC — to earn a spot on the list for the award, which honors outstanding college linemen who embody the values of legendary coach Vince Lombardi: leadership, courage, performance, and discipline on and off the field. Established in 1970, the Lombardi Award also recognizes athletes who demonstrate strength, agility, and exceptional football IQ.

This marks another accolade for Perkins, who is also on the watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The Raleigh, Mississippi, native has been named a preseason All-American by Walter Camp (second team), The Sporting News (second team), and Phil Steele (fourth team).

As a sophomore in 2024, Perkins was a key contributor to a Rebel defense that set program records in both sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120) — leading the nation in both categories. He ranked fourth on the team with 60 tackles, tied for the team lead in TFL (14.0) and sacks (10.5), and delivered one of the best individual performances in recent program history with 4.0 sacks against Oklahoma — the most by an Ole Miss defender in a single game since 1993.

Perkins’ 10.5 sacks tied for second in single-season school history, while his 14.0 TFL tied for 10th all-time. Through two seasons, he has recorded 98 total tackles, 19.5 TFL, and 14.0 sacks across 26 games and 10 starts.

The 2025 Lombardi Award dinner is scheduled for Dec. 10, with proceeds benefiting cancer research.