 Perry with the San Diego Chargers in 2016 | |||||||
| No. 53, 49, 46 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | (1994-04-26)April 26, 1994 (age 30) Franklin, Tennessee, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 253 lb (115 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Olentangy (Lewis Center, Ohio) | ||||||
| College: | Ohio State | ||||||
| NFL draft: | 2016: 4th round, 102nd pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
| |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Joshua Perry (born April 26, 1994) is an American former professionalfootballlinebacker. He playedcollege football atOhio State, where he was part of the2014 National Championship team.
Perry attendedOlentangy High School inLewis Center, Ohio.[1] He was rated byRivals.com as a four-star recruit and was ranked among the topoutside linebackers in his class.[2] He committed toOhio State University to playcollege football.
Perry played in 10 games as atrue freshman at Ohio State in 2012 and had fivetackles. As a sophomore in 2013, he played in all 13 games and made 10 starts. For the season, he had 64 tackles and onesack, which was asafety.[3] As a junior, Perry played in all 15 games and started 14, leading the team in tackles with 124.[4][5] He also had three sacks. During the2015 College Football Playoff National Championship, he recorded six tackles.
Coming out of Ohio State, Perry was projected by the majority of analysts to be a second to fourth round draft selection. He was rated the seventh best outside linebacker out of the 203 available by NFLDraftScout.com.[6] Perry received positive reviews from scouts and analysts for his leadership, strength, productive tackling, conditioning, instincts, and anticipation. He was thought to be a limited playmaker who loses focus during blocks, with minimalman to man coverage skills, and below average sideline to sideline chase ability.[7]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft3+3⁄4 in (1.92 m) | 254 lb (115 kg) | 33+7⁄8 in (0.86 m) | 10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) | 4.68 s | 1.64 s | 2.72 s | 4.35 s | 7.21 s | 33+1⁄2 in (0.85 m) | 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) | 20 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[7]/Ohio State's Pro Day[6] | ||||||||||||
Perry was selected by theSan Diego Chargers in the fourth round (102nd overall) in the2016 NFL draft.[8] On May 9, 2016, the Chargers signed Perry to a four-year, $2.95 million contract with a signing bonus of $614,084.[9] Perry enteredtraining camp competing withNick Dzubnar to be the backup right inside linebacker.[10] Perry was named the third right inside linebacker behind veteranDenzel Perryman and Dzubnar to begin the regular season.
Perry made his professional regular season debut in the Chargers' season opener against theKansas City Chiefs. The following week, Perry made his first career solo tackle in a 38–14 victory over theJacksonville Jaguars. On October 2, 2016, he recorded three solo tackles in the Chargers' 35–34 loss to theNew Orleans Saints. On January 1, 2017, Perry received his first career start against the Kansas City Chiefs and recorded a season-high six combined tackles in a 37–27 loss.[11] He finished his rookie season with a total of 22 combined tackles in 15 games and one start.
On September 2, 2017, Perry was waived/injured by the Chargers and placed oninjured reserve.[12] He was released on September 9, 2017.
On September 18, 2017, Perry was signed to thepractice squad of theIndianapolis Colts.[13] He was promoted to the active roster on October 27, 2017.[14] He was waived by the Colts on November 14, 2017, and was re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts on January 1, 2018.[17] He was waived on May 11, 2018.[18]
On June 11, 2018, Perry signed withSeattle Seahawks.[19]
On July 30, 2018, Perry announced his retirement from the NFL due to concerns about concussions.[20]
Perry has started working for "The Fan" 97.1 FM, a sports radio station in Columbus, Ohio,[21] co-hosting "The NFL Hour" with Matt Hayes.[22] He has also made appearances on the Big Ten Network.[23][24]