Denzel Perryman
Denzel Perryman (born December 5, 1992) is an American football linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL).[1] Perryman played college football at the University of Miami, where he recorded 108 tackles in his senior year, leading the team.[2] He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round (48th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.[3] Over his professional career, Perryman has amassed 717 tackles and 7.5 sacks, including stints with the Las Vegas Raiders—where he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2021—the Houston Texans, and a return to the Chargers in 2024.[4][5] In August 2025, Perryman was arrested during a traffic stop after authorities discovered five firearms, including two classified as assault weapons under California law, in his vehicle; he was released from custody days later when the district attorney declined to file charges.[6][7]Early life
Childhood and family background
Denzel Perryman was born on December 5, 1992, in Coral Gables, Florida.[1] He was raised in Coral Gables by his father, Desmond Perryman Sr., who had played linebacker and fullback at Coral Gables Senior High School before coaching youth football in the area.[8][9] Perryman's family emphasized football from his earliest years, with his father conducting tackling drills in the living room and holding up pillows for the toddler Perryman to practice charging and wrapping up.[9][10] His given name derives from actor Denzel Washington, whom his parents admired; they had initially intended to name him Sebastian but opted for Denzel instead.[11]High school career
Perryman attended Coral Gables Senior High School in Coral Gables, Florida, where he played linebacker under head coach Joe Caldwell.[2] As a junior in 2010, he earned Miami Herald Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the Cavaliers' defense, contributing to a 10-2 record and a berth in the second round of the Florida playoffs.[2][12] In his senior season of 2011, Perryman amassed 137 tackles, including seven for loss, four sacks, and one interception, establishing himself as a punishing tackler known for his intensity.[2][13] Recruiting services evaluated him as a three-star prospect, with Rivals.com ranking him 25th nationally among inside linebackers and ESPNU placing him 28th at the position.[2]College career
University of Miami tenure
Perryman joined the University of Miami Hurricanes as a highly touted inside linebacker recruit from Coral Gables Senior High School in the class of 2011.[13] As a true freshman in 2011, he appeared in all 12 games with five starts, recording 69 tackles (47 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, and one sack, finishing first among Atlantic Coast Conference freshmen in tackles and second on the team overall.[2][14] His performance earned him Freshman All-America honors from Yahoo! Sports and CBSSports.com, as well as Miami's Newcomer of the Year award from coaches.[15][16] In his sophomore season of 2012, Perryman played nine games with six starts, accumulating 64 tackles (45 solo), six tackles for loss, and one interception returned 41 yards for a touchdown, including 12 tackles against Florida State.[2][14] He received third-team All-ACC recognition from Phil Steele and honorable mention from the ACC.[2] As a junior in 2013, Perryman started all 13 games at outside linebacker, leading the team with 108 tackles (69 solo), five tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, highlighted by a career-high 15 tackles against Virginia Tech.[2][14] He earned first-team All-ACC honors, the Butkus Award semifinalist distinction, Miami's Hard Hitter Award, and Defensive MVP accolade.[2][17] Perryman returned for his senior year in 2014 rather than entering the NFL Draft early.[18] Starting all 13 games, he posted 110 tackles (79 solo—a figure ranking third in the ACC), 9.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles, with 15 tackles against Virginia matching his career high.[2][14] His senior campaign garnered third-team All-America honors, first-team All-ACC selection, and Butkus Award finalist status.[2][19] Over four seasons, Perryman amassed 351 total tackles (240 solo), 27 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, and seven forced fumbles in 47 games, establishing himself as a cornerstone of Miami's defense.[14]College statistical achievements
Perryman concluded his college career at the University of Miami with 351 total tackles, including 240 solo stops, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, and 8 pass deflections over four seasons from 2011 to 2014.[14] His statistical output earned him back-to-back First-Team All-ACC selections in 2013 and 2014 from the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA) and conference coaches, reflecting his consistent tackling prowess and defensive impact.[2][20] The following table summarizes Perryman's defensive statistics by season:| Season | Games | Solo Tackles | Ast. Tackles | Total Tackles | TFL | Sacks | INT | FF | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 12 | 47 | 22 | 69 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 9 | 45 | 19 | 64 | 6.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 13 | 69 | 39 | 108 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2014 | 13 | 79 | 31 | 110 | 9.5 | 2.0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Professional career
Pre-draft evaluation
Perryman measured 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 236 pounds at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, with arm length of 31⅞ inches and hand size of 9½ inches.[22] His performance included a 40-yard dash time of 4.78 seconds, 27 bench press repetitions (ranking second among linebackers), a 32-inch vertical jump, and a 113-inch broad jump.[23] [22]| Drill | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yard dash | 4.78 seconds |
| Bench press | 27 reps |
| Vertical jump | 32 inches |
| Broad jump | 113 inches |
2015 NFL draft selection
Perryman was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft, 48th overall, on May 1, 2015.[29][30] The pick addressed the Chargers' need for a physical inside linebacker to complement Manti Te'o, with Perryman noted for his run-stopping instincts and tackling prowess from his Miami tenure.[31][32] No trades were involved in acquiring the selection, which the Chargers retained from their original draft position after using their first-round pick (17th overall) on defensive end Joey Bosa the previous day.[33] Perryman, projected as a mid-round prospect due to his 5-foot-11 frame limiting some teams' interest despite strong combine metrics—including a 4.66-second 40-yard dash—he signed a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $5.42 million, including a $2.18 million signing bonus, on May 14, 2015.[34][30]San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2015–2020)
Denzel Perryman was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round, 48th overall, of the 2015 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami.[3] He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $4.011 million, including a $1.15 million signing bonus.[3] As a rookie in 2015, Perryman started nine of 14 games, recording 73 combined tackles (64 solo), two sacks, and one forced fumble, establishing himself as a hard-hitting inside linebacker.[3] In 2016, Perryman started 11 of 12 appearances, amassing 72 tackles (56 solo), two sacks, and his first career interception.[3] The Chargers relocated to Los Angeles following the season. Injuries limited his play in subsequent years; he appeared in only seven games in 2017 with 37 tackles and one fumble recovery, and nine games in 2018 with 51 tackles and one interception.[3] Perryman rebounded in 2019, starting 10 of 14 games for 68 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.[3] On March 9, 2019, he signed a four-year extension with the Chargers worth up to $12 million.[35] In 2020, he played 13 games with six starts, contributing 48 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.[3] Over his six seasons with the Chargers, Perryman totaled 349 combined tackles, five sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles, often praised for his physical tackling style despite recurring injury setbacks.[3]| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Comb. Tackles | Solo | Ast. | Sacks | Int. | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | SD | 14 | 9 | 73 | 64 | 9 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | SD | 12 | 11 | 72 | 56 | 16 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | LAC | 7 | 6 | 37 | 25 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | LAC | 9 | 9 | 51 | 30 | 21 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | LAC | 14 | 10 | 68 | 50 | 18 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 | LAC | 13 | 6 | 48 | 25 | 23 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 |
Carolina Panthers (2021)
Perryman signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in March 2021, agreeing to a two-year contract to serve as the middle linebacker and replacement for Tahir Whitehead.[36] The signing followed his career-best 2020 season with the Chargers, where he demonstrated improved coverage skills and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of 83.3.[37] During the Panthers' 2021 offseason, Perryman participated in training camp and played in the team's first two preseason games, providing depth and veteran experience to the linebacker corps amid roster adjustments.[38] However, he recorded no regular-season statistics with Carolina, as the team traded him before the start of the campaign.[39] On August 25, 2021, the Panthers traded Perryman to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick (pending physical), clearing space at linebacker after acquiring other defensive talent like Haason Reddick.[40] The move reflected ongoing roster evaluations under head coach Matt Rhule, prioritizing scheme fit over retaining the 27-year-old run-stuffer.[41]Las Vegas Raiders (2021–2022)
On August 25, 2021, the Carolina Panthers traded Perryman and a 2022 seventh-round draft pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick.[40] Perryman immediately became a starter at inside linebacker for the Raiders, appearing in 15 games with 15 starts during the 2021 regular season.[3] He recorded 154 total tackles (102 solo), one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries, marking career highs in tackles and establishing him as a defensive leader.[3] His performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection.[5] In the 2022 season, Perryman started 11 of the 12 games he played before sustaining a separated shoulder injury in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year.[42] He amassed 83 total tackles (54 solo), one sack, and two interceptions (for 48 yards).[3] Over his two seasons with the Raiders, Perryman totaled 156 solo tackles.[5]Houston Texans (2023)
Perryman signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Houston Texans on March 22, 2023, bringing veteran linebacker experience to bolster their run defense.[43][44] In the 2023 regular season, he appeared in 12 games with 11 starts, primarily at middle linebacker, where he ranked fourth on the team with 76 total tackles (45 solo, 31 assisted), including 0.5 sack and three forced fumbles.[3][45][46] On November 14, 2023, the NFL suspended Perryman for two games (reduced from three upon appeal) without pay for repeated violations of rules prohibiting helmet-initiated contact, stemming from hits during games against the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[47][48] The suspension highlighted ongoing league enforcement of player safety protocols, though Perryman had been a physical presence in the Texans' defensive scheme prior to the penalties.[49]Los Angeles Chargers (2024–present)
On March 19, 2024, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Perryman to a one-year contract worth approximately $2.3 million, marking his return to the franchise after previous stints with the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Houston Texans.[50][51] Perryman, a former second-round draft pick of the Chargers in 2015, brought veteran experience to the linebacker corps, having accumulated over 600 career tackles prior to the signing.[50] During the 2024 regular season, Perryman appeared in 11 games, all starts, recording 55 total tackles (39 solo), 1 sack, and 2 tackles for loss while playing primarily as an inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Jesse Minter's scheme.[45][4] His contributions included bolstering run defense, where he ranked among the team's leaders in tackles before a season-ending injury sidelined him.[45] The Chargers re-signed Perryman to a one-year extension on March 12, 2025, valued at around $3.65 million, retaining the 32-year-old for an 11th NFL season amid ongoing needs at linebacker.[52] In the early 2025 season, Perryman played in 3 games, logging 4 solo tackles before suffering an injury that placed him on injured reserve.[45] By October 6, 2025, the team opened his 21-day practice window, signaling a potential return to the active roster later in the season.[53]NFL career statistics
Regular season performance
Perryman entered the NFL in 2015 with the San Diego Chargers, where he started nine of 14 games and recorded 73 combined tackles, including 64 solo stops and 2 sacks.[3] His performance dipped in subsequent years due to injuries, such as playing only seven games in 2017 with 37 tackles, but he rebounded in 2019 with 68 tackles across 14 games.[3] During his initial tenure with the Chargers through 2020, Perryman totaled 349 combined tackles, 250 solo, and 5 sacks in 69 games, demonstrating consistent run defense contributions despite inconsistent starting roles.[3] After brief stints with the Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, Perryman achieved a career-high 154 combined tackles (102 solo) in 15 starts for the Raiders, earning his first Pro Bowl selection as a hard-hitting inside linebacker effective against the run.[3] In 2022 with the Raiders, he added 83 tackles and 2 interceptions before injury limited him to 12 games.[3] Joining the Houston Texans in 2023, he posted 76 tackles in 12 starts, contributing to their improved defense with 45 solo stops.[3] Returning to the Chargers in 2024, Perryman started all 11 games with 55 tackles and 1 sack, focusing on gap control and short-yardage stops.[3] Through three games in the 2025 season, he has 5 tackles.[3] Career totals through 2025 include 722 combined tackles, 490 solo, 7.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles across 122 games.[3]| Year | Team | G | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sk | Int | PD | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | SDG | 14 | 9 | 73 | 64 | 9 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | SDG | 12 | 11 | 72 | 56 | 16 | 2.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | LAC | 7 | 6 | 37 | 25 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | LAC | 9 | 9 | 51 | 30 | 21 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | LAC | 14 | 10 | 68 | 50 | 18 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | LAC | 13 | 6 | 48 | 25 | 23 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | LVR | 15 | 15 | 154 | 102 | 52 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | LVR | 12 | 11 | 83 | 54 | 29 | 1.0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | HOU | 12 | 11 | 76 | 45 | 31 | 0.5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | LAC | 11 | 11 | 55 | 39 | 16 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | LAC | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 122 | 102 | 722 | 490 | 232 | 7.5 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 3 |