Bryce Perkins 2020 NFL Draft Profile
Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins ended a 15-year losing streak to arch-rival Virginia Tech, earning him accolades from the Wahoo faithful. When he arrived in Charlottesville, the Yuma native was seen as a welcome addition. Perkins played quarterback at Chandler High School for head coach Shaun Aguano. He led them to a state title in 2014, their first since 1949. Perkins set an Arizona state high school record for single-season completion percentage at 74.6 percent (188-of-252) and passed for 3,001 yards, 46 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2014. He also rushed for 697 yards with five touchdowns. He has NFL bloodlines with his uncle, Don Perkins, playing eight seasons as a running back with the Dallas Cowboys and his brother, Paul Perkins as a member of the New York Giants.
College
Before starring as a Cavalier, Perkins played quarterback at Arizona Western Community College for head coach Tom Minnick in 2017. Originally, Perkins was supposed to play at Arizona State, but did not appear in any games for the Sun Devils. In 2018, he enrolled at Virginia. That fall, he was one of two players in the nation with 2,600+ passing yards (2,680) and 900+ rushing yards (923), joining Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray (Oklahoma). Perkins passed for 208 yards and had three touchdowns in a win over South Carolina in the Belk Bowl.
In 2019 as a senior, Perkins’ stats were off the charts. He set the UVA single-season passing record with 3,538 yards in 2019. Over just two seasons, he set the UVA career record for total offense with 7,910 yards. Perkins also broke his own single-season record for total offense with 4,307 yards. The senior started all 14 of UVA’s games, and joined Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts as one of two players in the nation with 3,000+ passing yards and 700+ rushing yards. He was also named Davey O’Brien Award National QB of the Week for his efforts against UNC.
But to the Wahoo faithful, his biggest accomplishment came against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Perkins ended a 15 year losing streak to the Hokies thanks to a dominant performance of 311 yards passing and 164 yards rushing. With that win, Virginia clinched the division and a berth in the ACC Championship game against eventual national runner-up Clemson. Perkins concluded his career against Florida in the Orange Bowl. His final numbers over his career? 6,218 passing yards with 47 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Perkins also ran for 1,692 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Strengths
- Very Mobile;
- Above-average arm strength;
- Elusive in the pocket;
- Big Play ability;
- Good Leader ;
- High Production.
Weaknesses
- Not a drop back passer
- Looks for run more than pass;
- If first read is not there, he just goes;
- Played in a running system;
- Not much experience against high competition;
- Can be slow on read at times.
Bottom Line on Bryce Perkins
Like rival school sensation Michael Vick, Bryce Perkins is known for his big play ability. His mobility in the pocket and knack for throwing on the run can adapt to the modern style of offense in the NFL. His leadership is his greatest asset and it was never more apparent than in the Commonwealth Cup. Perkins can make any NFL throw and a coach will mostly use his abilities outside of just being a quarterback.
Perkins however, will need to shy away from his run-first mentality to develop into a perennial starting quarterback. He will also need to work on some throwing mechanics. Coaches will be tasked with asking him to develop his ability to see down the field. By only looking for a first read, a quarterback will make multiple mistakes. Given Perkins’s aptitude for learning, he is worth a flier and could end up into a gadget quarterback and possible starter in a few years.
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