Antonio Perkins

Antonio D. Perkins (born January 9, 1982) is a former American college and professional football player who was a kick returner and cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons during the early 2000s. He played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and earned consensus All-American honors. Perkins played professionally for the NFL's Cleveland Browns.

Early years

Perkins was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. He attended Lawton High School, graduating in 2000. He was a letterman in football.

College career

Perkins attended the University of Oklahoma, and played for coach Bob Stoops's Oklahoma Sooners football team from 2000 to 2004. In 47 games with the Sooners, he started 30 times and finished with 125 tackles, one sack, five stops for losses, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 21 pass deflections. He set the NCAA record for most punt returns for touchdowns in a single game, with three, as well as most punt return yards in a game with 277, against UCLA in 2003. He is tied with Wes Welker and Ted Ginn, Jr. for most punt return touchdowns in a career, in NCAA history, with eight. As a junior in 2003, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.^[1]

Professional career

Perkins was drafted in the fourth round, 103rd overall, by the Cleveland Browns in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played in one game in 2005 and activated for five games in 2006. The Browns waived Perkins on October 28, 2006 but subsequently re-signed him and assigned him to their practice squad. In June 2007, Perkins was waived by Cleveland and claimed by the Indianapolis Colts then released as a final training camp cut on September 1.^[2]

On March 28, 2008, the Toronto Argonauts signed Perkins as a free agent.^[2] He was subsequently released on June 14.

References