Bruce Perry
| No. 35 | |
| Date of birth | March 22, 1981 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Running back |
| College | Maryland |
| NFL draft | 2004 / Round: 7 / Pick: 242 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2004–2006 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2007 | Montreal Alouettes |
| Career stats | |
| |
Bruce Perry (born March 22, 1981 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former American football running back in the National Football League who was released by the Philadelphia Eagles (on January 2, 2007) to make room for veteran quarterback Koy Detmer's return to the team. He has since signed as a free agent with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
Early life
Perry is a Philadelphia native and attended George Washington High School.
College career
Perry played college football at the University of Maryland and started all 11 games as a sophomore. That year, he rushed 219 times for 1,242 yards and ten touchdowns in addition to catching 40 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns, leading Maryland to an ACC Championship and an appearance in the 2002 Orange Bowl. He won ACC Offensive Player of the Year as the second non-senior to do so and was a second team All-American. Perry was also a first team All ACC selection and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award. Perry ranked 19th in the NCAA in rushing yards per game and ninth in all purpose yards per game. Against Wake Forest, Perry rushed for 276 yards.
In his junior year, Perry was out with an injury until an October game against Duke. He immediately injured himself in the Duke game, and did not start again for the rest of the season. Perry appeared in five more games in 2002, averaging 4.7 yards per carry on the season.
As a senior, Perry started four games and played in nine. He finished with 646 rushing yards despite being hampered by injuries all season. Against Wake Forest, Perry had 25 carries for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He finished his college career ranked fourth among Maryland's career rushing leaders.
Professional career
Philadelphia Eagles
Perry was drafted by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve. After the 2005 pre-season, he was placed on the practice squad. Later in the season he was activated and saw his first start in the final game of the regular season.
Perry appeared in the 2006 pre-season and sustained a serious concussion in the game. Even though Perry made the team, he was converted to cornerback and then was cut in September when the Eagles signed veteran Dexter Wynn for depth at cornerback. The team re-signed Perry to the practice squad. He was released on January 2, 2007.