Friday, October 21, 2011

Soul re-sign veteran LB Perkins

PHILADELPHIA  – The Philadelphia Soul re-signed linebacker Brandon Perkins for the 2012 season. 

Perkins played in 17 games with the Soul last season and was No. 4 on the team in tackles (51.5), No. 2 on the team in sacks (5.5), and No. 1 on the team in fumble recoveries (3).

“We are very excited about bringing Brandon back,” said Philadelphia general manager Tom Goodhines.  “He will enjoy playing in a high-tempo, hard-hitting style of defense that Coach Plank is implementing.  After adding a lot of pieces on offense, our focus will now shift to the defensive side of the ball and we will continue to add the best talent possible.”

Prior to playing with the Soul, the former Kansas Jayhawk played one season with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (2010) and registered 14.5 total tackles, two and a half sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.  Prior to playing in Oklahoma City, Perkins played two seasons with the Los Angeles Avengers (2007-08).  His best season came in 2008 with the Avengers where he recorded a career-high with 52.0 total tackles, adding five sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

As an AFL rookie in 2007, he was a mainstay for the Avengers at the "mack" linebacker spot.  Perkins finished the year with 31.0 total tackles and one interception.  Perkins also saw some action on offense as a receiver in the "jumbo" package the Avengers used periodically near the goal line.

“After his 2011 season, we had Brandon rated as one of the top linebackers in the Arena Football League,” said Soul head coach Doug Plank.  “He is very athletic and makes plays from wall to wall.  He is a perfect fit for our new defensive philosophy.  I look forward to his leadership on and off the field.”

One of the best pass rushers in school history, Perkins played in 46 games for the University of Kansas (Lawrence, Kan.).  He finished his collegiate career with a total of 20.0 quarterback sacks, tying him for No. 3 on Kansas’ all-time chart.  As a senior in 2005, Perkins set a Jayhawk single-game record with five sacks versus Louisiana Tech.

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