4/19/2017 football Edit

Ronnie Perkins considering an Arkansas visit

Josh Helmholdt • Rivals.com

National Recruiting Analyst

One of the top prospects in a deep pool of defensive linemen in the state of Missouri’s 2018 class is St. Louis Lutheran North’s Ronnie Perkins. Now up to 34 scholarship offers, Perkins talked this week about where his recruitment stands and what’s next as the Spring Evaluation Period kicks off.

THE LATEST

After a busy winter, the last few weeks have been quiet for Perkins while he prepares for the Spring Evaluation Period to kick off. The last college visit he took was to Minnesota on March 23 with several of his teammates from Lutheran North. Nebraska was supposed to host Perkins this past weekend for their spring game, but the St. Louis native said an emergency came up and he could not make the trip. No other spring trips are currently scheduled, but he is considering one more visit one April 29.

IN HIS WORDS

“That last weekend (in April) I was talking to Arkansas about possibly coming up for the spring game. It’s not 100 percent sure yet. My team has a big 7-on-7 tournament down there this summer, so I’ll be out there (then). The coaches, I have a nice relationship with them but we are still talking. I really want to get on campus and talk to them.

“Before I had a strong interest in Minnesota with Coach (P.J.) Fleck, and when I left I still had that strong interest in them. (Fleck) was funny and he makes playing college football fun. The whole practice atmosphere, how they run it and how quick they move is great. I like how they do things. I attended a team meeting and did a brief position meeting. They see me playing one of their defensive ends spots.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Evaluating 34 schools in-person is nearly impossible, although Perkins has done a good job getting around to schools this off-season. He plans to take full advantage of the Spring Evaluation Period to learn more about the coaches recruiting him, and wants to shake hands and meet as many in-person when they come to his school. Perkins said he is starting to develop a mental list of top schools, but does not plan to release that until summer.