The San Diego Chargers took linebacker Joshua Perry out of Ohio State with the No. 102 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The former captain is a star on and off the field, and will be a welcome addition to the locker room.
Chargers get a star on and off the field with LB Joshua Perry at No. 102
The Buckeye was a fan favorite, and is sure to fit in nicely in San Diego.
The 6’4, 254-pound Ohio native made a name for himself among a talented group of players at Ohio State, but with effective tackling technique and the physical stature to match, was able to stand out during the 2014 National Championship season. That year, he led the team in tackling, with 124 total tackles, 8.5 for loss, and three sacks. He followed that season up with a senior campaign consisting of 105 total tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 3.5 more sacks.
He was a key piece in the team’s championship run, and knows that if he wants to be successful at the next level, he needs to continue to improve.
“I’ve got to really make a name for myself in the NFL and with my team,” Perry told SB Nation. “So, a lot of that’s just going to be focusing on my production, what I do as a player, making sure that I have everything solidified there, because that’s going to be my job. I’ve got to take care of that, number one.”
Joshua Perry reads the play right away and stops it for no gain. Just what you want to see from a LB here pic.twitter.com/ppC0XkRn1W
— Matt Pearce (@Matt_Pearce13) February 21, 2016
Perry might be best suited as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 system, but his work ethic would be enough to earn him a spot on the field for both rushing and passing downs. His high-end production in college might be hard to replicate, but with the right coaching, Perry should be able to pick it up just fine.
Joshua Perry with tight coverage and the PBU. #Buckeyes https://t.co/Ji3KLi3HVw
— ☜ (@Soggy_McMuffin) December 4, 2015
How Perry handles his business off the field is sure to be a positive. Always a leader on the field and in the locker room, he’s also a stellar member of his community and makes it a priority to give as much as he can to whomever might need it.
He told reporters at the NFL Combine, "I guess it goes back to doing the right thing. A lot of the things I do, they seem like a big deal but they're really simple things, and so I just think of it like if I didn't do those things I'd probably be a bad guy."
The linebacker has a few quirks, he spoke about at the NFL Combine and in an interview with SB Nation, where he talked about being particular about his barbers -- and would rather shave his own head than get a messed up cut -- and also that he prefers going by “Joshua” because that’s the name his parents gave him.
Quirks and all, Perry is one of the nicest players around -- so long as you don’t call him Josh.
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