NFL Draft Profile: Perrion Winfrey, Defensive Lineman, Oklahoma Sooners

NFL draft profile scouting report for Oklahoma defensive lineman, Perrion Winfrey

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#8
Pos: DL
Ht: 6036
Wt: 290
Hand: 1028
Arm: 3528
Wing: 8558
40: 4.89
DOB: 8/15/00
Eligible: 2022
Maywood, IL
Lake Park High School

Perrion Winfrey
Oklahoma Sooners

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One-Liners

The JUCO product is a relentless pass rusher from the interior of the defense who can carve out a role because of his effort and athleticism. 

Pros:

Oklahoma’s recent stretch of dominant seasons on the gridiron continued in 2021. One reason for the team’s success was star defensive tackle, Perrion Winfrey. The JUCO transfer is a strong linear athlete with both burst and speed. He has a quick first step out of his stance to penetrate when working in a straight, downhill line. Winfrey’s explosiveness allows him to work to half-man and win with leg drive. He has potential as a gap-shooter in the NFL. What’s more, the Sooners’ standout has solid power when he initiates to displace blockers. If he gets leverage, he flashes power through full-man with a bull rush or speed to power move. When he wins the pad-level battle, Winfrey has shown he can push the pocket. He employs relentless leg drive through engagement and is especially effective in half-man. The Illinois native has reasonable upper body strength to bench press, establish distance and close. Further, Winfrey plays with active hands and constantly works to keep his frame clear. He has an effective swim move which he sometimes precedes with a bench press. He occasionally uses a push-pull move. Winfrey rips to work through half-man with leg drive. His persistent hand work helps him shed blocks late. In run defense, Winfrey exhibits dominance at times because of his penetration ability, flashes of power and high motor. He is able to stack linemen and track the ball carrier. The Oklahoma star is a reliable tackler both in space and through engagement. 

Cons:

Despite his dominant flashes and clear promise, Oklahoma’s star defensive tackle is a limited prospect. Winfrey often gives up his chest by playing with a high pad level and late hands. He hurts his balance by ducking his head to win leverage. A stiff athlete, the Illinois native lacks the bend to get under his opponents’ punches. What’s more, he exhibits below-average lateral movement and struggles with changes of direction. He is too inflexible to flatten to the quarterback. Winfrey may be limited to 0-3 technique spots in the league because of his purely-linear athletic profile. Moreover, the talented defender’s already-inconsistent power is particularly underwhelming when he plays with high pad level. Linemen routinely blow him up, drive him back and seal him once they get a grip on his chest. Winfrey’s proactive power is enough to displace his opponents, but it is not sufficient to significantly drive them. The Sooners’ defender’s anchor is inconsistent. He is washed too easily after penetrating. Further, he is dominated by double teams. In run defense, Winfrey’s penetrating style leaves rushing lanes open. His lane integrity, both because he is forced out of gaps and because he abandons them, is concerning. The explosive defender is penalized too often when he tries to time the snap. 

Summary:

A team known for its offensive output, Oklahoma has a defensive line rife with NFL talent. Perrion Winfrey is at or near the top of that group. An explosive linear athlete with a quick first step and persistent hands, the Illinois native flashes functional strength when he gets leverage. That said, the defender must improve his pad level and hand timing. His power profile and stiff frame are concerning. He projects as an immediate rosterable backup with starting potential. 

Background:

Born August 15th, 2000 in Maywood, Illinois, Perrion (PAIR-ee-ahn) Winfrey was a standout athlete at Lake Park High School. Though he was unranked by 247Sports Composite Rankings, he earned a three-star rating from 247Sports, itself. The same outlet named him the 128th-best defensive tackle in his class and the 49th-overall recruit from Illinois that year. Despite fielding offers from notable Division 1 programs, Winfrey was forced to start his career at Iowa Western Community College after failing to qualify academically for D1 competition. A standout for the Reivers, the Illinois native put up 55 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, two pass breakups and three blocked kicks in just 18 games. His outstanding performance earned him a four-star rating and the label of top JUCO recruit in the nation from 247Sports Composite JUCO. Winfrey chose to play at Oklahoma over various other top programs, including Alabama. He was an immediate-impact player for the Sooners despite experiencing an offseason limited by COVID, playing in all 11 games and starting eight of the last nine. He recorded 19 tackles, six tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one half sack. Winfrey was named second-team All-Big 12 by league head coaches. He broke out in 2021 with excellent statistics from the interior defensive line. Winfrey majored in communication. 

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Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

7.6 / 8.6

Floor/Ceiling: Low-Level Rotational Backup / Starting Defensive Tackle

Scheme Fit: 4-3 DT at 1t or 3t

Grade: 2nd-3rd Round

2/5/22 - Speaking of the devil; that's what Winfrey was to the American team all week long and it continued in the game with a sack and three tackles for loss. Winfrey has ideal size and length for a 3-tech defensive tackle at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds and 35-inch arms. Furthermore, his explosive first step and quick hands makes him able to feast on solo blocks in the run game, which allows him to disrupt running backs' lanes. Expect Winfrey to appear in first rounds of mock drafts after this impressive week. What stood out apart from his play on the field was the energy he consistently brought. Whether it was hyping up teammates after they made a good play, making sure they keep their head up after a bad play, or being a certified hype man on the sideline, Winfrey brings energy every NFL team should want.

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