Under the radar Oklahoma WR Mitch Perkinson poised for breakout 2015 season
Hard to believe it but college and NFL coaches are human too. All coaches have their strong points in some area of the game but that does not mean that all coaches know how to build a football team across the board. All coaches are also prone to following the trends and the latest trend on offense for the last decade has been up-tempo and spread offenses. Even now more than ever the love and appreciation for a “possession receiver” should be en vogue but somehow it is not.
The term possession receiver can almost be a negative connotation but for no good reason. Every team, be it at the college or NFL level, wants the next Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson, a 6’4”, 200-something pound, receiver with blazing speed and great hands. Trouble is the Megatrons and Randy Moss’ of the world are few and far between which is what makes those receivers exceptional and Hall of Fame caliber guys.
What makes an offense move game in and game out are receivers who can make plays. One such receiver is Edmond North High School wide out Mitch Perkinson.
Perkinson is a 6’0”, 177 pound, receiver with exceptional hands. Because he runs a 4.5 forty-yard dash many college recruiters have overlooked his skill set. A possession receiver he is, but he is also a reliable weapon capable of playing on the outside or in the slot. Some college recruiters like Kansas, North Texas, Central Arkansas, SMU, Drake, and Wyoming have seen the talent and have extended camp invites to evaluate the chain mover in person.
Despite an injury to Edmond North’s starting quarterback after the first game, Perkinson still managed 25 receptions posting 420 yards with 2 touchdowns. The Huskies were a run-first offense in 2014 but all that is expected to change in 2015 setting Perkinson up for a breakout senior campaign.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview I sat down to learn more about Mitch covering a difficult 3-7 2014, offseason workouts, his one-day college camp schedule, and a look ahead to the 2015 season.
Mitch, how did the season go for the Huskies in 2014?
“We came out really strong the first game against one of our local rivals but after that game we had a quarterback injury, unfortunately, and he was out for the season. We struggled to pass the ball the rest of the season. We picked up some momentum and won a few more games but mostly we had to run the ball. I think we’ll be really good going into this next season.”
You said you think the team will be really good in 2015, what are some of the strengths of the team that will provide that bounce back season?
“We have a way different attitude in the weight room. We have a lot of people increasing in squat and power clean. We’ve improved a lot in that aspect. I’ve gotten people to throw. In the past that did not usually happen. I think that is helping create more team chemistry. I think all the way around we will be a better team.”
What are your strengths on the field as a wide receiver?
“I think it’s my hands and my route running mostly.”
What are your goals for the 2015 football season?
“To be city champs and state champs. My personal goals are to receive my first offer. I think I’ll receive one of those over the summer. That’s what I am focused on mostly.”
What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for you senior season?
“Mostly speed and strength right now.”
What are you doing to achieve those goals?
“This season was my first season running track. That has helped a lot. I’ve made big gains in the weight room as well that will help me on the field.”
What events did you train for or participate in for track?
“I didn’t really compete but just practiced. I did it really just for speed work. I think I’m going to compete next year. I want to run the 400 and 200.”
Will your role expand on the field next season? Will you play any defense?
“I was mostly outside last year but during spring ball they had me playing a lot of slot. I’ll be playing a little bit of slot this year as well. I’ll be mostly playing (slot) in college. I might do some punt returning too.”
Which schools are recruiting you right now?
“Schools that are showing the most interest are Kansas, North Texas, Central Arkansas, Drake, Abilene Christian, and Wyoming.”
Which one-day college camps will you attend this summer?
“I plan on going to all the schools showing interest in me except Drake. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it up there. I’m also going to go to OU (Oklahoma) and OSU (Oklahoma State) to see if I can grab their attention at one of their prospect camps.”
What camps did you go to last summer?
“I went to North Texas and University of Central Oklahoma.”
When you’ve talked to the different college coaches what have they told you they liked about your game?
“I’ve talked a lot with Coach (Gary) Hyman (tight ends coach) at KU and Coach (Robert) Cunningham (director of football operations/assistant offensive line coach) at Central Arkansas. I’ve talked a little bit with Coach (Mike) Canales (offensive coordinator) at North Texas and Coach (Darian) Dulin (defensive coordinator) at Abilene Christian.
“They haven’t really told me what they like about my game or go into that kind of detail. They’ve pretty much all said they want me at their camp and want to evaluate me in person.”
Have you been on any unofficial visits yet?
“I went to Kansas’ Junior Day, North Texas’ spring game, and SMU’s Junior Day.”
How did the Kansas trip go for you?
“It went really well. That was my first time to meet all the coaches. I felt mentally connected with all the coaches. Coach Hyman was the main person that I talked to, he’s a real nice guy. I talked a little bit to (Klint) Kubiak (wide receivers coach). They both seemed interested. That was my first Junior Day and a good way to kick that off.”
How did your visit to North Texas go?
“That went really well. I talked to Coach Canales and he said he wanted me at camp so he could evaluate me. I talked to Coach (Mike) Grant, he’s the wide receiver coach down there. I’m looking forward to the camp there this summer.”
What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?
“I would say location and obviously the coaches. The location is the major factor.”
What about location becomes a factor? How far is too far away?
“I’d like to stay in a surrounding state but it depends on the school and playing time. It would depend on different factors. I am really open to anything right now. It would just depend how badly a school wanted me.”
What do you want to major in when you go to college?
“I’ve been thinking about physical therapy. I haven’t really thought about it a lot but that is probably the direction I am headed as of right now.”
What is your favorite part of playing football?
“It’s the relationships I get to build with different people.”
Mitch has plenty of opportunities left to prove his abilities to college recruiters. The college camps should lead to offers which could build more momentum into his senior year with more Division-I and Division-II programs ready to add a playmaker to their roster. Another solid season playing against high-end Oklahoma high school defenses should be the proverbial nail in the coffin showing his worth to college recruiters nationwide.
Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: coxsports; No. 84 Mitch Perkinson pulls down a touchdown pass
Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 84 Mitch Perkinson