LB Brandon Perkins

Another player looking to increase his production after an already impressive 2011 campaign is LB Brandon Perkins. Perkins started in all but 1 game last season (the 70-49 demolishing of the New Orleans VooDoo) and should display that same consistency in 2012.

Perkins ranked 4th on the Soul with 51.5 total tackles (42 solo and 19 assisted), the highest of any Soul linebacker. He ranked second and tied for second on the team in tackles-for-loss (8.5) and sacks (5.5) respectively. Perkins notched 1 interception along with 3 pass break-ups and 1 QB hurry.

Perkins led the Soul with 3 fumble recoveries along with forcing 2 fumbles which tied two other players for second best on the team. He forced fumbles in back-to-back loses to the Spokane Shock and the Tulsa Talons in Week's 14 and 15. Two of his 3 fumble recoveries came against the Milwaukee Mustangs in Week 4 and Week 13 contests.

His best game of the 2011 season came in Week 18 against division rival Cleveland Gladiators when he recorded 5.0 unassisted tackles which included his 3-sack performance. The Soul had their largest victory of the season that game defeating the Gladiators 49-21 at the Wells-Fargo Center. That 28 point margin-of-victory was helped by the defense's 7-sack performance, the team's highest output by far in 2011. The Soul's second highest sack total for a game came in Week 1 and Week 12 victories over the Pittsburgh Power and the VooDoo respectively as the defense produced 3 sacks in both contests.

Perkins played 1 season for the now defunct Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz in 2010 where he registered 14.5 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Though not Perkins most productive season in the AFL by any means, he showed more then enough in the past for the Soul to snatch him up before the 2011 season began.

Playing for the Los Angles Avengers (now defunct) of the AFL in 2007-2008, Perkins showed his value on the defensive side of the ball. In 2008, his best season with the Avengers, Perkins tallied 52.0 total tackles (a career high), 5 sacks, 3 pass break-ups and 2 forced fumbles. His rookie campaign in 2007 had him becoming a mainstay for the Avengers in the "mack" linebacker spot recording 31.0 total tackles and 1 interception.

The Mack linebacker is basically the heavier form of a Mike linebacker in the outdoor game. The Mack linebackers use their heavier load to rush the quarterback, but can only rush through the two A-gaps in the offensive line. That's on either side of the center staying inside of the two adjacent offensive lineman on the opposing team. The Mack linebacker must be a force on the defensive side of the ball because he generates a good amount of penetration and havoc on defense. Perkins fits that bill to a "T" as his build and ability allows him so much success when rushing the quarterback.

Perkins played his college ball at the University of Kansas (2002-05) where he recorded 20 sacks placing him tied for second on the school's all-time career sack list.  Starting as a true freshman, Perkins would go on to play in 46 games for the Jayhawks, but injuries derailed his chances of playing outdoors in the NFL.

With Perkins the Soul have a dependable and productive veteran linebacker for their stacked 2012 defense. A sure lock to make this year's squad, look for Perkins as he's steamrolling past the opposition on route to the quarterback.