Perez makes a tackle against Navy in 2010 |
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| Maryland Terrapins — No. 2 | |
| Free safety | Junior |
| Major: American studies | |
| Date of birth: April 10, 1988 | |
| Place of birth: Westville Grove, New Jersey | |
| Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Weight: 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) |
| Career history | |
|---|---|
| High school: Woodrow Wilson High School, Camden, New Jersey | |
| College(s): |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
Antwine Perez (born April 10, 1988) was an American college football player. He played as a free safety for the University of Maryland Terrapins. He played one season for the University of Southern California Trojans, before transferring. He was one of the most sought-after college recruits in the nation and received scholarship offers from over 40 schools.
He was born on April 10, 1988[1] in Westville Grove, New Jersey to parents Phyllis and Lewis Perez. He attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, New Jersey, where he played high school football as a quarterback and defensive back. As a junior, he recorded 1,763 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, ten rushing touchdowns, 58 tackles, seven interceptions, and four forced fumbles. As a senior in 2005, he recorded 82 tackles, 10 deflections, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.[2]
He was named a Parade All-American, USA Today first-team All-American, EA Sports first-team All-American,[3] SuperPrep All-American, PrepStar All-American, all-conference quarterback, all-conference defensive back, and first-team all-state player. Perez was honored as The Philadelphia Inquirer South Jersey Defensive Most Valuable Player, SuperPrep All-Northeast Defensive MVP, PrepStar All-Eastern, and Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year. He was named to the SuperPrep Elite 50, PrepStar Dream Team, and the ESPN 150.[2]
Perez was one of the most highly recruited players in the nation, and received in excess of forty scholarship offers.[4] Scout.com rated him as a five-star prospect and fifth-ranked defensive back, while Rivals.com rated him as a four-star prospect and the second-ranked defensive back.[5][6] At least 47 programs offered Perez, including USC, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, and Tennessee.[7]
Perez graduated from high school a semester early and enrolled at the University of Southern California. As a true freshman in 2006, he saw action in seven games, primarily in a special teams role. Perez made brief appearances as a reserve free safety against Arkansas, Stanford, and Oregon.[2] Perez decided to transfer to the University of Maryland with the hope of earning more playing time and to be closer to home.[8] He was required by NCAA transfer rules to sit out for one season.[2]
In 2008, he saw action in all 13 games including two starts as a free safety. He also served in a special teams role[2] and at linebacker due to the injury of Adrian Moten, the back-up for Moise Fokou.[9] He made his first career start in the upset win against California, where he replaced injured starter Terrell Skinner and recorded three tackles.[2]
CBS Sports considers him the eighth-ranked free safety prospect for the 2011 NFL Draft,[10] while College Football News projected him as a possible fourth round selection if he had chosen to enter the 2010 NFL Draft.[11]
During the 2010 season against Duke, Perez intercepted one pass and delivered a hard hit to break up another critical pass late in the game, which preserved a Maryland victory, 21–16.[12] At Boston College, Perez had two interceptions and forced a fumble to help Maryland to a 24–21 win. For his performance, he was named the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Week.[13]