Linebacker Perkins transferring from OSU

5/31/2013

COLUMBUS — Brutus now can sleep easy.

Ohio State linebacker David Perkins, a sophomore best known for his rattling takedown of the Buckeyes’ mascot during a spring practice, is transferring. Coach Urban Meyer confirmed Perkins’ plans Thursday at a community service event.

“He’s going to move on,” Meyer said. “I don’t know where. But that’s mutual, and I wish him well.

“I think anytime you lose someone, it’s disappointing. But that’s business. If he sees himself behind another player that’s going to be here for a couple years and someone’s guiding him ... it’s not like it was a nasty breakup."

A four-star prospect from South Bend, Ind., Perkins originally committed to Notre Dame before reopening his recruitment and signing with OSU. He played mostly on special teams in nine games as a freshman but appeared in the fray for a larger role this fall. Perkins was part of the linebacker rotation during the spring as standout junior Ryan Shazier recovered from a sports hernia.

Perkins made headlines in April when he leveled the ball-carrying Brutus with a form tackle during a practice open to students.

Perkins was one of five linebackers in the Buckeyes’ 2012 recruiting class, along with Joshua Perry, Jamal Marcus, Luke Roberts, and Camren Williams — the son of former Toledo star Brent Williams.

OSU’s likely starting unit will feature Shazier, Perry and junior Curtis Grant, though more competition is on the way. Three incoming linebackers include four-star former Auburn commit Trey Johnson and Mike Mitchell, rated by Rivals.com as the top recruit in Texas.