REBEL HEART: Suntarine Perkins Shuns $15M NFL Draft Payday to Stay at Ole Miss! ‘Hotty Toddy’s My Legacy!’ Exclusive Scoop!
REBEL HEART: Suntarine Perkins Shuns $15M NFL Draft Payday to Stay at Ole Miss! ‘Hotty Toddy’s My Legacy!’ — Exclusive Scoop!
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Oxford, Mississippi – June 13, 2025
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through college football and cementing his status as a Rebel legend, Suntarine Perkins — Ole Miss’s electrifying linebacker and projected top-10 NFL Draft pick — has turned down a $15 million NFL payday to return for one more season in Oxford.
Yes, you read that right: $15 million left on the table.
Why? Loyalty, legacy, and love for the game — Rebel style.
“Hotty Toddy’s my legacy,” Perkins said in an emotional interview Thursday evening. “This isn’t just about football. This is about family, brotherhood, and finishing something we started. I’m not done — and neither is this team.”
A Stunning Decision in a Money-Driven Era
With scouts raving about his sideline-to-sideline speed, violent tackling, and instinctive playmaking, Perkins had a first-round grade from nearly every major NFL outlet. Some even projected him as high as No. 4 overall — a selection that would have guaranteed over $15 million in signing bonuses and salary.
But for Perkins, that wasn’t enough.
Sources say the junior linebacker wrestled with the decision for weeks, consulting coaches, family, and teammates. Ultimately, the pull of one more run with the Rebels — and the chance to bring Oxford its first-ever national championship — was too strong to ignore.
“The league’s going to be there,” Perkins said. “But a season like this? A team like this? It’s once in a lifetime. I want to go down as a Rebel who finished the mission.”
The Heart and Soul of the Defense
Perkins, a former five-star recruit from Raleigh, Mississippi, has been the heartbeat of Pete Golding’s defense since he first stepped on campus. Last season, he led the team with 106 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles — earning All-SEC First Team honors and becoming a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.
But beyond the stats, it’s his fire, leadership, and love for Ole Miss that have made him a fan favorite.
“You don’t just replace a guy like Suntarine,” said head coach Lane Kiffin. “He’s not only one of the best players in the country — he’s one of the best people. This decision says everything about who he is.”
Rebel Nation Reacts: “Legend Status Secured”
Social media erupted in celebration after Perkins announced his decision on X (formerly Twitter) with just three words:
“I’m not leaving. ❤️ #HottyToddy”
Fans and former players flooded his mentions with gratitude, calling him a “real one,” “the embodiment of Rebel pride,” and “already a legend.”
One viral post read:
“$15 million can buy a house — but it can’t buy legacy. Suntarine Perkins just chose forever.”
One Goal: Finish the Mission
With Perkins returning, the Rebels are now stacked on both sides of the ball — and fully locked in on a championship run. The message from the locker room is clear: it’s title or bust.
And Perkins is ready.
“I came here to build something,” he said. “And I’m going to be here when we finish it. Let’s make history.”
Final Word
In a time when loyalty is rare, Suntarine Perkins just showed the nation what it means to have a Rebel heart.
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