Top Gables High player already dreaming of the pros

Denzel Perryman (No. 2), a senior at Coral Gables Senior High School, takes a break on the sidelines with teammates during the game against Palmetto Senior High School at Tropical Park Friday afternoon, Oct. 15. The Cavaliers fell to Palmetto after running into overtime with a final score of 7-10. Photo by Brittney Bomnin

These are some of the pro linebackers who played football at Coral Gables High before Denzel Perryman:

• - Darryl Sharpton, linebacker, Houston Texans
• - Glenn Cameron, linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals.
• - Ralph Ortega, linebacker, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins.
• - Jonathan Vilma, linebacker, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints.

But many would tell you that, as high school athletes, none of these professional players compare to Perryman today.

“At this point in his career, he is faster than Sharpton was, and stronger,” said Joe Montoya, head coach of the Gables’ Cavaliers. “As for Vilma — Denzel is much more athletic.”

Perryman, a senior at Gables High and the school’s top linebacker, speaks with a deep, soft voice and wears the confident smile of someone whose childhood dream is within reach.

Last year, Perryman was named The Miami Herald’s Class 6A Defensive Player of the Year. This year, he is the No. 2 prospect overall in Miami-Dade County, and has narrowed his college choices to five dominant football programs that would like Perryman to play for them.  He could head to the bayous and be a Tiger at Louisiana State University; he could play for the reigning national champions, the Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama; or move to the swamps of Gainesville as a University of Florida Gator; become part of the rich Seminole tradition at Florida State, or stay home as a University of Miami Hurricane.

It’s a wealth of opportunity that also brings its share of challenges.

“Everything is just crazy right now,” Perryman said. “I try to limit myself to speaking with two college coaches every night because any more tends to become very stressful.”

Denzel Perryman, a senior at Coral Gables Senior High School, walks across the field at Tropical Park during the game against Palmetto Senior High School. During his high school career as a linebacker for the Cavaliers, Perryman recorded 126 tackles at the end of his junior year. Many have compared him to the former Gables High standout Jonathan Vilma, who went on to play for the University of Miami in college after playing at Gables and is now in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. The Cavaliers fell to Palmetto after running into overtime with a final score of 7-10 Friday afternoon, Oct. 15. Photo by Brittney Bomnin

His parents have helped him, just with their emotional support.

They are encouraging him to decide on his own. They vow to support whatever decision he makes and are behind him 100 percent. But, then, his family has been his anchor throughout life.

“They have always been there to support me. They tell me to stay focused in the classroom, and that school comes first,” he said.

Coach Montoya can back that up. Perryman’s parents have pulled their son out of practice more than once to make sure he took care of classroom duties. They insist he keeps his grades up, the coach said. He agrees with them.

“School first, football second,” Montoya said.  “We try to put our athletes in the best possible situations that will allow them to succeed.”

Montoya has known Perryman for three years, since he entered Gables High, and he says he sees all the potential in the world for his young star linebacker.

Perryman, who stands at 5’11 and weighs 220 pounds, runs 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash and lifts more than 300 pounds in the weight room.  This season, he is attempting to break the all-time solo tackles mark set by his friend and former Cavalier, Jonathan Vilma.

Although breaking the record would be a personal achievement, neither Perryman nor Coach Montoya seems to be very concerned about it.

“Absolutely not,” Montoya said. “He does not consider that.”

Perryman added that it has become fun to try to break the record, only because he is chasing his good friend Vilma.

Perryman aspires to be a great college football player and eventually play for the pros on Sundays.  He recalls sitting with his father on the couch on Sunday afternoons as a little boy, when his dad would say. “If you work hard, this could be you someday.”

But right now, he is focused on finishing out a successful high school career. Most young athletes would love to slip into Perryman’s shoes for a day, but what most don’t see is the balancing act that he has to perform day in and day out just to keep up with his family, school work, football and recruiters.

Perryman never seems to take a break from football.  If he is not playing, he is watching; if he has a day off, he will head a mile down the road from Coral Gables High School to the campus of the University of Miami where he catches a glimpse of practice.  He has been a Hurricane fan ever since he can remember, he said, and loves to attend as many UM games as possible.

Perryman said he is looking forward to the transition from high school to college, and recognizes the changes he will have to make as a player, particularly to speed up his game.  One thing is for sure, he said: When he gets his first shot at playing in front of a prime-time national television audience, he will soak up every minute of it.

“It will be an amazing feeling,” Perryman said.

Denzel Perryman, a senior at Coral Gables Senior High School, is the top linebacker for the Cavaliers. As a junior, Perryman recorded 126 tackles and has been watched since his freshman season. Many have compared him to the former Gables High standout Jonathan Vilma, who went on to play for the University of Miami in college after playing at Gables and is now in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Photo by Brittney Bomnin