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Nick Perry
Position: Free safety
Pro Day Height/Weight: 6-1, 201 pounds
40-yard dash time: 4.62 seconds (pro day)
Vertical Jump: 32 ½ inches
Broad Jump: 9'8"
2014 season: 80 tackles (51 solo stops), two interceptions, six pass breakups, one quarterback hurry
Strengths
Play calling is one of Nick Perry's strengths at free safety. He took over for Vinnie Sunseri and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and did a solid job navigating traffic in Alabama's secondary last season. Perry is a sound tackler, especially in run support. He takes good angles toward the ball, and wraps up well in space. Perry is a hard hitter, but does a good job of using his vision to funnel the ball in the middle of the field. In Alabama's meetings with Mississippi State and Auburn, Perry recorded crucial takeaways by reading the quarterbacks eyes and denying the middle of the field.
Weaknesses
It took Perry a while to become consistent, despite a breakout season in 2014. He went through the motions for much of last season until Alabama's meeting against LSU (eight tackles, a pass breakup). Perry has decent speed (4.62), but it's not world class. He tends to get boxed-out at times by physical receivers. Perry needs to improve his tackling form against bigger running backs. He also has a tendency to lean with his shoulder, instead of breaking down and wrapping up.
Projection
Nick Perry could land as a sixth-round draft pick based on his performance last season. His 80 tackles were good for fourth on the team in 2014. He is an exceptional role player in nickel and dime situations. His 4.62 speed gives him a chance to be a roamer in the secondary, and use his vision to disrupt plays. He's an intelligent athlete (master's degree at Alabama) who could have a solid pro career, if he's placed in the right system.
Ed. Note: There aren't available Nick Perry highlights from his playing time at Alabama; however, his Pro Day performance went very well. Below is the interview.