Peria Jerry Scouting Report

Jerry battled injuries (foot problem) throughout his freshman and sophomore campaigns, but he has remained healthy over his last one and a half seasons at Ole Miss, and that paid off in a major way both personally and for the Rebels. The defensive tackle was named Second-Team All-SEC by several media outlets as a junior in 2007, finishing sixth in the conference with 14 tackles for loss and second on the team in sacks and quarterback hurries. In 2008 he returned a fumble for a touchdown against Vanderbilt and he was credited with the crucial tackle when Mississippi stopped Tim Tebow on a critical fourth-and-one play that preserved an upset win over Florida. He finished with 49 tackles and seven sacks. Jerry made starts at defensive end, tackle, and nose guard during his collegiate career and NFL scouts will love such versatility. Durability, however, has to be at least a minor concern with him. He also has to get either bigger or faster (he is right around 4.9 in the 40-yard-dash on a great day) if he is interested in making a Pro Bowl-type impact at the next level. It would also help to establish himself as either a dominant pass-rusher or run-stuffer, whereas right now he is merely solid against both offensive sets. He is a solid leader both on and off the field, so that will only help his draft stock. Jerry looked like a second-rounder heading into his senior campaign at Mississippi, but now it would be surprising to see him slip out of the first round.