A native of Coral Gables, Fla., who attended the University of Miami, Perryman was a second-round pick by the Chargers in 2015. Read more about him below:
Carolina connections
In his six seasons with the Chargers, Perryman crossed paths with a couple of former Panthers, linebacker Thomas Davis and safety Tre Boston.
Although he only played with Davis on the West Coast for one season, Perryman seemed to leave quite the impression on recently retired Panthers legend and his family.
Miami connection
Since 2000, former Hurricanes linebackers have amassed 970 total tackles for the Panthers. As a former member of the U and native of Coral Gables, Fla., Perryman will look to add to that number as he steps into shoes once held by Dan Morgan and Jon Beason.
Beason even wore No. 52, the same one Perryman wore in six years with the Chargers. Beason spoke to The Athletic about what he sees in Perryman:
"I'm a little bit taller," said Beason, who is just a shade under 6-1. "But he's way more explosive than I ever was. When he hits you, he comes out of his shoes, through his hips. I mean, he knocks people back. He's old school. He actually — this game, the way it's officiated now, he can't really play in it. He's a hitter."
Finding the formula for 16 games (or 17, now)
Perryman has yet to play a full 16-game season since entering the league in 2015. He played in 27 games the past two seasons, but battled ankle and knee injuries in 2017 and 2018.
He's averaged around 5.0 tackles per game in his career, posting 48 in 2020 and 68 in 2019.
All the personality
Perryman certainly seems to have plenty of personality. A vocal leader for the Chargers' defense, Perryman should provide a presence in the locker room from Day 1. Just watch his mic'd segment from last season for proof.
View photos of Denzel Perryman during his time with the Chargers from 2015-20.
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward (26) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) celebrate during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) reacts prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52)) defends during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, December 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52)) defends during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, December 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) and middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) celebrate during to an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) wears a social justice sticker on his helmet during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, November 8, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) in action against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov.. 1, 2020, in Denver. The Denver Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady is hit by Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Curtis Samuel (10) get tackled by Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) defends during an NFL football game between the between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman warms up before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman stands for the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman reacts during a preseason NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman, left, defensive end Joey Bosa, center, and defensive back Desmond King run a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) celebrates stealing the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against Tennessee Titans at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) prepares for action during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 in Carson, Calif. (Jacob Gonzalez via AP)
Oakland Raiders running back Jalen Richard is hauled down by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams and linebacker Denzel Perryman during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon hugs linebacker Denzel Perryman prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is hauled down by Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Denzel Perryman during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) catches as pass as Los Angeles Chargers' Adrian Phillips, rear, and Denzel Perryman (52) front, make the stop in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns (88) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars won in overtime, 20-17. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) fumbles the ball as he is hit by San Diego Chargers' Denzel Perryman (52) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) picks off Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Indianapolis Colts' Quan Bray (11) is tackled by San Diego Chargers' Denzel Perryman (52) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
