Suntarine Perkins was one of the most coveted recruits in the state the last few years, and his commitment to Ole Miss in 2023 brought about a key piece in the Rebels’ defense for the last three years.
Now going into his senior season, Perkins has been awarded the 2026 Chucky Mullins Courage Award.
The Raleigh, Miss. native has compiled 179 tackles and 18.5 sacks in his first three seasons in Oxford as one of the clear leaders on defense. He was named to the preseason All-SEC second team this year
and for the second year in a row named to the Bronco Nagurski Award watch list.
The Chucky Mullins Courage Award is sponsored by the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity honoring the life and legacy of the late Chucky Mullins. A promising young defensive player Mullins’ playing career was tragically cut short during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt when making a tackle that caused permanent paralysis. A bust honoring Mullins is permanently on display at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium where Ole Miss enters the field of play for every home game.
For an Ole Miss defensive player, this is the highest honor you can receive at Ole Miss, and Perkins without a doubt has shown leadership, determination and perseverance in his time in red and blue.
Previous winners of the award include Chris Mitchell, Jeff Carter, Trea Southerland, Johnny Dixon, Alundis Brice, Michael Lowery, Derek Jones, Nate Wayne, Gary Thigpen, Heard, Anthony Magee, Kevin Thomas, Lanier Goethie, Jamil Northcutt, Eric Oliver, Kelvin Robinson, Patrick Willis, Jeremy Garrett, Jamarca Sanford, Marcus Tillman, Kentrell Lockett, Deterrian Shackelford (twice), Jason Jones, Mike Marry, Mike Hilton, John Youngblood, Marquis Haynes, C.J. Moore, Austrian Robinson, Jaylon Jones, Keidron Smith, KD Hill, Cedric Johnson, JJ Pegues, and Tyler Banks.
