The 2012 NFL Draft is still more than two months away, so there is plenty of time for speculation. USC Trojans defensive end Nick Perry, who decided to leave school after his junior season to turn pro, has been in the middle to late first round in most mock drafts, though some are skeptical whether or not Perry will go in the first round. In the highest pick to date, the National Football Post projects Perry to be picked No. 12 by the Seattle Seahawks.
That would be the Seahawks, with head coach Pete Carroll, the man who recruited Perry to USC in 2008. One redshirt year and 21.5 sacks later, including a team-leading 9.5 sacks in 2011, Perry and Carroll could be together again.
"Finding a guy who can create pressure off the edge opposite Chris Clemons is a must," wrote Wes Buntin. "Perry has an explosive first step, is learning to use his hands and could end up being one of the better sack artists to come out of this year’s class."
The usual suspects linked to Perry in most other mock drafts are the San Diego Chargers at No. 18, the Tennessee Titans at No. 20, or the Green Bay Packers at No. 28. Perry could be used in the NFL as either a defensive end or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
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