Packers Pick USC's Perry for Defense

Nick Perry will be joining a former USC teammate in Green Bay.  That former teammate would be on Clay Matthews.

Perry got to know Matthews as a freshman at USC and is looking forward to the reunion.


The Packers made a move to boost their pass rush in Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft, taking Perry with the No. 28 overall pick. At 6-2 and 271 pounds, Perry will play outside linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme. That could make him a complement to fellow former Trojan Matthews, something the team has lacked in recent seasons.

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said being able to get pass rush pressure from both sides is critical.

“It means a great deal,” Capers said. “I think the basis of our defense starts with being able to threaten offenses from both sides. You see us do a lot of things with our inside linebackers and a lot of their success is based on the type of threat that you have, I think, from both sides of your defense.”

Perry had 21.5 career sacks in three seasons.  Half of that total next season in Green Bay would be a big help.