Former Oklahoma Sooners star finally makes his impact on the football field following turbulent early NFL journey and several missteps

It has been a turbulent professional journey so far for former Oklahoma Sooners star defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. After beginning his career at Fort Scott Community College, Winfrey spent his final two college seasons with the Sooners. During that two-year stretch in Norman, he managed to collect 43 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. 

During his final season in 2021 in college football, Winfrey put together his finest season to date. He earned an opportunity to play in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl, eventually being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft despite some chatter about off the field concerns. 

Unfortunately for Winfrey, those off the field concerns were realized. He was released by the Browns on July 19, 2023 after being investigated for threatening and pulling a gun on a woman in Cleveland. Winfrey then spent some time with the New York Jets during the 2023 season, but was left homeless last offseason.

During his two years in the NFL, Winfrey managed to record just 25 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and a half sack. 

The talented 6-3, 290-pound interior pass rusher did not play during the 2024 NFL season, but he did eventually latch on with the UFL Birmingham Stallions. During the 2025 season so far, Winfrey has managed to collect 29 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and four pass breakups. He has been an impact defender for the dominant Stallions squad, and he has been rewarded for it.