Reinaldo Perez Reinaldo Perez 6'5" | 245 lbs | DL/OL Columbus Academy | 2027 State OH is arguably the top defensive prospect in the Buckeye State and for good reason: he is a 6-foot-6, 245-pound behemoth with a tremendous motor and super-high upside. Perez has blossomed as a starter for Columbus Academy. For his size, he is a very explosive defender with a great first step and takes great pursuit angles to the QB. He is already an elite pass rusher and his future will only get brighter. Keep an eye on him to get even better next fall.

The coaching staff at Columbus Academy has been very high on Reinaldo Perez Reinaldo Perez 6'5" | 245 lbs | DL/OL Columbus Academy | 2027 State OH ever since his freshman season. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound rangy defensive lineman has the goods. Uber-talented and with sky-high potential, he is an elite pass rusher with a good first step who can quickly reach the quarterback. Perez has through-the-roof upside and is going to make a strong case for being the top defensive lineman in Ohio.

Reinaldo has been a riser in the national scene and has picked up a lot of impressive offers. He can play both sides of the ball, but will probably be best on the defensive side of the ball at the next level. He’s explosive off the edge and can win both inside and outside to get to the quarterback. Louisville, Ohio, Toledo, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Indiana have been his latest offers.

I first saw Reinaldo at the Miami Mega Camp last summer. Right off the bat he passed the eye test. Perez possesses a good frame with plenty of room to continue to add good weight. I liked what I had to see at camp that day. Reinaldo put together strong sophomore season film. He showed a good blend of power and athleticism. I like him as a strong side defensive end or as a rush tackle. His size and strength make him a force in the run game and his athleticism makes him an effective pass rusher.

In January 2025 Perez picked up offers from Buffalo and Bowling Green to his handful of G5 offers. On February 1st he picked up his first P4 offer from Purdue. With a good camp season, I would expect his list of P4 offers to grow.

Perez has huge recruiting upside. He is a tall, long, and explosive pass rusher with all the height and size to grow, get stronger and develop into a high-upside recruit.

Perez lines up at defensive end for the Vikings. He has a big frame and wears his weight well. He has a good burst off the ball. He can rush from the standup or with his hand in the dirt. He has the lateral quickness to juke blockers and beat them with his quickness. He has the size and strength to stand his man up and win with power. He has violent hands that he uses to shed blockers. He has the juice to pursue from the backside. Reinaldo had a great season as he tallied 11 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. He has an offer from UMASS. I expect that list to grow quickly this offseason as his film gets around and college coaches get a chance to see him in person.

At 6’5 225 Perez definitely looks the part of a D1. He plays both sides of the ball for Columbus Academy. On the defensive side of the ball, I like him on the interior as a space eating 2 gap defensive tackle with plus athleticism. Reinaldo has the strength and quickness to win at the point of attack. He has the speed to pursue plays from the backside. I also really like him on the offensive side of the ball and I could easily see him ending up at the offensive tackle position at the next level. He has the length, bend, and athleticism to play the position at a high level. Reinaldo already has a D1 offer from UMASS. As he continues to grow and develop that will provide the answers as to what position will best fit him at the next level.