Latest news with #Perkins'
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU football: Predicting Harold Perkins' stats for the 2025 season
LSU football defender Harold Perkins is back for year four. The five-star recruit was a star as a true freshman in 2022, racking up 41 pressures and 10 sacks. Most of Perkins' snaps in 2022 came as an edge rusher. In 2023, LSU moved Perkins to a traditional inside linebacker role. The results were mixed. Perkins couldn't make the same impact rushing the passer and was inconsistent vs. the run. Perkins improved as the year progressed, especially in pass coverage. In 2024, LSU kept Perkins in an off-ball linebacker role but with added versatility. Still, Perkins wasn't making the same impact he did as a freshman and in week four vs. UCLA, he tore his ACL and was out for the year. Perkins elected to return to LSU for another year in Blake Baker's defense. LSU will slot Perkins at the STAR position -- the hybrid defender that's become critical to defending modern offenses. The thinking is that the STAR position allows Perkins to play in space and lets Baker deploy Perkins all over the field. Brian Kelly said Perkins now has a "complete knowledge" of the game. "He's not just a guy out there running around making plays. He's so much more intentional. He knows the game. He knows the nuances of it," Kelly said. Let's take a look at exactly what LSU fans should expect from Perkins on the field in 2025. Predicting LSU football star Harold Perkins' 2025 stats Perkins will be all over the place in 2025. He won't get the chance to rack up stats in one specific category, but these numbers reflect a strong all-around defender playing at an All-SEC level. Some may be a bit generous given Perkins' last two years and we don't know what he's going to look like, but the reports are positive. Perkins is set to have his best season since the 2022 campaign.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Alabama attorney general pushes for trial of an ex-officer accused of fatally shooting an armed man
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama police officer charged with murder for shooting an armed Black man in the man's front yard during a dispute with a tow-truck driver shouldn't be granted immunity before going to trial, the state's attorney general says. In a court brief filed late Tuesday, Attorney General Steve Marshall said a lower court was correct in ruling that former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette, 25, failed to show "a clear legal right to prosecutorial immunity' when he fatally shot Stephen Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023. Shortly before 2 a.m., Marquette and two other officers accompanied the tow truck driver to repossess Perkins' pickup truck at his home in Decatur. When Perkins emerged from his house pointing a gun at the truck driver, Marquette fired 18 bullets less than two seconds after the officers emerged from a concealed position and identified themselves as law enforcement, according to body camera footage. The appeals court decision, and the fate of the trial, hinges on Alabama's ' stand your ground ' law, which grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who uses deadly force as long as they reasonably believe they're in danger and are somewhere they're rightfully allowed to be. Alabama allows judges to determine if someone acted in self-defense before a case goes to trial. After a Morgan County judge denied Marquette immunity in April, the ex-officer's lawyers asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the decision. The appeals court said the circuit judge's decision was a 'gross abuse of discretion' because the judge didn't give enough weight to Marquette's assertion that he feared for his life after Perkins pointed his gun at the officer before he was shot. If the appeals court rules against Marquette, he will go to trial in September. The shooting drew regular protests in the north Alabama city, and the three officers were fired after personnel hearings. Marquette is white. While the attorney general's brief didn't contest that Marquette feared for his life, he argued that witnesses in a pre-trial hearing failed to establish that Marquette was at Perkins' house on legitimate police duty, and therefore 'there remain open questions regarding whether he had a legal right" to be there. The brief, written by the Assistant Attorney General Kristi Wilkerson, pointed to conflicting testimony from the two officers who were with Marquette when he shot Perkins. One officer testified that the three officers were at Perkins' house to investigate a misdemeanor menacing charge since Perkins had previously pulled a gun on the tow truck driver in an attempt to repossess Perkins' truck earlier that night. The other officer testified that he was unaware of a menacing investigation, saying that he believed they were there to assist in 'keeping the peace.' Alabama law requires a court order for law enforcement to be involved in a vehicle repossession — which the officers didn't have. Testimony from a state agent who investigated the shooting, Jamie King, also conflicted with both officers' accounts of the moments leading up to the shooting. King said that while Marquette may have feared for his life, the three officers were not positioned in an effective way to keep the peace or to investigate menacing since they were intentionally out of Perkins' view until seconds before the shooting. Marquette's attorneys have argued that there is more than one way to conduct police operations. In light of the ambiguity, Marshall's office said deference should be given to the trial court's position, and that a jury "alone is in the best position to determine the trustworthiness of testimony presented to it.' All parties in the case are prohibited from speaking to the media. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alabama attorney general pushes for trial of an ex-officer accused of fatally shooting an armed man
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama police officer charged with murder for shooting an armed Black man in the man's front yard during a dispute with a tow-truck driver shouldn't be granted immunity before going to trial, the state's attorney general says. In a court brief filed late Tuesday, Attorney General Steve Marshall said a lower court was correct in ruling that former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette, 25, failed to show 'a clear legal right to prosecutorial immunity' when he fatally shot Stephen Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023. Shortly before 2 a.m., Marquette and two other officers accompanied the tow truck driver to repossess Perkins' pickup truck at his home in Decatur. When Perkins emerged from his house pointing a gun at the truck driver, Marquette fired 18 bullets less than two seconds after the officers emerged from a concealed position and identified themselves as law enforcement, according to body camera footage. The appeals court decision, and the fate of the trial, hinges on Alabama's ' stand your ground ' law, which grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who uses deadly force as long as they reasonably believe they're in danger and are somewhere they're rightfully allowed to be. Alabama allows judges to determine if someone acted in self-defense before a case goes to trial. After a Morgan County judge denied Marquette immunity in April, the ex-officer's lawyers asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the decision. The appeals court said the circuit judge's decision was a 'gross abuse of discretion' because the judge didn't give enough weight to Marquette's assertion that he feared for his life after Perkins pointed his gun at the officer before he was shot. If the appeals court rules against Marquette, he will go to trial in September. The shooting drew regular protests in the north Alabama city, and the three officers were fired after personnel hearings. Marquette is white. While the attorney general's brief didn't contest that Marquette feared for his life, he argued that witnesses in a pre-trial hearing failed to establish that Marquette was at Perkins' house on legitimate police duty, and therefore 'there remain open questions regarding whether he had a legal right' to be there. The brief, written by the Assistant Attorney General Kristi Wilkerson, pointed to conflicting testimony from the two officers who were with Marquette when he shot Perkins. One officer testified that the three officers were at Perkins' house to investigate a misdemeanor menacing charge since Perkins had previously pulled a gun on the tow truck driver in an attempt to repossess Perkins' truck earlier that night. The other officer testified that he was unaware of a menacing investigation, saying that he believed they were there to assist in 'keeping the peace.' Alabama law requires a court order for law enforcement to be involved in a vehicle repossession — which the officers didn't have. Testimony from a state agent who investigated the shooting, Jamie King, also conflicted with both officers' accounts of the moments leading up to the shooting. King said that while Marquette may have feared for his life, the three officers were not positioned in an effective way to keep the peace or to investigate menacing since they were intentionally out of Perkins' view until seconds before the shooting. Marquette's attorneys have argued that there is more than one way to conduct police operations. In light of the ambiguity, Marshall's office said deference should be given to the trial court's position, and that a jury 'alone is in the best position to determine the trustworthiness of testimony presented to it.' All parties in the case are prohibited from speaking to the media. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Alabama attorney general pushes for trial of an ex-officer accused of fatally shooting an armed man
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama police officer charged with murder for shooting an armed Black man in the man's front yard during a dispute with a tow-truck driver shouldn't be granted immunity before going to trial, the state's attorney general says. In a court brief filed late Tuesday, Attorney General Steve Marshall said a lower court was correct in ruling that former Decatur police officer Mac Marquette, 25, failed to show 'a clear legal right to prosecutorial immunity' when he fatally shot Stephen Perkins on Sept. 29, 2023. Shortly before 2 a.m., Marquette and two other officers accompanied the tow truck driver to repossess Perkins' pickup truck at his home in Decatur. When Perkins emerged from his house pointing a gun at the truck driver, Marquette fired 18 bullets less than two seconds after the officers emerged from a concealed position and identified themselves as law enforcement, according to body camera footage. The appeals court decision, and the fate of the trial , hinges on Alabama's ' stand your ground ' law, which grants immunity from prosecution to anyone who uses deadly force as long as they reasonably believe they're in danger and are somewhere they're rightfully allowed to be. Alabama allows judges to determine if someone acted in self-defense before a case goes to trial. After a Morgan County judge denied Marquette immunity in April, the ex-officer's lawyers asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to overturn the decision. The appeals court said the circuit judge's decision was a 'gross abuse of discretion' because the judge didn't give enough weight to Marquette's assertion that he feared for his life after Perkins pointed his gun at the officer before he was shot. If the appeals court rules against Marquette, he will go to trial in September. The shooting drew regular protests in the north Alabama city, and the three officers were fired after personnel hearings. Marquette is white. While the attorney general's brief didn't contest that Marquette feared for his life, he argued that witnesses in a pre-trial hearing failed to establish that Marquette was at Perkins' house on legitimate police duty, and therefore 'there remain open questions regarding whether he had a legal right' to be there. The brief, written by the Assistant Attorney General Kristi Wilkerson, pointed to conflicting testimony from the two officers who were with Marquette when he shot Perkins. One officer testified that the three officers were at Perkins' house to investigate a misdemeanor menacing charge since Perkins had previously pulled a gun on the tow truck driver in an attempt to repossess Perkins' truck earlier that night. The other officer testified that he was unaware of a menacing investigation, saying that he believed they were there to assist in 'keeping the peace.' Alabama law requires a court order for law enforcement to be involved in a vehicle repossession — which the officers didn't have. Testimony from a state agent who investigated the shooting, Jamie King, also conflicted with both officers' accounts of the moments leading up to the shooting. King said that while Marquette may have feared for his life, the three officers were not positioned in an effective way to keep the peace or to investigate menacing since they were intentionally out of Perkins' view until seconds before the shooting. Marquette's attorneys have argued that there is more than one way to conduct police operations. In light of the ambiguity, Marshall's office said deference should be given to the trial court's position, and that a jury 'alone is in the best position to determine the trustworthiness of testimony presented to it.' All parties in the case are prohibited from speaking to the media. ___ Riddle is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kendrick Perkins Says Anthony Edwards Must Be A Family Man To Be The Face Of The League
Kendrick Perkins ignited a heated debate this week when he declared on First Take that Anthony Edwards' off-court life could hinder his chances of becoming the face of the NBA. Perkins, a former NBA player turned ESPN analyst, said the league's true figureheads have always shared one key quality: they were family men. "You got to be a role model. And things outside the lines matter. Now, if you go down the list of all the faces of the league in the history of the game, you look at Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, LeBron, Steph." Advertisement "What did they all have in common? While they was playing in the league, they all were family men. They all were married with kids. And if you think that don't play a role in force, the role model, this is facts." Perkins' take came as the Minnesota Timberwolves fell behind 3–1 in the Western Conference Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, potentially marking a second consecutive exit at this stage for Edwards. The 22-year-old guard has dazzled in the playoffs with his elite scoring, clutch moments, and unmistakable charisma. His magnetic personality, fiery competitiveness, and swaggering style have naturally drawn comparisons to some of the game's greats, including Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade. From the American perspective, Edwards appears poised to take the baton as the league's next great marketable superstar. Yet, Perkins' comments have added a layer of complexity to that narrative. While Edwards checks nearly every box on the court, talent, leadership, highlight plays, his personal life has been far from traditional. In the last two years, Edwards has reportedly fathered four children with four different women. Advertisement These reports, while unconfirmed in full by Edwards himself, have circulated through court documents and social media. At least two of the mothers have posted publicly about their children, and Edwards has been involved in multiple paternity and custody filings across state lines. Whether or not that makes him unfit to be the face of the NBA is a subjective argument, but it brings up a deeper question about what it means to represent a global sports brand. The NBA has long favored stars who are not only elite athletes but also relatable, aspirational figures off the court. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and even Kobe Bryant (despite controversies) were all portrayed as family-oriented leaders. Their perceived wholesomeness bolstered their brand appeal and media endorsements, something the NBA, its sponsors, and fans don't take lightly. Edwards himself has expressed discomfort with being labeled the face of the league. That humility may play in his favor in the long run, but Perkins' comments suggest that the image, whether cultivated or real, still matters. Advertisement Ultimately, Anthony Edwards' ascent won't be stopped by his off-court choices alone, but in a league where optics are everything, Kendrick Perkins' remarks are a reminder: in today's NBA, greatness isn't just about points per game, it's also about perception. Related: "Didn't Get Enough Shots To Say I Struggled": Anthony Edwards In Denial After Thunder Steal Game 4
