Jamir Perez, the dynamic defensive lineman out of Miami, Florida, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names in the 2025 recruiting cycle. A verbal commit to the Florida Gators, Perez brings a rare combination of explosive athleticism, technical refinement, and a relentless motor that makes him one of the premier defensive prospects in the country. At 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, he has the physical tools to be an immediate impact player in Gainesville and a foundational piece for Florida’s defense for years to come.
Perez plays his high school football at Miami Central, a program known for producing elite talent on both sides of the ball. The competition he faces in South Florida is among the toughest in the nation, and Perez hasn’t just held his own—he’s dominated. His tape reveals a player with natural instincts and an advanced understanding of leverage, hand placement, and gap responsibility. Whether he’s playing defensive end in a four-man front or sliding inside to rush from the three-technique spot, Perez creates problems for offensive linemen with his quick first step and violent hands.
What jumps out immediately is his burst off the snap. Perez has elite acceleration for a lineman, often beating offensive tackles before they even have time to set their feet. That get-off is married with an array of pass-rush moves, including a devastating swim move, a bull rush that consistently knocks linemen off balance, and a developing spin move that he deploys with increasing success. Unlike many high school defensive linemen who rely solely on athleticism, Perez already shows signs of being a skilled technician. He understands how to set up offensive linemen over the course of a game, baiting them with speed before countering with power or finesse.
His versatility is another defining trait. Perez has the frame and skill set to play multiple positions along the defensive front. While he projects as a defensive end at the collegiate level, Florida’s defensive staff will have the luxury of moving him around based on matchups. On tape, he has taken snaps at 3-tech, 5-tech, and even stood up in a two-point stance on the edge. His ability to slide inside on passing downs gives Florida tremendous flexibility in their sub-packages. He’s the kind of player who can stay on the field all three downs, whether it’s first-and-10 or third-and-long.
Against the run, Perez is stout and disciplined. He sets a firm edge and rarely allows himself to be sealed or washed out. He does an excellent job of keeping his pad level low and plays with great balance, allowing him to hold the point of attack and disengage from blocks quickly. What’s most impressive is his ability to diagnose plays in real time. He reads keys well and rarely takes false steps. Whether it’s recognizing a trap block, snuffing out a screen, or chasing down a ball carrier from the backside, his football IQ is on full display.
Perez’s pursuit is relentless. He plays with an edge and a motor that runs hot every snap. When he’s not making the play himself, he’s influencing it—forcing quarterbacks to move off their spot or flushing runners toward help. He chases plays down from behind and rarely gives up on a rep, no matter how far the ball moves away from him. That kind of effort is infectious and exactly what college coaches look for when evaluating defensive linemen. It’s also indicative of the kind of work ethic that could help him see the field early once he arrives in Gainesville.
Athletically, Perez checks nearly every box. He’s long, lean, and muscular with room to add good weight to his frame. His lower body is powerful, allowing him to explode through contact, while his upper body is strong enough to shed blocks with authority. His footwork is smooth, and he shows excellent lateral agility for a player his size. He’s fluid enough in space to occasionally drop into shallow zones, something he’s been asked to do in coverage during high school. While he likely won’t play that role in college, the fact that he’s capable of doing so speaks to his athletic range.
Perez also possesses the intangibles that coaches covet. By all accounts, he’s a leader in the locker room and a tireless worker in the weight room and on the practice field. His coaches rave about his character, humility, and focus. He’s a student of the game who spends hours in the film room, constantly working to refine his craft and improve his technique. That approach, combined with his natural gifts, suggests that his best football is still ahead of him.
From a recruiting standpoint, landing Perez was a major win for the Gators. Florida beat out several bluebloods for his commitment, including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Miami. The Gators’ coaching staff, particularly defensive line coach Sean Spencer and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong, made Perez a top priority early in the cycle and built a strong relationship with both him and his family. The coaching staff’s vision for how he would be used in Florida’s system resonated with Perez, and their persistence paid off.
His commitment sends a strong signal to the rest of the 2025 class. Florida is serious about fortifying its defensive line with elite talent, and Perez is the kind of player who can attract others to join him in Gainesville. In an era where trench play often determines the outcome of games, landing a blue-chip defensive lineman like Perez helps elevate the program’s ceiling. He’s the type of cornerstone recruit who can redefine a unit and serve as the anchor for future defensive classes.
There’s always a learning curve when transitioning from high school to the SEC, but Perez has the tools to navigate it smoothly. The speed of the college game, the complexity of schemes, and the physicality of SEC offensive linemen will all present new challenges. However, Perez’s film study habits and competitive mindset give him a real chance to contribute early. If he can adapt to the pace and stay healthy, there’s a legitimate pathway for him to crack the rotation as a true freshman and potentially even push for a starting job by his sophomore year.
Looking ahead, Perez also carries NFL potential. While it’s always difficult to project high school players into the professional ranks, the traits are all there. His frame, athleticism, technical skills, and motor are the building blocks of a future pro. Continued development at Florida, under a staff known for producing NFL-caliber linemen, could elevate him into one of the top defensive line prospects in the 2028 draft class. It’s still early, of course, but the ceiling is undeniably high.
In terms of scheme fit, Perez should thrive in Florida’s multiple-front defense. The Gators like to mix up their looks and bring pressure from a variety of angles, and Perez is the type of player who can align in various spots and win his matchup. He’s equally comfortable playing with his hand in the dirt or from a two-point stance and can contribute in both base and nickel packages. His ability to move along the line creates matchup problems for opposing offenses and gives the Gators a weapon they can deploy creatively.
Perez’s recruitment and commitment also underscore the importance of building relationships in modern college football. With NIL and the transfer portal changing the landscape, identifying, recruiting, and retaining high-character, high-upside players has never been more critical. Florida not only secured a commitment from a blue-chip talent but did so by investing time, energy, and genuine interest in Perez as a person—not just a player. That kind of culture-building will pay dividends on and off the field.
As the 2025 cycle continues to unfold, Jamir Perez remains one of the crown jewels of Florida’s class. He’s a difference-maker, a culture-setter, and a player with sky-high potential. The excitement surrounding his future is well-founded, and if his high school career is any indication, Florida fans have every reason to believe that he’ll become a star in the Swamp. Whether it’s setting the edge, rushing the passer, or disrupting plays from the interior, Perez is poised to make his presence felt. The Gators landed a special one—and the rest of the SEC should take notice.
