Perryman enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1982 and played college football at the fullback position for head coach Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1983 to 1986.[2] He scored three touchdowns in the 1984 season opener against the #1 ranked Miami Hurricanes.[3] He also rushed for 107 yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns against Hawaii in the final game of the 1986 season.[4] In four years at Michigan, Perryman totaled 1,247 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 274 carries. He also caught 20 passes for 199 yards and one receiving touchdown.[5]
Professional football
Perryman was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round (79th overall pick) of the 1987 NFL draft.[6] He played four years for the Patriots from 1987 to 1990, appearing in 49 games, including 38 games as a starter. He gained 1,294 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns on 369 carries (3.5 yards per carry) for the Patriots. He also caught 64 passes for 430 yards while playing for the Patriots.[1] Perryman, along with Patriots teammates Zeke Mowatt and Michael Timpson, were fined by the NFL for alleged sexual harassment stemming from a locker room interview involving Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson in September 1990.[7]
After being released by the Patriots, Perryman signed with the Dallas Cowboys during the 1990 season but did not appear in any games.[8] Perryman concluded his NFL career with the Denver Broncos during the 1991 and 1992 NFL seasons. He appeared in 19 games for the Broncos (eight as a starter) and gained 44 yards on 24 carries.[1]