Perine played college football for the Florida Gators from 2016 to 2019, where he showcased his skills as a versatile running back. In his senior year, he had 676 rushing yards and six touchdowns, along with 40 receptions for 262 yards and five touchdowns. Perine’s performance at Florida caught the eye of NFL scouts, leading to his selection by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.