As the Power 5 scholarship offers continue to pour in, Park Crossing rising junior defensive end Khurtiss Perry is just enjoying the process.
“I don’t have any favorites right now,” Perry said. “I’m sitting back and enjoying it all. I am going to take it very slow. I’m not in any hurry. I only have one shot at this. I want to get it right.”
The 6-foot-3, 295-pound Perry garnered offers from national powers Florida and Michigan in recent weeks. He already has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Nebraska, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and many others.
“They all mean a lot to me,” he said. “It’s all a blessing.”
Though no recruits have been able to visit colleges during the coronavirus pandemic, Perry previously had visited South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee and “a few more other schools.”
He has positive reviews of the vibes he has received from Auburn and Alabama.
“At Auburn, coach G (Rodney Garner) is a great coach,” he said. “He is very focused on discipline and being respectful. He has been good at advising me on what I should or shouldn’t do in all aspects of my life. For him, it’s bigger than football.
“At Alabama, same deal with coach (Nick) Saban. He stays on me, too. Both are great schools. I really couldn’t tell you which one is my favorite between those two or overall. That’s why I’m taking it all very slowly and enjoying it along the way.”
Perry, a 5-star prospect, is the No. 4 junior prospect in the state, according to 247 recruiting rankings. He follows only Thompson DE and Alabama commit Jeremiah Alexander, Geneva County RB Emmanuel Henderson and Oxford DB Trequon Fegans.
Perry also recently was ranked the No. 9 strong defensive end in the nation in the Class of 2022, according to collegefootballtoday.org. However, he said he still has plenty of work to do.
“You always have a chance to get better each and every day. That will never change,” he said. “My goal is to be more powerful and be in better shape than I was last year, so I can come through on plays that my team needs me to come through. I can get better at everything.”
Perry, a first-team ASWA All-State selection as a sophomore, finished the year with 53 tackles, including 25 for a loss, and four sacks. He was one of three finalists for Class 6A Lineman of the Year.
He said college coaches have talked to him about playing a number of different positions, including outside linebacker, defensive end and defensive tackle.
“Wherever they put me, I’m just going to go to work,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where I play as long as I can contribute to the team.”
Perry and his Park Crossing teammates will return to workouts on Monday following the coronavirus shutdown. When they do, they’ll have a new coach. Former Alabama State head coach L.C. Cole was approved as the school’s fourth head coach in April.
“I think he’s going to be a great coach,” Perry said. “I’m looking forward to getting back with my team. I miss my brothers. I’m ready to get back to work.”