Top recruit, former Georgia commit visiting South Carolina’s main competition for him
Dacula, Ga., cornerback Jalen Perry has taken multiple unofficial visits to South Carolina for games this season, and he’s also been to Michigan for a game. The Gamecocks and Wolverines have moved to the top of his list separating from Auburn and Florida and over the next two weekends Perry plans to get a much closer look at both programs.
This coming weekend Perry and his parents will officially visit Michigan. Perry was in Ann Arbor a little over a month ago and he has developed a strong relationship with the staff there.
“They’ve just been recruiting me really hard lately and I have a good relationship with those coaches there,” Perry said. “I enjoy it when I’m up there. I just kind of wanted to take an official . That’s there last home game up there. I plan on taking this official to Michigan for their last home game and then after that taking one to South Carolina.”
Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown is considered one of the best in the business. The Wolverines lead the nation in total defense through 10 games at 219.8 yards per game. That’s a fact Perry can’t overlook.
“It’s very appealing,” he said. “I think Coach Brown has had like a top three defense in the past four or five years now at Boston College and at Michigan. He’s a great defensive mind. And Coach (Michael) Zordich (cornerbacks coach), I really likes the way he coaches players and the teacher that he is. Those guys are really great coaches and that’s really important. And also Michigan is playing really good football right now. All those combined are the reason, and in academics, the Wolverines are towards the top.”
South Carolina’s Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson are doing all they can to counter Michigan’s appeal. They can’t match the success of the Wolverines this season, though they did beat them in the bowl game last season, but they can push relationships and playing time.
“I talk to Muschamp and T-Rob on almost a day to basis,” Perry said. “I’ve had conversations with both of them recently. T-Rob and Muschamp have continued to recruit me very hard and I enjoy the conversations I have with them. Those are two really great coaches. Coach T-Rob, I’ve been building a relationship with him for a long time, ever since i started to get recruited. I love those guys and they are a top school for me.”
So, it appears to be a tight race between USC and Michigan, and Perry said the next two weekends will go a long way in his decision making process.
“These officials are going to be very important as far as seeing all of the campus, being around the coaches and players more than I ever have before. I would say these officials are going to basically be the determining factor in the decision.”
Perry said he remains in contact with Auburn and Florida but they are behind the other two. He’s not ruling out any more official visits but he has no others planned. He said a decision will come “very soon” after the USC visit assuming he doesn’t schedule any other visits. It could come the following week. He will be an early signee and an early enrollee.
Notes:
6-5 Gerald Drumgoole of Rochester, NY said Wednesday night he will not be signing during the early period. Drumgoole, who attends school in Indiana, has taken official visits to USC and Minnesota. He said the Gamecocks remain in the picture with him.
USC men signed 6-9 Wildens Leveque of Brocton, MA and will sign 6-2 Trae Hannibal of Hartsville Thursday.
USC women signed 6-3 Laeticia Amihere of Ontario and 6-0 Breanna Beal of Rock Island, IL.
Presbyterian signed 6-9 Owen McCormack of Advance, NC, 6-4 CJ Melton of Hoover, AL and 6-6 RJ Wilson of Raleigh, NC.
Wofford signed 6-3 Hunter Cattoor of Orlando and 6-5 Zac Ervin of Gate City, VA.
Charleston Southern signed 6-8 Terence Porter Jr., a native of Atlanta who attends The Skill Factory Prep School in Atlanta.
6-6 Josiah James of Porter Gaud signed his LOI with Tennessee Wednesday.
6-1 Ta’lon Cooper of Dorman will signed with Morehead State.
CB Jaydon Hill of Madison, AL has set an official visit to USC for this weekend. He has been a Florida commitment since September picking the Gators then over USC and Tennessee.
OL Will Putnam of Tampa will take an official visit to #Clemson this weekend. He also has taken officials to Auburn and Florida State.
QB Ryan Hilinski signed his financial aid papers today with USC.
2021 CB Jarae Foster of Woodstock, GA will visit Clemson Saturday.
2021 ATH Jordan Burrell of Blythewood will visit Wake Forest this Saturday.
USC commitment TE KeShawn Toney has set his official visit with the Gamecocks for December 7th.
2020 WR Porter Rooks of Charlotte, who has a USC offer and who drew Clemson interest, named a top 8 of Alabama, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, NC State, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma.
This story was originally published November 15, 2018 at 9:54 AM.