Interview: 5-Star 2022 Alabama DL Khurtiss Perry Talks Recruiting Ahead of Clemson Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Football is a man’s game at every level where the best of the best rise to the top. Being “the man” for any given team at any given level has nothing to do with experience per say but a whole lot to do with talent and desire. As a freshman, Park Crossing High School defensive lineman Khurtiss Perry played at and above the level of his senior competitors dominating 6A Alabama trenches. The 6-3, 265-pound, pocket collapsar terrorized offensive linemen, quarterbacks, and running backs for 22 tackles for a loss with three sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. In the Thunderbirds (0-2) first two games of the season, Perry has already logged four tackles for a loss, eight solo tackles, and has picked off a pass.

Perry’s talents and upside has earned a five-star recruiting ranking backed by 17 college programs seeing him as a future All-Conference performer for their respective squads. To learn more about the young man who dominates the trenches like a seasoned veteran, I got time with Perry covering a little bit of everything.

Interview

Khurtiss, your get off was too much for offensive linemen to handle last season. What did you work on this offseason to compliment your speed and quickness off the ball?

“I worked on my hands, my footwork and getting bigger and better.”

Being a freshman last season, I am sure there was a decent amount of trash talking going on with the opposing upperclassmen trying to intimidate you, and I am sure that noise was quieted quickly once the game got going. What were some of the funnier comments you got with guys trying to throw you off your game?

“Yes, sir. They one I got the most was ‘that I suck’.”

You took care of that talk in a hurry.

“Yes, sir.”

Two games into your sophomore season, where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your overall game keeping the trash out of the game?

“My get off is faster and my hands are better.”

Did you max out this offseason?

“Yes, sir. I got 305 on bench and 525 on squat.”

Impressive.

“Thank you.”

Did you compete at any college camps this summer?

“Yes, sir. I went to camps at Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Auburn.”

At which camp did you turn in your best performance?

“I balled out at all of them.”

I believe that. Going into recruiting. I know we are just coming out of a dead period and you are an underclassman, but which schools that you know of are showing recruiting interest?

“I am receiving interest from Clemson and Alabama.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have 17 offers.”

Perry’s Offer Sheet (17): Auburn, Central Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Georgia, Kansas, LSU, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Penn State, Tennessee, Troy, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia

Nice. Did you visit any campus this offseason?

“Yes. I visited Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn, and Alabama.”

How did the Alabama trip go?

“It was pretty good. Everything is smooth there; that is about the same with every school.”

And Auburn?

“It was pretty good too.”

Are you planning any upcoming visits?

“Yes, sir. I am going to Clemson on Saturday, South Carolina on the 14th and I plan on visiting Georgia, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn and maybe Ohio State when I can.”

Busy man. Going back to football. You lined up at the 3- and 5-technique last season, are you keeping the same roles this season or adding some new wrinkles to your overall game?

“I play the 7- and 9-technique and I will play some at outside linebacker. They put me everywhere. I play for the team, not for myself. Whatever I can do to help the team win I will do.”

Is there an aspect to your game that gets overlooked that you are ready to showcase this season?

“Yes, sir. That I am not too small to play any position on the defensive line. I want to prove that I am athletic.”

The Thunderbirds have started off with two tough games only losing by a total of eight points. What is the mindset heading into the next game against Clay-Chalkville?

“We know we have to pick up our game faster. It is the little stuff. We have to cut out the mistakes – no holding penalties and no jumping offsides. We have to play our game and do what we do and we will be alright.”

What goals have you set for yourself for the 2019 season?

“We did not come out the way we wanted, so the goal has changed. The goal is to finish the season winning region, dominate in the playoffs, and win state. We have the hardest schedule in Alabama this season.”

That will pay off in the end; you guys will be battle tested.

“Yes, sir.”

Last question for you. Are there any misconceptions about you with recruiting that you would like to clear up?

“Yes. There are a lot of schools that ask me about getting out of Alabama, I have no problem going out of state for college. My goal is to go to a school with a great environment, great academics, and to a place that will prepare me for the next step in life.”

Khurtiss, I appreciate your time today and wish you and the Thunderbirds success the rest of the way.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Perry family; Khurtiss Perry at Clemson and Auburn