Interview with IMG Academy safety Spencer Perry, commits to Florida Gators

When last catching up with new IMG Academy safety Spencer Perry, the world was on a string for him with college recruiters from around the country knocking down his door, or at least filling up his phone with “how are you doing” messages. A few weeks after last talking to young Mr. Perry nothing has changed except for one small detail, he committed to the Florida Gators on Friday.

The list of early offers included Albany, Florida, Michigan, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Vanderbilt, and Memphis. Tack on a few more offers from Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia Southern, and Notre Dame for the 6’3”, 202 pound, bell ringer.

Perry still has interests from Auburn, Cincinnati, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina and don’t forget about Ohio State.

Spencer sat down for a one-on-one Recruiting News Guru interview covering his commitment to Florida, his spring and summer college campus travel plans, and his offseason workouts.

Spencer, first, congratulations on your commitment to Florida.

“Thank you.”

What prompted you to commit while on your visit to the Florida campus?

“The whole family was up there. The chemistry was there with the coaches. They have a great head coach in (Jim) McElwain and my position coach, Coach (Kirk) Callahan, is a great guy. When I got there they had a great plan for me as a player and as a student. They have one of the best public schools in the nation. I liked everything about it.”

Did you have any idea on your way to Gainesville that you might end up committing before your trip was over?

“I didn’t know I was going to commit – it was just great there. I loved everything about it. They have a very strong education program, I met all the coaches – I liked it. I love Gainesville. I can see myself there in college.”

When we last spoke you were about to head off to visit Florida State. How did that visit go for you?

“When I was there I talked to the coaches, they said they were going to come down to see me. I like FSU, Coach (Charles) Kelly is a pretty good guy. They have nice facilities. You think all universities would have great facilities but their facilities were really good.”

Do you have plans to make any more unofficial visits over the spring or summer?

“I still want to see and weigh all of my options. I have not been to Notre Dame, Michigan, Vanderbilt, or Ohio State yet. I want to go to Auburn again. I’m definitely committed to Florida though.”

Do you plan to go to any one-day college camps this summer?

“I’m not planning on going to any college camps this summer. I’ll take my visits and weigh my options in every aspect.”

Are you going to go to any exposure camps this summer?

“I went to the Rivals Camp and made Top Fit Performer. I’m not going to the Nike camps. I was going to go to one but spent time with my family over spring break instead.”

How is your offseason training going for you?

“When I can I train with a guy out of Atlanta, Coach Jared Bidne, on explosive speed mechanics. I train with and against college athletes there. I’m getting more explosive, faster, stronger, bigger, the whole nine. The rest of the time I’m training at school.”

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: scout.com; Spencer Perry

Photo credit: university of Florida; Perry family welcomed by Florida Gators