Interview: Rancho Cucamonga is Producing Another Big Time Defensive Back in 2019 SS Talent Mark Perry

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

How do you like your football safeties – a big hitter ready to pop a receiver going across the middle or a guy that can cover deep stopping hopeful offenses from moving down the field? Either way, Mark Perry fits the bill after a very successful junior season with Rancho Cucamonga High School. No surprise that the Cougars are prepping another defensive back for the collegiate ranks with teams up and down the west coast wanting to learn more about Perry.

In their own way, Rancho Cucamonga is developing into the high school equivalent for “Defensive Back University.” The 2015 class produced Jerry Chaney (San Diego State) and then started to bring along the likes of Tayari Venable (San Diego State), Jaylon Redd (Oregon), and Thomas Graham (San Diego State) in the 2017 class. The 2019 class paired safety Mark Perry and corner/athlete Jeremiah Criddell, a four-star who has transferred to Mater Dei, in the secondary. In stats posted through 10 games, Perry had 19 tackles, 18 solo, one tackle for a loss, and broke up three passes pushing him into the conversation among California’s best defensive backs.

The actions on the field in 2017 for the 6-0.5, 190 pound, safety has brought in offers from Arizona State and Nevada with interest expanding to UCLA, San Diego State, Boise State, Washington, and Nebraska, among others. In a Recruiting News Guru Q&A interview, I got to ask the three-star prospect about his junior season on the field, his offseason workouts, and received an update on his recruitment.

Interview

Mark, how did you improve your game last season playing safety?

“My game at safety has improved a lot especially with my eye discipline and patience. Playing 7v7 ball with Ground Zero has been helping me a lot with that.”

You cover well and you bring the hat on receivers, how do you describe your game to others?

“I bring speed and size to the table and a lot of discipline.”

What are you working on this offseason?

“This offseason I want to improve on my press man technique and also off man technique. Also, I’d like to be a better student of the game knowing what to do and when to do it so I can be able to lead our defense this year.”

You touched on this a minute ago. You ‘re playing 7v7 ball with Ground Zero this spring, how is 7v7 helping improve your game?

“With Ground Zero it helps me improve my press man technique and gets me more comfortable on the field. It is helping me get ready for camps and college competition as well.”

Which teams are showing recruiting interest but have not offered yet?

“Boise state has showed quite a bit of interest. Wyoming, Nebraska, Eastern Washington, and Washington are showing interest. There’s a couple more schools that have come to my school to speak with me.”

Which schools have offered you?

“Nevada and Arizona State have offered.”

Have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“Yes. Last spring, I took unofficial visits to UNLV, UCLA and San Diego State.”

Do you have any unofficial visits scheduled?

“I’m planning an unofficial with Nevada. I am trying to put one together with Washington and with Boise State.”

Are you going to any national camps and/or combines like Nike?

“I will be attending Rivals and the Nike Opening Regional.”

Are there any college camps you might attend this summer?

“I will most likely attend the USC camp and a Boise state camp. I want to go to an Oregon and Washington camp as well.”

What are your offseason goals?

“I am striving to get faster and stronger and be a better student of the game.”

For those college coaches out there that may not know about you but read this interview, if they start recruiting you, what type of student-athlete are they recruiting?

“For all the college coaches reading this, I just want to say I’m a hardworking person. I will always give you my 110 percent effort on and off the field.”

Mark, thanks for your time today and good luck with all the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Perry family; Mark Perry