Interview: Standout Senior Season for SS Koby Perry has led to Recruiting Battle for Georgia Talent
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
The old saying that game tape does not lie directly hits the nail on the head when talking about Koby Perry’s senior season. The Alcovy High School standout had a fantastic 2016 season leading to a recruiting battle with 22 offers on the table from college programs across the spectrum at the next level. Where he may ended up in college is still up in the air.
Perry did a little bit of everything for his Covington area squad in 2016 logging 32 carries for 131 yards with one score and snatched eight passes for 174 yards with another score. His 14.6 yard per carry average was impressive but still paled in comparison to a season’s worth of big plays on defense. Holding down the safety position for Alcovy, Perry ended up with 56 tackles, 32 solo, four tackles for a loss, defended eight passes, and came up with three interceptions in stats posted through nine games.
All of the hard work helped Alcovy improve from 1-9 in 2015 to 4-6 in 2016. His actions went noticed by opposing coaches and Georgia media honoring him with first team All-Region Defensive Back. The 6-2, 170 pound, talent is still raw but is instinctive, has good speed, and is a big hitter playing safety like a middle linebacker ready to crack a helmet.
Perry’s family moved from Covington to Newton and then back again between his sophomore and junior seasons putting him at a disadvantage on the field. Due to transfer rules, Perry was limited to junior varsity action in 2015 taking away opportunities for him to showcase his talents for college coaches then. When the time came for him to take the field at the varsity level, Perry did not shy away from multiple roles on both sides of the ball and on special teams or all of the responsibilities and expectations placed upon him. The budding talent Perry has on the gridiron has caught the attention of Division-II and junior college programs from across the country leading to a frenzy as National Signing Day approaches.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Perry going over his senior season while getting an overview on his recruiting prospects.
Interview
Koby, where all did you line up on the field during your senior season?
“I lined up at wide receiver, running back, safety, back on punt returns and kickoff returns, I was on kickoffs, and a rover in the box.”
Which position is your favorite?
“Safety.”
Is that the position you want to play in college?
“Yes, sir.”
How did you get better at safety during your senior season?
“My coach, Altoine Wilson, did a lot of extra work with me pushing me to go harder. He trained me to be better than I was and to go harder. It turned out for the best. Being an athlete, he taught me technique and we went from there.”
What are you working on this off-season to improve upon before going to the next level?
“I’m working on putting on some weight while getting stronger and faster. I have been invited to some camps, schools want to see me cover. I’ve been running hills too.”
Which camps have you been invited to coming up?
“I’ve been invited to a Martin Luther King camp and Slippery Rock University wants to work me out for them.”
Did you receive any postseason honors?
“Yes, sir. I was All-Region first team DB, All-Citizen first team (between two counties), and All County first team DB. For me to make first team All-Region was an honor. There are a lot of talented defensive backs in our area.”
How many offers do you have right now?
“I have 22 offers. Since I said I was dropping my Top 7 (Jan. 13) other coaches have started hitting me up.”
Which schools have offered you so far?
“Highlands, Hartnell, LaGrange, Huntingdon, Dodge City, Pima, Independence, Trinity Bible College, ASA College, Alderson Broaddus College, Glenville State, Avila, Hastings College, Northeast Oklahoma, Pikeville, Fort Scott, Coffeyville, Garden City, Ellesworth, Tusculum College, Shasta, and Northland.”
Do you have any visits planned?
“I’m planning on going to ASA in New York and to Tusculum. Tusculum is a visit and a camp on Jan. 16. On Jan. 28, I’m flying to Dodge City as of now. I plan on going on a visit to a school in Atlanta, to Pikeville, and to Glenville State if I can. I’m trying to squeeze everything in there.”
You have announced that you are releasing your Top 7 on Jan. 13. How have you narrowed down your 22 offers to seven?
“I have narrowed it down by the program and the coaches. I want to be at a place that cares about my education first. I want a good program that has proven they can send players to the D-I level or to the next level.”
Are you playing any winter or spring sports?
“Right now I’m an active basketball player and I run track.”
How is your basketball season going?
“It is going good so far. We started off good but we have dropped a couple of games. We have some hurt players. We are trying to keep the winning spirit.”
Are you starting?
“Yes, sir.”
What are you averaging on the court?
“About nine points a game and about seven rebounds.”
Nice. Which track events will you run?
“The 400.”
What is your goal in the 400 this year?
“My goal is to run a 47.”
What is one of the things you are most grateful for from your senior season?
“Coach Toby Davis. He was a new coach at our school. He had a great attitude and pushed me to go harder. He was the offensive coordinator. For him to care about me on defense says a lot about him. He saw something in me that I did not see in myself.”
Koby, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your recruiting process.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: varsitynews.com; Koby Perry celebrates a big play.
Photo credit: CovNews.com; No. 4 Koby Perry on the field.
Photo credit: CovNews.com; No. 4 Koby Perry lines up at wide receiver.