Had visited with Miami late in the process.
STRENGTHS: Good-sized athlete with above-average straight-line speed (also a sprinter in college) … has the range to cover wide areas and the athletic balance to
handle tight quarters … recovers well vertically to regain phase and turn to locate the football … balances his vision to feel his surroundings and match receivers
underneath with his quick feet … didn’t draw a flag during his two seasons in Fort Worth … fills with better authority than expected … able to elude blocks mid-pursuit
without taking his eyes off the main prize … open-field burst pops when he drives down in the run game … was used in multiple roles and played for three different
defensive coordinators in college, which helped expand his versatility.
WEAKNESSES: Didn’t record an interception in his 27 games at TCU … inconsistent ability to track over the top or quickly find the football deep … has cornerback
speed, but his transitions get herky-jerky in attempts to stay attached to speedy NFL slots … feet are a tad delayed when matching releases near the line of
scrimmage, forcing him to play catch up … overaggressive tendencies and will take the cheese on play fakes and misdirection … route recognition can run hot and
cold … tends to attack from angles in run support and is too willing to make ankle-diving tackles, allowing ball carriers to spin out or pick up extra yardage (see 2023
Texas Tech tape) … wasn’t used as a blitzer at TCU.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at TCU, Perry was the strong safety in defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie’s 3-3-5 base scheme, playing primarily in off coverage. After three seasons at Colorado (football and track), he transferred to the Horned Frogs for his final two seasons and combined for 142 tackles — although his ball production wasn’t nearly as impressive (six passes defended and zero interceptions in 27 games). In coverage, Perry reacts with natural twitch and field range to cover a lot of ground, but he needs improved route recognition to better put himself in position to make plays on the ball. He plays gap sound in the alley and can finish one-on-one when he uses proper technique and timing. Overall, Perry will occasionally lose his man when left on an island, but his explosive athleticism allows for quick recoveries and shows in the run game, as well. He projects as an NFL reserve with upside to see the field in sub packages and on special teams. GRADE: 6th-7th Round