Perry takes team-first approach to be a Vol
It was an easy decision for Nashville athlete Vincent Perry.
The option was given to Perry to sign on Wednesday or blueshirt and help Tennessee's class add more players to it as the Vols continue to try and add to an already top five signing class.
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"At first I was going to use a normal scholarship and then later on they gave me the option to blueshirt because that will allow more people to play, so I said, 'Sure,'" Perry explained. "I know me and Jocquez Bruce are doing it. Me and my parents are fine with it and we are excited."
Perry will still arrive on campus this summer and will be a full scholarship student athlete once he arrives. His motivation?
"I feel like it's about the team and not just about me," Perry said. "I feel like if I'm more about the team then soon enough we'll be able to make a national championship and win them. I've always been a team first guy."
Perry said he believes Tennessee is on the cusp of moving back up the SEC ladder and said his reasons for blueshirting were simple. He believes in what Butch Jones is building at Tennessee and wants to be a part of it.
"It starts off with how comfortable it is to be around coach Jones," Perry said. "He's a cool person and the whole staff and all the coaches are, too. I feel like he is making something happen. I can't even explain it. I know something is about to happen and it's going to be good."
While Perry has been focused on football for several months he's beginning to transition into baseball season as he's one of the top players in the state of Tennessee.
This past weekend Perry participated in the Super 60 even in Chicago and was watched by several MLB scouts. Perry said he's come a long way after having ACL surgery almost 12 months ago and the injury has motivated him ever since.
"It motivated me a lot because in football I think my recruitment started off late because of my ACL and in baseball it started late as well," Perry said. "I actually just got back from Chicago (Monday night) after I worked out for the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres. I tore it up."
Despite interest from the MLB and a possible high-round draft pick, Perry said his plan is to head to Rocky Top this summer and play baseball next spring once the football season is over.
"I'm still wanting to go to college first. That's always been my dream," Perry said. "With my football scholarship I will be a baseball walk-on. I'm excited for that as well."
Perry, who said he will start out playing wide receiver for the Vols, is trying to concentrate on being a Hillsboro Burro baseball player one last season before looking ahead to Tennessee.
"I'm not looking too far down the road but I'm looking forward to being there and I'm excited about it," Perry said.