Versatile Perry could have Vols, MLB options
Vincent Perry doesn't hesitate to embrace the onsetting challenge: Yes, the lithe athlete from Nashville is fully intent on becoming the University of Tennessee's first two-sport participant in baseball and football in several years.
Perry, who just moved into his Rocky Top dwellings and will room with Darrin Kirkland Jr., Stephen Griffin and former high school teammate Kyle Phillips, helped lead his Hillsboro squad to the Class 5A state championship game on the gridiron in December and then was a base-stealing, run-scoring force for the Burros this spring on the diamond.
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In fact, Perry has had multiple workouts for Major League Baseball teams, with the Texas Rangers having shown particular interest.
But Perry, yet another Vols signee to hone his gridiron tools with the regionally acclaimed National Playmakers Academy which helped develop current Vols Josh Malone and Kyle Phillips, wants to try to make a splash on the football field for Tennessee as well.
Coaches have talked to him about fitting into the offense at the slot receiver position and potentially earning a special teams role.
Perry just wants to get to work. But, the former three-star prospect chatted with VolQuest.com shortly before summer classes began this week in Knoxville.
What is something about you that people probably don't know?
V.P.: I don't know. I just like having fun. I roller skate a lot. I love roller skating. I go to the skating rink almost every week.
I'm just a chill person. I like roller skating, going to the movies.
So then what's your favorite movie? Actor?
V.P.: I like Will Farrell. He's funny.
Celebrity crush?
V.P.: Celebrity crush? I'd say Keri Hilson. She's bad.
What food will you most miss from Nashville?
V.P.: I want to say my mom's pork chops. Her pork chops bust it.
Not her wings or hot chicken from the restaurant she owns?
V.P.: I mean, I eat that like every day. I don't know what she does to her pork chops.
How has the baseball work been going for you? I know you've had a couple trips to the Atlanta-area to work for MLB teams.
V.P.: It went well. (Last week in Atlanta) yeah, that's like the second time for the Rangers. They also came by my school. But the first one in Atlanta was for the Blue Jays.
What do the teams say they like about your baseball skills?
V.P.: My arm-strength, speed and on-base percentage. It's really high. I'll find a way on base, no matter what. It was over .600 (this last year of high school). I think I stole 31 bases.
But you still remain fully committed to playing football and baseball?
V.P.: Yes sir.
What's Butch Jones said to you about playing both sports?
V.P.: He's fine with me playing both at UT, but just kind of like me leaving UT to go play MLB, he doesn't really want me to do that.
And I don't really want to do that. But it's possible for me to play football at UT but not baseball and then I could play for the team I get drafted by. That's possible.
What have scouts said of your draft prospects? (the MLB Draft is next week)
V.P.: Some of them tell me within the first 10 rounds and some of them tell me within the first five or six (rounds).
