Gene Cathcart describes Jordan Perry as “that Swiss Army knife kind of guy.”
What he means by that is the Jefferson senior running back and defender is a very versatile player.
Perry rushed for 434 yards last season and led the team in receiving yards (208). He also added another 37 tackles on defense playing mainly linebacker.
But his versatility and presence on the field may go unnoticed to some outside of the program.
“It’s not just in his rushing yards or his receiving yards – because he led the team in receiving last year – but he’s one of our finest blockers on the perimeter,” Cathcart said. “He takes a lot of pride in blocking for his teammates. And defensively, he has had some big interceptions, big pass breakups and he’s a pass-rushing machine.”
Several Division I programs have started to notice what Perry has accomplished over his career at Jefferson. Kansas State, Eastern Michigan, Georgia State, Miami of Ohio and Middle Tennessee State all have offered the 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete.
“It’s been stressful and fun, traveling all over the country,” Perry said about the recruiting process. "I haven’t decided anywhere yet, but it’s been fun.”
Perry hopes to make the call in a couple of months.
Regardless of his decision, he’s excited to get his final season underway at Jefferson. They’ll do that on Friday when Class 2A No. 1-ranked Rabun County rolls into Memorial Stadium in Jefferson. You can listen to the game live on FM 102.9 WDUN. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Perry is part of a backfield that combined for 3,700 yards last season – all are back with the addition of Commerce transfer Sammy Brown.
Oh, and Georgia-commit, one of Perry’s best friends, Malaki Starks, is back as well but you knew that already.
“I super excited … more excited than I’ve been the last couple years,” Perry said about the offense. “I feel like we’re really good this year, especially with Sammy added in at fullback with Me and Malaki. We’re going to be pretty good in the backfield, so I’m definitely excited.”
He’s also part of a defense that gave up an average of 12 points a game last season and made an appearance in the Class 4A title game at Georgia State. The Dragons let the game get away from them in the second half, losing to Marist, 30-14.
That game is etched in the back of Perry’s mind, and he has used that as fuel to hone his skills and help lead the Dragons back in December.
“Coming into the summer, we always reminded ourselves [about that game],” he said. “We have kept it in the back of our heads. We want to be back there and win it this time.”
His work ethic and his leadership on the field are what Cathcart kept circling back to earlier this week.
Cathcart said Perry is a lunch pail type of guy.
“He’s the type of kid that shows up every day wanting to be a team leader,” he said. “He shows up every night with his lunch pail and says, hey coach whatever you need me to do tonight. You need me to get 100 [yards] tonight, I’ll do it. If you need some big catches, some third-down conversions, I’ll make those … need a big play on defense, I’ll get you a pick. I mean, just to know that he’s gonna show up every night and make a difference for the Dragons in a positive way, in some part of the game, is huge for us.”
