Virginia Tech got more help on its defensive line Tuesday when Alabama transfer Khurtiss Perry committed to the Hokies.
The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Perry, who visited Virginia Tech last week and had drawn heavy interest from Wisconsin and Louisville, announced his decision on social media.
https://twitter.com/KhurtissPerry/status/1790530382858686845
Perry is from Pike Road, Alabama, and spent two years with the Crimson Tide, redshirting in 2022 before getting action in one game in 2023. He has a pedigree, however, listed as the No. 65 player nationally and No. 11 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite rankings as a high school recruit in the 2022 class. A four-star recruit who had 76 tackles, including 22 sacks, as a senior, he picked Alabama over Auburn, Clemson and Texas.
He has versatility up front, someone who could play end but ultimately will probably end up inside as a three-technique with the Hokies. Though defensive tackle isn't a big concern in 2024, with Tech having added three transfers in Aeneas Peebles, Kemari Copeland and Kelvin Gilliam over the winter, the Hokies lose three seniors from the group after this season: Peebles, Josh Fuga and Wilfried Pene.
Perry has three years of eligibility remaining.
"He reminds me of a kid we had at Penn State named Kevin Givens, who’s still playing for the 49ers," Hokies coach Brent Pry said from the ACC's spring meetings in Amelia Island, Florida. "[He's] 6-2, 285, but explosive. This kid’s Alabama high school film is impressive. And I think [Perry] weighed like 268 when he came to our place. Maybe 270. So I think he’ll be plenty big enough."
Perry's commitment puts Virginia Tech at 84 scholarships, with one to play with ahead of the 2024 season. Pry said the Hokies have looked at several defensive backs, searching for a hybrid type of player like Derrick Canteen last year.