Vols Offer 'Meant a Lot' to Blue-Chip Texas Linebacker

The Tennessee Vols have gone back into Texas to offer a rising junior.

Harold Perkins, a 2022 linebacker, is preparing for his junior year at Cy Park High School in Cypress, Texas.

Perkins' recruitment has already sparked as he holds over 15 offers from multiple Power 5 conferences. It is not hard to see why the early attention has been evident. Perkins stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 202-pounds.

 It appears the overall recruitment process has been good for Perkins, but most guys have had to adapt during recent times.

 "The overall process is going great right now. I've been sitting back and enjoying it all.", says Perkins. There have even been a few schools making effort to leap ahead.

 Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida are who the linebacker prospect is hearing from most at the moment.

Perkins has a strong desire to be the best. If it were possible, the young prospect would want to hear from every school. There were a few schools that were mentioned specifically.

 Florida State, Texas Tech, Miami, Clemson, Ohio State, and Michigan are the schools the Texas native wouldn't mind hearing from.

 Covid-19 still showing its ugly face and still altering what is usual to most has impacted many people. Harold Perkins is no different, and this is what he had to say about what he missed most about this off-season.

 "Being able to play 7v7 with my brothers Jaiden Robertson and Donovan Green. I was excited to travel with them and the rest of our Houston Storm team, win a lot of games, and see a ton of schools. Just making memories with my boys."

 It isn't always easy for these young men as their process starts and they start seeing how these coaches like them and notice them. This rising junior with double-digit offers is no different.

 "It is cool. I don't think it has hit me yet. People are starting to notice me when I go out to places, but my coach, Coach Herb helps keep me grounded. We are like the same person. He always reminds me to stay focused on the main goal, which is being the best I can be with or without football."

Perkins is a good looking physical specimen as an underclassman, however, you have to pass more than just the vitals and eye test. Perkins elaborated on what he felt were some of his strong points.

 "I think one of my biggest strengths is that I'm just a football player. Most people see outside backers as just downhill hitters, but I'm built to do it all. I'm faster, bigger, and smarter than most. I can cover wide receivers or destroy linemen, it doesn't matter to me. I understand football from the X's and O's standpoint."

 On June 29th, Tennessee offered the Texas back by way of Coach Felton. The offer carried some weight with Perkins.

 "It meant a lot because you don't see many people get that Tennessee offer. At least it's not common in Texas. You had to have really caught someone's eye there to receive that offer. I'm happy that I did enough for them to like me."

 Coach Felton extended the offer, and with that came a little feedback to the young prospect. Felton liked the film of Perkins and mentioned how he could be a big-time player for the Vols. Perkins stated that he did like Felton as well as Coach Numi (Lolohea).

 Tennessee has gone after its fair share of linebackers over the last few classes. It is something that Perkins has noticed, but it isn't going to be the deciding factor for Perkins.

 "Yeah, that is definitely something I look, at but I'm more interested in what the school, fans, and community have to offer. I'm going to be the best linebacker I can be regardless of who lines up across or next to me. I want to have a college experience that sets me up for the future with or without football."

Perkins does have plans to see the facilities as soon as he can. Virtual tours have been a hot topic recently.

 "Yes, definitely. I'm looking to set up a virtual tour as soon as possible. My coach has been telling me about Tennessee's facilities since before I even got the offer, so I'm interested to see what they got. When it's possible to make a visit again, Tennessee is definitely on the list."