2024 OT Jesse Perry commits to Tennessee Volunteers
A lifelong Tennessee fan, Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Middle Tennessee Christian three-star offensive tackle Jesse Perry always had dreams of wearing the Vols uniform and playing at Neyland Stadium. That dream is much more of a reality now.
Perry, the No. 885 player in the nation according to the On3 Industry Ranking, announced his commitment to Tennessee Friday afternoon.
“Everything Tennessee has, it didn’t seem like any other school could beat,” Perry told On3. “The facilities, the coaching staff, the degree I want to pursue, it’s all there. The city of Knoxville is perfect and I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else.”
The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder took his first visit to Tennessee as a recruit on Oct. 22 and was back on campus Jan. 14 for Tennessee’s Junior Day. He walked away from both visits without an offer but finally picked up an offer from Josh Heupel and co. on Feb. 10.
Perry wouldn’t visit Knoxville again until March 25. Prior to that visit he visited Vanderbilt and Missouri and after that he visited North Carolina and Duke, but none of those schools stood out to him quite like Tennessee.
“I was very close to committing following my last visit there,” Perry said. “I went on a couple of others visits to places I was interested in but none of them were as good as Tennessee. Whatever visits I planned on taking after those, I didn’t feel like they were going to be better than Tennessee so I decided to commit.
“It feels great to have this decision out of the way not because I don’t have to worry about recruiting. If I want to go on a recruiting visit now, I’ll just head home to Tennessee.”
Perry’s commitment another recruiting win for Tennessee
Tennessee got ahead with its 2024 class early in 2022. Last July the Volunteers picked up commitments from four-star tight end Jonathan Echols and three-star defensive lineman Carson Gentle.
Four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley committed to Tennessee in October but business around the Vols 2024 class slowed down for several months. That slow down lasted until February when three-star Marcus Goree and four-star wide receiver JJ Harrell committed to the Vols nine days apart.
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Perry’s commitment was the second of the spring for Tennessee. Coveted top-70 quarterback Jake Merklinger committed to Tennessee a week before Perry.
With their recent run of commitments, Tennessee’s built the No. 6 class in the country and the No. 4 class in the SEC.
“Knowing that Coach Heupel wants me to be a part of what they’re building in Knoxville means a lot to me,” Perry said. “It feels great having a home for the next 3-5 years and that I’ll be able to enjoy with such a great program.”