Jax State lands former Alabama lineman, Pike Road star as first commit of Charles Kelly era
The first recruit of the Charles Kelly era at Jacksonville State is one with deep Alabama ties.
Former Virginia Tech and Alabama defensive lineman and Pike Road alumni Khurtiss Perry announced on Thursday that he has committed to Jax State, marking the first commit since Kelly was hired as head coach.
Perry, transferring from Virginia Tech, appeared in one game for the Hokies this season against Stanford and did not log a stat. He transferred to Virginia Tech after two seasons at Alabama, where he played in two games across two seasons.
Pike Road’s Khurtiss Perry celebrates the victory over Pleasant Grove during the AHSAA Super 7 Class 5A championship at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021. (Dennis Victory | [email protected])
The former 4-star recruit starred at Pike Road as a high schooler, where he was ranked as a No. 2 player in the state of Alabama and No. 53 prospect nationally by 247Sports for his recruiting cycle.
As a senior, he helped lead Pike Road to a Class 5A state title, totaling 76 tackles, 22 sacks, 30 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in 2021.
He was named and was named 5A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and earned first-team all-state honors.