Big Ten leader for Perkins
Paul Perkins was offered by Northwestern a couple weeks ago and the Wildcats immediately moved to the top of his list.
The Chandler, Ariz., athlete doesn't plan to take any official visits until after his senior season so it could be a while until he makes his commitment but at this point Northwestern is in good shape.
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"I really like Northwestern," Perkins said. "It's close to my dad's home (in Iowa), it's Big Ten football and it has great academics. I really like it there.
"I talked to the running backs coach (Matt MacPherson) the other day and he's pretty cool. He's a really good guy."
Colorado, Air Force, Wyoming, New Mexico and Montana have also offered the 5-foot-10, 180-pound prospect who scored the first three times he touched the ball last weekend against Gilbert, Ariz.
Even though it's getting to the later stages of his senior season, Perkins said he isn't sure about official visits yet but that a trip to Northwestern will probably happen once Chandler is done playing.
Waiting to see some college campuses - and making his pledge - isn't hard, Perkins said, because he's solely focused on his team at this point in the season.
"It's easy because I'm playing football," Perkins said. "I'm focused on football and winning the state."
Even though Northwestern is the clear-cut leader for Perkins, he said his mother would prefer he stay closer to home.
Whether she gets her wish is still undetermined but it might play an influence in his decision-making process down the road.
"My mom wants me to stay closer so it's going to be hard," he said.