NoCal RB stock rising fast

Running back Jordan Perkins (6-0, 180, 4.5) from Lodi, Calif., already has two impressive offers and once the word gets out about his ability don't be surprised to see his offers expand.

Perkins has that burst and explosion that all the good backs have. He used that ability to earn League Offensive Player of the Year, all-state and all-area as a junior after rushing for 1,377 and 14 touchdowns. He's also a threat out of the backfield as he had nine receptions for 285 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He also had an 85 yard kickoff return for a score The talented Perkins also played safety and had two picks.

As a sophomore, Perkins also earned all-state and all-area when he rushed for 1,300 and scored 10 touchdowns. He was able to accomplish that while playing in only six games.

On the recruiting trail Perkins has already picked up two offers from Stanford and UTEP. Both schools are way ahead of the curve on this one.

"UTEP was my first offer and that one was surreal because I wasn't expecting, but the Stanford offer was like a dream," Perkins said. "I thought I was dreaming. I thought it was fake when my mom first showed me it (the offer), so it was pretty cool.

"I will be going to Stanford's junior day in about two weeks," Perkins said. "I will also be going to the NIKE Camp that will be held in Stanford.

"If teams invite me to their camps, I'm going to try and make it out there," Perkins said. "For example, if Boise State asks me to go out there, I'll go out there.

"I told a Washington coach that I will go to their camp," Perkins said. "So I will go there in the summer. The coach told me it is a one-day to one-day and a half camp so I will be attending. I will also be going up there during spring ball.

Was the allure of a Stanford offer hard to resist?

"Yeah and my mom was obviously telling me to say yes and my dad was like 'I know you want to go there, but just hold off," Perkins said. "Everyone who knows about this thing ask 'are you going to take it?' I'm not going to say no to them."

With such an impressive offer as Stanford could Perkins be an early commitment?

"My parents are saying don't rush it, but don't wait it too long because colleges can lose interest," Perkins said. "I'm going to talk to the coach after junior day and see what he thinks.

"I don't want to take too long, but I want to be able to see if there will be other colleges considering me," Perkins said. "As far as time wise, I really don't know, but could possibly be an early commit.

Other schools showing Perkins interest are Washington, Washington State, Boise State, UCLA, Michigan, Vanderbilt, and Northwestern.

What is Perkins looking for in a college?

"The atmosphere has to be good, but academics always have to come first," Perkins said. "That's what my parents have taught me, so the first question I always ask is if they have my major.

"Other than that I would like a good football environment," Perkins said. "Where fans are into the games and the coaching has to be good, and that's pretty much it."

Growing up Perkins liked Michigan for football and Duke for basketball.

Besides football, Perkins also participates in basketball where he plays the point and he will also take part in track for the first time this season. He will run the 100 and the 4x1.

In the weight room, Perkins has a current bench of 260, power cleans 260, squats a very impressive 500-pounds and has recorded a 30-inch vertical.

Perkins is an outstanding student who carries a 3.5 GPA and scored 1500 SAT.