Perry picks Michigan
Birmingham (Mich.) Brother Rice wide receiver Grant Perry had his plans set to attend Northwestern next fall, but a late offer from a home-state school resulted in an 11th hour change.
"I am going to Michigan next year," Perry reported. "Me and my parents sat down and listed out the pros and cons, really thought it through. We just saw Michigan as a better fit for me in the future."
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Committing to Michigan meant that Perry had to rescind the commitment he made to Northwestern two months ago.
"It was a real hard call I made to Coach Fitz (Pat Fitzgerald," Perry said. "He is a real great guy and I have nothing but respect for that program and what they are doing. I just want to say 'thank you,' for the opportunity they gave me."
The interest from Michigan had been starting to pick up over the last week. On Sunday the Wolverines extended Perry an offer, giving him the opportunity to join his Brother Rice teammates Alex Malzone and Jack Dunaway, who are already pledged to Michigan's 2015 class.
"It was real huge," Perry said of the offer. "They said, 'we can't let you leave and go somewhere else in the Big Ten.' He said that the best players in Michigan play for Michigan and they sold it to me.
"Growing up watching them, it definitely made me want to be (a Wolverine). I set that as a goal my freshman year and it feels good to be able to achieve that. I grew up watching the Jason Avants and Braylon Edwards and Jeremy Gallons.
"I like the fact that I can stay home and let my extended family come see me play. Also to play with my other teammates is really good. We have the connections going in and the chemistry between me and Alex is going to continue and that will be huge."
Perry's stock rose after a senior season in which he caught 105 passes for 1,727 yards and 21 touchdowns. Michigan sees the 6-foot, 183-pound receiver filling a position of need on their 2015 roster.
"They said they see me at the Z position. Z is more of a slot, I think what Dennis Norfleet is playing. They said they don't have many Z guys and need more to fill that."
Perry is ranked as the No. 80 receiver in the 2015 class and the No. 12 prospect in the state of Michigan. He is commitment No. 10 for the Wolverines, and the fourth addition since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach.