Perry pushes back decision

Armand Perry got a little overeager. He doesn't dispute that. He visited both of his finalists (Arizona State and California) and felt like he was ready to pick a school. He announced a decision date last week. But when the time came, the Las Vegas Bishop Gorman defensive back had nothing.

This is, after all, a big decision. So Perry is playing things safe. He's decided to wait.

"I'm just stepping back and looking at everything before I make the decision," Perry said on Wednesday. "I just need to take more time and look at both programs before I make a decision."

Perry still intends to make his choice before the start of his senior season. For now, though, he's still evaluating. He says he really doesn't have an idea which school he will choose. He isn't leaning one way or another. At the same time, he doesn't mind breaking down the perks of both the Golden Bears and Sun Devils.

"With Arizona State, I like how the coaches came in and turned the program around. I like that the defense is at the top of the Pac 12. I like the attacking style of defense. They one me to come in and play. I think people kind of sleep on their academics, too. They have a top business school. That really stood out to me. The have the No. 1 academic advisor in the nation. I just got a real good feel when I was out there on my visit."

Perry admits that there are some things that Cal offers that Arizona state cannot. He also says the inverse is true. When he speaks, it becomes clear while his impending decision has hit a bit of a snap. Perry isn't prolonging things for the sake of drama. This is a portrait of a player truly torn between two options.

"The good things about Cal are the academics. Those academics are off the charts. They want me to come in and play corner. They have fantastic coaches. I feel like if I go there, they can get me to my full potential. They want me at corner or nickel at Cal. At Arizona State, they want me to come in and play the bandit safety position. But they also said I could play corner as well. Really, though, it doesn't matter to me. I just want to be able to get on the field and help the team win."

Perry says he has alerted the coaches at both schools that he will be taking more time to make his final decision, which he expects will come in the next week or so.

A three-star prospect, Perry is the No. 8 overall prospect in the state of Nevada. He claims 5 total scholarship offers. He racked up 54 total tackles and an interception as a junior at Bishop Gorman.