Alabama DL Transfer Khurtiss Perry Commits to Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech picked up their second commitment of the spring transfer portal window this evening as Alabama DL transfer Khurtiss Perry announced his commitment to the Hokies.

Perry chose the Hokies over a litany of offers and interest including Indiana (who offered him and had visited), Louisville (who reportedly hosted him on a visit), Wisconsin (who reportedly were set to host him on a visit soon), Houston (offer), California (offer), Tulane (offer), Colorado State (offer) and more. He is the second spring transfer portal window addition for the Hokies along with UCLA QB Collin Schlee.

He has three years of eligibility remaining after spending two seasons at Alabama including a redshirt year in 2022.

Coming out of high school, all four major recruiting services had the 6'2'', 265-pound Perry as a top 110 recruit nationally. His senior season high school production was also impressive with 96 tackles including 23 sacks plus 35 QB hurries, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and four pass breakups according to MaxPreps.

However, Perry struggled in Tuscaloosa only playing two special teams during his two seasons with the Crimson Tide and finding himself fairly far down the depth chart, leading to his decision to enter the transfer portal.

There's no doubt that Perry has tons of potential given what he showed in high school and the impressive recruiting pedigree. The fact that several Power 4 schools were interested in him, especially with that pool being limited due to SEC transfers not being able to transfer within the conference during the spring window, says a lot about what Power 4 coaches think of his talent and potential.

Still, there's also plenty of risk with Perry. There's no doubt that Alabama recruits at an absurdly high level and the competition for playing time is intense. However, when you only play two snaps on special teams in two seasons, that raises some questions as to whether you are at a Power 4 level or not.

Perry likely will be a defensive tackle for the Hokies and would appear to fit a mold similar to Pheldarius Payne. Like Perry, Payne spent most of his career working on the edge before sliding inside and finding great success at DT.

Tech is in a position where they can give him some time to develop especially with an All-ACC transfer in Aeneas Peebles and a veteran starter in Josh Fuga leading the DT group. They also have JUCO standout Kemari Copeland and Oklahoma transfer Kelvin Gilliam Jr ready to go as the backups who could also push Fuga for the second starting job. Tech also has veteran backup Wilfried Pene as a decent fifth option at DT.

Perry also gives the Hokies more youth at a position where the younger half of the room had started to be hollowed out, especially after both Gunner Givens and Lemar Law Jr moved to the offensive line this spring.

This is an impressive recruiting victory for Virginia Tech. To land his commitment after he had scheduled a visit to Wisconsin, as reported by BadgerNotes.com, is quite the move by the Hokies. Add in that you have a Louisville program known for big success in the portal and an Indiana program that has a former Nick Saban assistant in Curt Cignetti leading the program, and this is another solid portal recruiting victory for the Hokies.

Khurtiss Perry struggled at Alabama and the floor is probably quite low, but the upside is massive given the promise he showed in high school. Now we'll see whether Virginia Tech can help Perry reach his full potential on the defensive line or not.