LOOK: Five-star Harold Perkins visited by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian
Cypress (Texas) Cy Park linebacker Harold Perkins is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2022 class, and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian paid him a visit Thursday night.
Perkins, the No. 7 overall player in the industry-generated On3 Consensus rankings, is the one of two top-10 prospects — joining wideout Evan Stewart — that the Longhorns have their sights set on.
They weren’t the only ones looking to show face, though. Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher and linebackers coach Tyler Santucci were spotted on the sidelines, as was LSU assistant Blake Baker.
Among the bevy of offers he holds, LSU, Texas and Texas A&M are considered the major players in his recruitment. He visited the Aggies last weekend and took an official visit to Texas over the summer. And despite playing in Texas, Perkins is actually a native of New Orleans and grew up watching the LSU program.
He was originally scheduled to visit to Oregon this weekend, but that ultimately didn’t materialize, sources told On3’s Jeremy Crabtree. A trip to Eugene could still happen later this season. Instead, he’ll visit Michigan State, which just offered him this week.
Harold Perkins wants to play in the SEC
The reported trip to Michigan State is a big surprise for Perkins, who told On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons this summer that he wants to play in the SEC. While the Longhorns are currently in the Big 12, they’re expected to join the SEC by 2023 or 2024.
“I am only going to an SEC school,” Perkins said. “That is where the dogs are at. That is where the best play. I am a dog and that is where dogs go.”
According to On3’s expert panel of predictions, which school he ends up at is still too close to call. As the in-state schools, both Texas A&M and Texas have made him a huge priority. The Aggies’ big upset win over then-No. 1 Alabama surely didn’t hurt. But LSU remains a wild card. With head coach Ed Orgeron now out after this season, who the Tigers end up hiring could have a major impact in this race. Now with the visit to Michigan State on tap, the Spartans would seem to have at least a puncher’s chance.
As a junior last season, Harold Perkins wreaked havoc on both sides of the ball for Cy Park. He totaled 47 tackles, including 14.5 for loss, as well as three forced fumbles. On offense, where he’s Cy Park’s primary running back, he notched 983 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 96 carries. Earlier this month, he showed off the athleticism that has made him such a prize in this recruiting cycle.