Bright Futures ahead: On the recruiting trail with the Perry Panthers

PERRY, Ga. — The Perry Panthers had a historic football season in 2021. The Panther gridiron advanced to the state 4A Elite-Eight and also won the region title.

After completing a great spring of practices, the Panthers hosted Thomas County Central in a spring exhibition game. Perry showed improvements in areas many thought would be a problem, but they have lost key members on both sides of the ball.

Armar Gordon, Dakarai Anderson, Camerin Marshall and Jalen Davis are among the returning Panthers in 2022. Gordon and Anderson had breakout seasons on the offensive side of the ball last season. After attending a camp at Mercer University, Armar Gordon, Jr. received his first collegiate scholarship offer from a prestigious Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Morehouse University.

On June 1, Coach Raw and the Maroon Tigers from “The House” offered Perry’s quarterback his first of many scholarship offers.

“From a great talk with Coach Raw I am blessed to receive my first offer from Morehouse University,” Gordon said.

In his junior campaign, Armar Gordon Jr. threw for over 2,990 yards and scored 32 total touchdowns.

A major key to Armar Gordon’s success was his second leading receiver, Dakarai Anderson. After losing Dae’Quan Wright and others to graduation, Perry’s receiving core will have younger athletes in the rotation. Rising junior slot receiver and athlete, Dakarai Anderson had a stellar sophomore season as well. With 51 receptions for 801 yards and 8 touchdowns, Anderson was a region 4-4A All-Region selection.

While maintaining a 3.5 GPA, Dakarai Anderson was awarded GHSA class 4A All-State honorable mention. Dakarai Anderson runs a sub 4.4-second laser 40-yard dash and is a member of the Panther relay team. Anderson currently hosts a time of 10.6 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Currently, Texas A&M and Georgia Southern have provided offers to Dakarai Anderson — both of which were offered to him this year.

In late January, Georgia State and Georgia Southern awarded Camerin Marshall with an opportunity to compete at the D-1 level. In early February, Buffalo and Virginia Tech officially offered Camerin Marshall a collegiate football scholarship as well. Selected as first team All-Region and first team All-State, Marshall recorded 145 total tackles in 2020.

The latest in Perry recruiting news includes Jalen Davis. Davis is a 6’1”, 265-pound offensive and defensive lineman. The rising senior maintains a 3.7 GPA and has received collegiate offers from Tennessee Valley Prep and prestigious HBCU Morehouse.

Media worthiness and name-likeness has grown with the newly implemented NIL rules in college football. Having the attraction of companies and business moguls allow collegiate athletes to monetize from their name within the NCAA. Why are these NIL rules important?

Growing an audience while they are younger, this gives athletes more of an advantage when they enter college. It becomes easier for many athletes to cut out distractions and to focus on just academics and athletics.

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