By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger
Demonstrative kicker gives Tigers offensive weapon with his foot
There is absolutely no question when Jackson State's Eric Perri is ready to kick a field goal.
Moments before the snap, holder Jimmy Oliver will look back at his kicker and wait for the signal.
That's when Perri gives an exaggerated 'thumbs up' that looks a bit cheesy from the sidelines. Even people in the upper deck at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium can probably see the gesture.
But more often than not, it works, as Perri nails the field goal and JSU notches another three points.
"It's just something that helps keep me loose," Perri said. "The idea is to be as relaxed as possible on the field. That's when I do my best kicking."
Since age 10, Perri has been a superstitious, sticking with the same routine since booting footballs around the pee wee field in his hometown of Miami.
First he takes his left arm and lines up the path for the field goal. Then he backs into position and shakes the nervousness out of his arms.
But the 'thumbs up' is a recent addition. That didn't start until he got to Jackson State and something got lost in translation.
"I used to just do a head nod, but sometimes Jimmy said he couldn't tell if I was ready," Perri said. "I figure that there's no question when I give a thumbs up."
And there's also no question that if Perri continues to improve, he'll leave JSU in three years as the most accomplished kicker in school history.
As a freshman, Perri was 6-for-8 on field goals and 19-of-23 on extra points. Most of the misses came early in the season, when he was adjusting to kicking the ball higher to get it above a college defensive line.
He already has a share of the record for Jackson State's longest field goal, booting a 45-yarder against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the eighth game of his career.
He's got much more potential: In the spring game, he drilled a 52-yarder at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"I feel extremely comfortable with Eric kicking the ball anywhere up to about 50 yards," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "Anything farther than that and it would have to be the right situation. But we know we've got a weapon with Eric."
Still only a sophomore, Perri has the experience of a veteran.
His highest moment last year came against Southern U., when a 19-yard field goal in double overtime gave the Tigers a 31-28 victory front of 40,000-plus fans.
The lowest was on the final play of the season, when a 40-yard game-winning field goal attempt was blocked by Alcorn State as time expired. Jackson State lost 32-31.
"I won't lie, that was a really tough night," Perri said. "I felt like I'd let the team and the city down. But after a few days, I got over it and got back on the field. That's when I started to feel better."
Even though he's easily the smallest player on the roster at 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, Perri is also one of the most dedicated in the weight room.
He said the recent death of his 81-year-old grandfather, William Perri, has given him added incentive this season.
"My grandpa was one of my biggest supporters and we were really close," Eric Perri said. "I worked hard before he died, but now I'm trying to do even more."
He often works out with the offensive lineman, doing leg press es and lunges with guys literally twice his weight.
"I like to be challenged and those are the biggest guys on the team," Perri said.
And so far that extra work has paid off during training camp as Perri has been nearly perfect with his leg.
He was 7-for-7 in a recent scrimmage, including a pair of kicks from about 45 yards.
Perri is always one of the first on the field and one of the last to leave - a borderline fanatical approach that doesn't go un-noticed.
"Everybody respects how hard he works and how much he cares," Oliver said. "We've all got confidence he's going to make those field goals every single time. He's earned it."
Demonstrative kicker gives Tigers offensive weapon with his foot
There is absolutely no question when Jackson State's Eric Perri is ready to kick a field goal.
Moments before the snap, holder Jimmy Oliver will look back at his kicker and wait for the signal.
That's when Perri gives an exaggerated 'thumbs up' that looks a bit cheesy from the sidelines. Even people in the upper deck at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium can probably see the gesture.
But more often than not, it works, as Perri nails the field goal and JSU notches another three points.
"It's just something that helps keep me loose," Perri said. "The idea is to be as relaxed as possible on the field. That's when I do my best kicking."
Since age 10, Perri has been a superstitious, sticking with the same routine since booting footballs around the pee wee field in his hometown of Miami.
First he takes his left arm and lines up the path for the field goal. Then he backs into position and shakes the nervousness out of his arms.
But the 'thumbs up' is a recent addition. That didn't start until he got to Jackson State and something got lost in translation.
"I used to just do a head nod, but sometimes Jimmy said he couldn't tell if I was ready," Perri said. "I figure that there's no question when I give a thumbs up."
And there's also no question that if Perri continues to improve, he'll leave JSU in three years as the most accomplished kicker in school history.
As a freshman, Perri was 6-for-8 on field goals and 19-of-23 on extra points. Most of the misses came early in the season, when he was adjusting to kicking the ball higher to get it above a college defensive line.
He already has a share of the record for Jackson State's longest field goal, booting a 45-yarder against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the eighth game of his career.
He's got much more potential: In the spring game, he drilled a 52-yarder at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"I feel extremely comfortable with Eric kicking the ball anywhere up to about 50 yards," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "Anything farther than that and it would have to be the right situation. But we know we've got a weapon with Eric."
Still only a sophomore, Perri has the experience of a veteran.
His highest moment last year came against Southern U., when a 19-yard field goal in double overtime gave the Tigers a 31-28 victory front of 40,000-plus fans.
The lowest was on the final play of the season, when a 40-yard game-winning field goal attempt was blocked by Alcorn State as time expired. Jackson State lost 32-31.
"I won't lie, that was a really tough night," Perri said. "I felt like I'd let the team and the city down. But after a few days, I got over it and got back on the field. That's when I started to feel better."
Even though he's easily the smallest player on the roster at 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, Perri is also one of the most dedicated in the weight room.
He said the recent death of his 81-year-old grandfather, William Perri, has given him added incentive this season.
"My grandpa was one of my biggest supporters and we were really close," Eric Perri said. "I worked hard before he died, but now I'm trying to do even more."
He often works out with the offensive lineman, doing leg press es and lunges with guys literally twice his weight.
"I like to be challenged and those are the biggest guys on the team," Perri said.
And so far that extra work has paid off during training camp as Perri has been nearly perfect with his leg.
He was 7-for-7 in a recent scrimmage, including a pair of kicks from about 45 yards.
Perri is always one of the first on the field and one of the last to leave - a borderline fanatical approach that doesn't go un-noticed.
"Everybody respects how hard he works and how much he cares," Oliver said. "We've all got confidence he's going to make those field goals every single time. He's earned it."
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