Ohio State's 2015 senior class has a chance to win its 50th game over a four-year period New Year's Day in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame. Before kickoff in their final collegiate game, Eleven Warriors will take a brief look back at each player's time in Columbus.
WHERE HE'S FROM
Joshua Perry, the first member to pledge to Ohio State as part of the 2012 recruiting class, endured a pair of coaching transitions before even suiting up for the Buckeyes. Jim Tressel resigned, Luke Fickell took over for the 2011 season and then Urban Meyer arrived for Perry's freshman campaign a year later.
From nearby Galena, Ohio, Perry is a true senior, having lettered as a freshman by playing extensively on special teams. He entered the program in January 2012 after graduating high school early, dead set on contributing immediately and leaving his mark.
Mission accomplished.
"He's what college football is all about," Meyer said during Ohio State's title run in January. "He has an incredible ability to make someone's day a little brighter, and he takes that very serious. A great young man."
"What time is it? 4:14," Ohio State Vice President and Director of Athletics Gene Smith said multiple times. "I'd hire him at 4:15. That guy is a stud."
TOP MOMENTS
Where to begin?
Perry led Ohio State in tackles during its 2014 national championship run with 124 and is second so far this season, tallying 98 stops through 12 games. He has racked up 7.5 tackles for loss in his career, along with an interception, forced fumble and six quarterback hurries. And oh by the way, he's a Big Ten and national champion.
Those statistics typically fall by the wayside among names like Darron Lee and Raekwon McMillan and even Ryan Shazier in the past. Perry doesn't necessarily make the splash plays like that trio but is a stalwart who takes an intelligent approach to the game.
The transformation of Joshua Perry.
"I think through the Internet I saw a couple pictures of what he looked like, and (it's quite a difference from) what he looks like now," Meyer said in January during Ohio State's Playoff run. "He's got multiple job offers waiting for him for when he's done playing college football. One of those job offers will be in the NFL. That's how much he's improved."
Off the field, Perry is an even better person. He met and befriended Jeremy Chambers and his son Joshua, a leukemia-stricken boy who battled the disease from the time he was 3 years old living in Orlando. Perry's character and pure human quality inspired Joshua—who established the "Be Brave" Foundation to help his fight against cancer—and, if possible, made the Buckeye a better person too.
"I look and I see a 5-year-old who has gone through cancer treatments and everything that comes with that, and he always has a smile on his face and so much energy," Perry told foxports.com. "So why am I allowed to be in a bad mood going out to practice? The other thing is it really inspires you to know how much he cares about us, to see how he feels about being part of a family, and just by being a player at Ohio State that we can do that is a great thing."
That's a glimpse into the man who dons the No. 37 in scarlet and gray Saturday afternoons.
OVERARCHING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRAM
Perry is one of a few players who speaks to the media on a consistent basis, often doing so with a smile and penchant for thoughtful responses.
He graduated Sunday with a degree in Consumer and Family Financial Services, visits Nationwide Children's Hospital regularly and used his platform as a college football player to speak about student-athletes making an impact at Big Ten Media Days this summer.
To put it simply, he's put on a pedestal with the Ohio State football program and with good reason.
"He's what college football is all about," Meyer said. "He has an incredible ability to make someone's day a little brighter, and he takes that very serious. A great young man."
Not to mention, Perry can play football at the next level. But he also understands the importance of everything else in life.
"So it’s important. People take it seriously. People pick something that’s gonna be beneficial," Perry said about the significance of getting a degree. "They say it all the time, football’s not forever, and it’s really. It doesn’t matter how long you play, it’s just something that you probably want to have in hand.”
WHERE HE'S HEADED
Perry has the body (6-foot-4, 254 pounds), brains, and drive to be an NFL player. His size could bode well for him as a standup defensive end at the next level—a different position from what he plays now—but he assuredly will play on Sundays.
"One of only three senior starters for the Buckeyes' defense, Perry won't receive many headlines and won't be as highly drafted as others on his team, but his combination of steady play and coachable attitude will earn him draftable grades around the league," said cbssports.com draft analyst Dane Brugler, who tabs Perry as second-round talent.
However, if Perry struggles with the transition to the professional game, suffers an injury or simply wants to do something else with his life, he certainly has the mind and ability to do so.
Perry was a finalist for the LOTT Impact Trophy, the Senior CLASS Award and interned during the 2015 May school session with M/I Homes and during the 2014 May session with Continental Realty. He also went to Costa Rica this past summer for mission work, is an Ohio State Scholar Athlete and football team captain.
"There’s a lot of stuff and a lot of commitments you make and balance you have to strike and things that you’re committed to but just to be recognized for the things we’re doing on and off the field is obviously something I take pride in," Perry said.
Perry is a class act and leader between the lines and outside of them, coming from a solid family and himself being inspired by his brother Jahred, who is on the autism spectrum.
"Impeccable character, great work ethic, and extremely intelligent," Meyer said. "If he came in and said 'I'm going to go be President of the United States,' I'd say, 'Let's go do it.' I couldn't give him the answer, but I wouldn't bet against Josh Perry."
MORE PERRY
- Try to watch this BTN feature on Perry and his brother Jahred without breaking down
- Joshua Perry Named Finalist for Lott IMPACT Trophy
- Perry, Chase Farris and seven other Buckeyes off to Costa Rica
- Patrick Maks' #longread on Perry meeting Joshua Chambers
