Why safety Mark Perry could be TCU’s X-Factor against Colorado
One reason that TCU’s season opening opponent Colorado will start so many younger players in the secondary is because that unit was hit hard by the transfer portal.
One starter ended up at Oregon, another to USC. A third landed at TCU with starting strong safety Mark Perry. Perry had 72 tackles and a team-high three interceptions last season for the Buffaloes.
Perry could be a X-factor for Friday night’s season-opening game.
“It helps, having someone that was there that knows the personnel. Mark’s done a nice job of helping us on our end,” safeties coach Paul Gonzales said. “He’s also helping the offensive staff with the personnel they have on that side of the ball. There’s no secret he was going to give us everything he know about those guys.”
As preseason camp winded down and the focus really shifted to Colorado, Perry’s insight was extremely valuable. It’s one thing to see what Colorado was doing on film, but to have someone that can go in-depth and explain why the play worked or didn’t, there’s not a price you can put on that.
“We talked to Mark a lot. Ever since we started putting on Colorado film we started asking Mark a lot of questions because he’s on every single game film. We just tried to get his perspective and see what they’re going to do against us,” wide receiver Taye Barber said.
There’s no personal animus between Perry and Colorado as the safety simply said he left for a better opportunity. Providing the inside information is all about supporting his current team and not spiting his old one.
“I’m just trying to look out and help as much as I can and get us prepared for that game,” Perry said at the start of fall camp.
Perry was aware that Colorado was going to be on the schedule when he selected TCU, but it wasn’t the primary factor in his decision.
“It’s a great school, I feel like it fit what I was looking for in a new school. Coach Gonzales is obviously really good at developing safeties and could help me get to the next level,” Perry said. “After losing two starting safeties from last year they were obviously looking for leadership and somebody that could come in and help the younger guys.”
Perry has filled that need nicely on the field and with his leadership.
As for facing his old teammates, Perry has experienced a range of emotions thinking about the game.
“It was a plus. Being able to go back up there and open the season I feel like that would be big, not just for me, but for the whole team,” Perry said. “There hasn’t been much trash talk, but we talk all the time . It’s going to be different to walk into that stadium and be on the other sideline and playing against people I lined up with. It’s going to be weird for sure, but I’m looking forward to it.”
This story was originally published September 1, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
