Defensive tackle Dalyn Wade-Perry visited Rutgers for junior day and he will be at Penn State on Feb. 27, and is also looking at a few trips further from home.
The visits are just beginning for defensive tackle Dalyn Wade-Perry, and the distance of them will increase as the months move on.
The Sparta (N.J) Pope John XXIII standout was at Rutgers' junior day Saturday, will be at Penn State on Feb. 27, is tenatively set to visit Notre Dame on March 16 and is planning a west coast trip to see Stanford and UCLA.
"I don't have any leaders," Wade-Perry said. "I will probably have a top five in the summer."
Wade-Perry's first stop was a familiar one, but there was plenty of newness to it. He was offered by the former Rutgers staff, but the new staff is showing a lot of interest.
"They are definitely a serious group of guys," Wade-Perry said. "You could tell there was a change in attitude. I got to meet the new staff and talk to them, and it just felt regular when I got there. It was cool."
Because of the volume of players on campus, the day was not designed for one-on-one meetings, but Wade-Perry did get a chance to speak with coach Chris Ash.
"During lunch, coach Ash came by," Wade-Perry said. "He was there with me and he said he was really interested in me. We chatted for a little bit and that is what he told me."
Next up is the trip to Penn State, another place Wade-Perry knows well.
"I've been there a few times already, and I like it there," he said. "It will be just feeling out the place more (on the next trip). I'm just trying to get to know it better each time I go."
Wade-Perry's recruiter, assistant Ricky Rahne, stays in consistent contact, and coach James Franklin also is making an impression.
"They don't call it Happy Valley for no reason," Wade-Perry said. "Each time I went there, I enjoyed myself. The coaches have been good to me. With the atmosphere and the people, it's definitely a place you like to be."
Meanwhile, Wade-Perry's trip to Notre Dame will have added importance. He was uncertain whether or not the Irish extended an offer, but it was cleared up during a Thursday conversation with the coaching staff.
"I spoke to the ND coaches (Thursday). The offer is official," Wade-Perry said.
The return journey to South Bend will give Wade-Perry a chance to learn more about the coaching staff and the day-to-day life of a player. However, he already has great memories from his last visit.
"They are high on tradition," he said. "I think about the academics. I think about the people. When I went there, it was great. The people are awesome. The fans were crazy."
And ...there is the campus.
"I will never forget before the game we went to the Golden Dome in the middle of campus, and it was beautiful," Wade-Perry said. "The grotto, the chapel ...it's beautiful."
Later in the spring or in the summer, Wade-Perry plans to venture to a few new schools, and UCLA and Stanford top his wish list.
"I don't know too much about UCLA, actually," he said. "I know it is in a nice area, it's a good school, and there is a rich tradition of football and basketball."
Wade-Perry's contact is defensive line coach Angus McClure, and the two are establishing a strong bond.
"He just gives me facts," Wade-Perry said. "He keeps it real with you and tells you what you need to know about the place. He says, 'I'm not going to lie to you. I'm not going to try and blow things up or sugar coat things.' He's a straightforward guy."
Meanwhile, Stanford showed its interest by stopping by Pope John XXIII a few times in January while it was in the area recruiting Paramus (N.J.) Catholic receiver Donald Stewart.
"I think of the academics and the location," Wade-Perry said of Stanford. "Everybody tells me its the most beautiful campus they've ever been to, so I will probably see for myself. (Assistant) coach (Peter) Hansen came around a few times and I've been in contact with the rest of their coaches through twitter and through phone calls."
