Malcolm Perry – April 25, 2020
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Saturday, April 25, 2020
RB Malcolm Perry
(It looks like you might have the ability to play running back, wide receiver and quarterback. What have you heard about where you project on the Dolphins team?) – “I haven’t heard much. I’m just going in with an open mind, positive attitude and ready to play wherever they choose to throw me first.”
(What did they have you do at the Combine?) – “I played wide receiver at the combine. That was my main position. That’s what I’ve been training for the whole time, but the willingness and I think I have the ability to go other places if need be.”
(I believe you’re the eighth Navy player to be drafted and obviously the Department of Defense policy changed things for you to be able to play right away. What does that mean to you – the ability to play right away and how the service academy is providing that for you?) – “It means a lot. It means the world. As a kid growing up, this is a dream come true for sure, so just choosing that route and then everything unfolding in a very fortunate sequence for me with the rule being changed. It means a lot because I know a lot of guys that I played with in the past who didn’t get the opportunity, but definitely had the talent. It means a lot to be in this position and I’m very fortunate.”
(I wanted to ask you about attending the Naval Academy – why you attended there. Were there other choices for you and if I’m not mistaken, at least years ago, you had to get a politician, a senator or a representative to write a letter. How did that process go for you as well?) – “I didn’t have a lot of offers coming out of high school. I had the three service academies which were probably my best offers, so I kind of narrowed it down to those three and chose Navy after a good visit. It’s a pretty strenuous process to get into any one of the academies. You have to get several senators’ signatures and recommendations, and it’s a pretty long process. I ended up having to go to a prep school as well, so I spent a year there before I actually got on campus; but I enjoyed my time there for sure.”
(I wanted to ask, what’s probably the most exciting thing about having the ball in your hands as a playmaker?) – “Just the ability to help my team get some yards and hopefully get a touchdown. That’s the goal every time I touch the ball, so just giving the ability to help the team out and hopefully I’ll be able to do that.”
(I think you touched on this a bit before, but how is important is it for you to show the world the level of athletics there are in service academies and if you can make a mark on the NFL do you think it might change some opinions on the level of football at those colleges?) – “I don’t like to think about it a lot. I think me and my teammates just like to go out and play football, but moving on to the next level, just keeping that same attitude: just work hard, do whatever I can to help the team and get the ball rolling there.”
(I’m wondering when you started to think the NFL was a realistic option for you and I’m not trying to be negative here at all, but if you don’t make it in the NFL, would you stay in the service or have you even thought about a military career? What would happen there?) – “I’d say when I first starting thinking the NFL was a possibility was somewhere in my senior season – midseason. I kind of felt like I had the ability to do it, was having a good year and might get the shot; but if the NFL doesn’t work out, I’ll be a Marine Corps officer. I service the Marine Corps Ground. If the NFL wasn’t in the mix, I would be going to TBS (The Basic School) for six months and then getting my MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and getting my specific job in the Marine Corps, and I’d be an officer in the Marine Corps. After the NFL career, whatever it is, I still owe two years of active duty of service, so that’s still something that I have to do.”
(Why receiver? Why is that the ideal position in mind for you to have success?) – “Going into it, I think my skills kind of translate to that position pretty well. And it was where I was most uncomfortable as a player. I felt pretty natural at running back, if I needed to make that transition. I just wanted to be as good as I could at my weakest position transition that I thought. So, that’s what I’ve been training for, that’s what I was projected to play at the next level; but obviously, like I said, I’m open to anything. I just wanted to practice there and felt like my skills translated there the best.”
(Patriots Coach Bill Belichick has a lot of respect for the service academies. I’m just wondering which teams spent the most time with you, which coaches, which front offices? What were some teams you thought might be in one you?) – “The Patriots were definitely probably at the top. There’s a big tie with Navy and Coach Belichick. (I) talked to him quite a few times. They probably showed the most interest.”
(Quite often special teams help guys who are drafted on the third day. How much experience do you have and do you think if you don’t have much, could you learn it fairly quickly do you think?) – “I have a year or two with special teams experience. I did some kickoff returns at Navy, practiced punt return, never got to get it done in a game. I feel like that’s definitely going to be a big role for me, somewhere I’m going to have to shine to make it in this league. It’s definitely something I’ve been practicing and definitely need time to get better and get that ball rolling in that department.”
(Is there a history of service in your family? Is there a reason you were drawn to the armed forces?) – “Yes, sir. Both of my parents were in the Army. They both retired after 20-plus years of service. My grandpa was also an Army veteran, so there’s a lot of Army presence in my family, even in the town that I live in.”
(How was that conversation when you told them you were going to Annapolis?) – “It went pretty smooth. Not much problems there. Both of my parents and my family were pretty supportive. The only person that stills has a problem with that is probably my father. He tends to root for Army a little more than I’d like in some cases. (laughter)”
(I know that at the Naval Academy the academics are difficult and there’s a lot of challenges with managing time. Is there anything else you would tell someone who’s never been through, done that experience that is sort of unique or helps prepare you for any situation?) – “I’d say just handling the lack of time to do all the things you’re asked to do. Time management, I think that’s the biggest thing coming out of the Academy that down with the countless military obligations I have, playing football and then the academics and being able to mull that into one and be efficient at it. I’d say, coming out of the Academy, definitely being efficient with your time.”
