E.J. Perry looking to end Ivy League quarterback draft lull
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (BVM) – After spending the majority of his first two seasons at Boston College backing up Eagles’ starters, sophomore quarterback E.J. Perry knew it was time for a change. After mulling a handful of college programs throughout the summer, Perry would decide his next landing spot would include a familiar face.
James Perry, the newest Brown University hire, was set to kick off his first season in 2019 as the Bears’ head coach. Taking over a 1-8 football team, James was looking for someone to help change the look of the Brown program. With his nephew now in the transfer portal, the fit between the two sides seemed to work out perfectly.
After playing for his father at the high school level, E.J. had found himself in a similar situation, this time being coached by his uncle. The newest Bears’ quarterback wouldn’t change the fortune of the team’s success in 2019, but would help ignite the change James had looked for. While learning a new system throughout his first year, E.J. would combine for 30 touchdowns and over 2,900 passing yards in his opening campaign.
“E.J. is an exceptional athlete,” Brown quarterbacks coach Heather Marini said of what stood out in that first year. “His ability to use his legs along with his arm makes him such an all-around athlete and that translates to his ability on the field.”
Marini, who started as the Bears’ Offensive Quality Control Assistant Coach in E.J.’s opening year, got a chance to see the growth of Brown’s signal caller from Year 1 to Year 2. After becoming the first female position coach in Division I football in 2020, she would get the opportunity to help lead the quarterback room through the cancellation of the Ivy League season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Not being able to be all together was tough,” Marini said. “The benefit was we were able to spend a lot more time teaching… He showed coming back in 2021 he used the time to his advantage and he continued to progress in leaps-and-bounds.”
With an extra year to study the playbook, E.J. would be able to showcase more than just his legs in 2021. The senior quarterback enjoyed a breakout year that included a completion percentage jump from 59.9% to 66.5%. His passing game numbers would increase his senior season, throwing for over 3,000 yards. With an unusually long offseason, the Brown quarterbacks coach believes the extra time learning the system allowed E.J. to make a bigger jump with his arm.
“I think the reason you see that difference in completion percentage is because he was able to really study the playbook in that 2020 year that we didn’t have, and turn that into a great understanding of the nuance of the type of offense that we ran,” Marini said. “Because of that, he was able to throw a lot more balls in 2021 and that turns into that incredible completion percentage. So the plays that he made with his feet in 2019, he was able to make with his arm in 2021.”
The added attention that E.J. had in his senior year led to a trip to the NFL Combine. The Bears’ star had the highest overall athleticism score of any quarterback invited to the event and clocked in with a 4.65 second 40-yard dash.
For players coming out of the Ivy League, it’s tough to garner the same recognition as prospects coming from Power 5 schools. With his athleticism impressing scouts early on, Marini believes that his biggest hurdle throughout the draft process will come with breaking that stigma.
“I think the biggest thing for him is overcoming the stereotype that the Ivy League is some sort of Division I football-lite, when really it’s not,” Marini said. “I think he continues to surprise people because they think, ‘there’s an Ivy League quarterback, he’s not going to be able to compete with the rest of these Division I players.’ When really, he’s been able to prove again and again that he’s well and truly worthy of being in that group.”
Following the NFL Combine, E.J. held his Pro Day at Holy Cross where 26 NFL teams were in attendance. He completed 47 of 49 passes during the event and continued to impress scouts with his ability at the position. Back in February, E.J. picked up the East-West Shrine Bowl MVP award.
So far, the Brown quarterback is set to visit two teams, the Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders, with NFL teams allowed to bring in 30 draft prospects to their facilities for interviews before the draft.
While he faces an uphill battle on draft day, E.J. will look to become just the first Ivy League quarterback to be selected in the NFL draft since Ryan Fitzpatrick was taken in the seventh round out of Harvard back in 2005. With the odds stacked against him, he has one person in his corner for sure.
“Over the last couple of years he’s developed into an NFL-caliber quarterback,” Marini said. “He makes exceptional decisions, his arm strength is so good. His ability to move not just within the pocket but be able to extend plays. He’s an all-around NFL-caliber quarterback.”
Editors note: E.J. Perry signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the NFL draft.
