Auburn football vs. Crimson Tide in battle for 4-star in-state DL

Auburn footballPark Crossing's Khurtiss Perry (44) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Jeff Davis defeated Park Crossing 30-29.
Auburn footballPark Crossing's Khurtiss Perry (44) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. Jeff Davis defeated Park Crossing 30-29.

The No. 3 defensive lineman in the state of Alabama has found himself caught up in between CFB’s greatest rivals. Auburn football recently hosted Montgomery native Khurtiss Perry, who is being recruited hard by both Tigers and Tide.

Perry, who is the No. 8 defensive lineman in the recruiting class of 2022, visited UA on June 1 right before heading to the Plains on June 2. He will also visit Ohio State, UCF, LSU, and Texas in the month of June.

According to the Montgomery Advertiser, the 4-star DL left the Plains highly impressed with the Auburn football program after strengthening connections with the Tigers’ coaching staff:

"“It was a great experience. They taught me a lot,” Perry told reporters after his visit. “They showed me a lot of new things. They’re a great staff. I like (defensive coordinator) coach (Derek) Mason. He’s a great dude. He’s understandable. (Cornerbacks) Coach Zac (Etheridge), coach Harsin, they’re great coaches all around."

Though the Tide may have several years of dominance in the CFB world on their side, nothing can beat the Auburn atmosphere and the Auburn family. AL.com reports that Perry was taken by surprise when the coaching switch up took place as he was offered by the staff of Gus Malzahn, but after his unofficial visit to the Plains he’s all the way on board with Coach Harsin:

"“They just rebuilt my trust today,” Perry said. Perry was impressed by all the coaches, especially defensive coordinator Derek Mason."

The Tigers also recently picked up a commitment from Kansas transfer Marcus Harris, a good friend of Khurtiss Perry and fellow graduate of Park Crossing in Montgomery. Though Perry’s 247 Sports Crystal Ball Prediction says the DL will choose Alabama, it seems that Auburn football is working its way to the top of Perry’s list.

It should be a while before we hear any sort of official announcement from the high school senior, but it seems the recruiting race will go down to the wire between the crimson and white and the orange blue.