Some recruits arrive at a stadium as strangers. Demetrius “DJ” Perry arrives as family.His father grew up two blocks from the University of Houston campus. His grandmother walked the same grounds as a student. For the 2028 safety out of Ellison High School in Killeen, Texas, the Cougars aren’t a distant suitor with a glossy pitch. They are a part of the family story, one that has been told at dinner tables long before a recruiting coordinator ever dialed his number. “Houston has always felt like home to me,” Perry told us. “My dad grew up just two blocks from campus, and my grandmother…
football Exclusive
A Grandmother’s Alma Mater, a Father’s Neighborhood, a Safety’s Shortlist: DJ Perry Is Back at TDECU
Ellison’s 2028 Safety returns to TDECU for Week 7 with UH ‘at the top of my list’

Exclusive · Premium Members
Read the rest.
This article is for Coogs 365 members. Become a member to unlock this piece and every exclusive from the desk.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Sign in
Conversation
Reader Replies.
0 replies
Sign in to join the conversation.
Sign in →No replies yet — be the first to weigh in.
Be civil · Keep it on-topic · Community guidelines
Closer to the program
Become a Coogs 365 member.
$9.99/month — exclusive reporting, the full archive, and an ad-lite reading surface across every sport.
Subscribe NowKeep reading
More from this beat
Exclusivefootball
Coogs coup in the making? Inside Houston’s recruiting showcase vs. Oklahoma State
Ten commits are coming home, three flip targets are coming to look, and a top-20 showdown is the pitch.
Lee Ann Herring-OlvedoOct 15, 2026 5 min

football
Before They Wear Houston, They Have Work to Do: The Coogs’ 2027 Commits in Action
Lee Ann Herring-OlvedoOct 14, 2026 5 min

football
Jersey Village's Thigpen, Falcons pick up first win of season
Marcus GutierrezOct 12, 2026 3 min
