Wake Forest Athletics
Perry Put Stamp on Historic Career at Wake Forest
2/7/2023 10:45:00 AM | Football
The Deacs all-time leader in touchdown receptions capped his career with another impressive performance in his home state of Florida, leading Wake Forest to a Gasparilla Bowl Championship.
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Atorian (A.T.) Perry wrapped up his record-breaking Wake Forest career with an 11-reception, 116-yard performance in a 27-17 Demon Deacon Gasparilla Bowl Championship over Missouri at Raymond James Stadium.
"I just wanted to play this last game with my brothers," Perry said after the game when asked if he considered opting out. Perry is rising up the NFL Draft boards and has been invited to the NFL Combine. "I tried to keep my emotions back all week. It was special being out there with them. I love my teammates and the coaching staff. I wanted to make those memories one last time."
Perry always seemed to shine in games against competition from the Sunshine State or when playing in Florida, such as his 15 catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns against the Seminoles the last two seasons or his 10-catch, 127-yard outburst in the Gator Bowl a season ago.
"It was good being back in my home state," Perry said. "My family got to come. I just kept the main thing the main thing — being consistent in doing my job to make sure we came away with the win."
After redshirting in 2018, Perry showed glimpses of what he was capable of in the 2019 Wake Forest Spring Game, but was largely a depth piece of that team, playing behind the likes of Kendall Hinton, Sage Surratt, Jaquarii Roberson and Scotty Washington. The Demon Deacons have certainly had a bountiful group of talented receivers over the last several years. That season, Perry had just four catches for 62 yards, and followed that up in the COVID-impacted 2020 campaign with 15 receptions for 211 yards.
It was the offseason of 2021 where Perry showed his largest growth after presumed receiver-room leader Donavon Greene was ruled out of the season.
"I really believe it was two summers ago, when Donavon Greene got hurt and even before then," Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. "We always knew A.T.'s talent. He's long and fast, and has a great catch radius. When Donavon got hurt, Atorian had a chance to become a starter, and all that work really paid off."
Perry admits seeing his teammate down for the season gave him extra motivation entering the 2021 season. During that fall camp, Perry often remarked about wanting to get "one percent" better each day.
"After Donnie went down, I was completely hurt," Perry said. "I wanted to play with him that season, but I knew I had to step up my game. I spoke with coach Higgins, who wanted to make sure we were all on the same page. I found a way to keep my body up to date each week, which only helped me as a player.
"Each one of us all grew, which is one of the things I'm most proud of. That summer was special. It was tough, but we kept our heads high and kept working."
The last two seasons Perry has established himself as one of the top receivers in Wake Forest history, and one of the top wideouts in the country. He owns the Wake Forest career touchdown reception record (28) passing Ricky Proehl (1986-89) who had 25. His 28 touchdown receptions ties him for seventh all-time in ACC history, along with Virginia's Tyrone Davis and Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson.
He finished his Wake Forest career sixth in all-time receptions (171) and third in all-time receiving yards (2,662).
He leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and of trusting the process, and he tried to share his experiences with the talented group of wideouts who will be returning in 2023 for the Demon Deacons.
"I told them to keep their chin up and just work," Perry said. "It's about you getting your job done. You want to wake up the same person every day. I'll always be there for them. Seeing them grow from the beginning of the season to now, and then watching them next year will be special.
"Stuff is going to happen, but it's all about the next ball and the next drive. We stay positive throughout the game, making changes here and there."
Even with all the accolades, Perry is still working on getting one percent better each day, and will be competing in the NFL Combine in early March looking to enhance his draft stock. He is coming off an impressive week at the East-West Shrine Bowl where he received daily praise for this play in the practices against some of his fellow draft prospects.
"I'm not satisfied with what I did last year, nor am I satisfied with what I did this year," Perry said. "I want more. I need to find the pieces of myself to reach my potential. I never back down from a challenge and face adversity head-on.
"Three years ago, I knew what it was like to not be playing and to be sitting watching the older guys. But taking that next step and growing, I take that to heart."
