Something to write home about

  CHRIS BACKLEY Freshman Tab Perry looks
forward to returning home this weekend for UCLA’s game against
Cal’s Golden Bears.

By Adam Karon
Daily Bruin Reporter

Coming home for a freshman means a warm bed, home cooked food,
seeing old friends, and possibly hauling in a couple of touchdown
passes to beat your hometown team. At least this is the experience
freshman wide receiver Tab Perry hopes for.

The Milpitas High graduate returns home for the first time in
front of 75,000 Bay Area fans this weekend when UCLA takes on the
California Golden Bears.

For the Bruins, the game means a chance to make ground on the
first place Oregon Ducks, while at the same time avenging an
embarrassing shutout loss a year ago.

But to Perry revenge is the last thought on his mind.

Like most freshman, Perry went through a spell of homesickness
earlier this year. But unlike the rest of the Bay Area Bruins, when
he feels homesick he must wake up the next day and play football on
national television. No surprise visits up north, no long phone
calls home ““ just practice, practice and play.

“It’s very different” Perry said.
“It’s a lot more football than I’m used to. There
were times when I wasn’t sure I belonged here.”

Thankfully for the Bruins, Perry was able to settle down with
the help of veteran Freddie Mitchell.

“Freddie kind of took me under his wing,” Perry
said. “He’s like a big brother to me.”

Mitchell, who has seen plenty of freshmen come through the
program, believes Perry is one of the few who came in ready to
play.

“Most freshman need a year to mature,” Mitchell
said. “But he’s ready to play his freshman
year.”

For the most part Perry has been used as a return specialist and
a third receiver. He provides UCLA with a spark on special teams.
In high school Perry returned one punt and three kickoffs for
touchdowns, and found time after football to compete in both soccer
and baseball. It was this athletic ability that first attracted
UCLA coaches to Milpitas during a game against Cal.

Head coach Bob Toledo credits assistant Ron Caragher with
discovering Perry. After that, it didn’t take long to
convince the coaching staff that he was the perfect successor to
Freddie Mitchell.

“He’s got the capability to be a big play
guy,” Toledo said. “He has great athletic ability, but
he’s playing behind Freddie Mitchell.”

When Freddie steps down, it’ll be his turn to step up.

When that time comes, Perry will be the reluctant superstar.

“I kind of like to stay in the shadows,” he said.
“In the Bay Area we’re a little more laid back, and I
think that suits me better.”

Perry is a rarity in high profile college sports. He is a blue
chip freshman with all the physical tools to go to the next level.
In many programs he would be starting, rather than rotating with
Jon Dubravac and playing on special teams. Ask Perry about playing
time and he shrugs.

“I try to help out where I can,” he said. “I
contribute where they need me.”

Even ask him about the possibility of more playing time in front
of the 50 or so friends and family members who will be at Memorial
Stadium, and he merely smiles.

“I just hope I get a chance to watch my cousin play (while
I’m home),” Perry said of his cousin, Michael Collins
who is a senior at Milpitas High School.

His teammates may rib him by calling him
“Strawberry,” but perhaps there’s more to the
name than they might know.

Most people like strawberries, and it’s hard to find a
teammate or coach who doesn’t like Perry. His moves on the
field are sweet, and he seems certain to burst out at any time.

But away from the bright lights he is just Tab, and cool kid
from NorCal.

“I like the way he came in here,” fellow wide out
Brian Poli-Dixon said. “He came ready to play, but he’s
not cocky.”

Maybe that’s why Perry had trouble fitting in with the
Southern California lifestyle.

“Coming down here has been very different,” Perry
said. “I miss the weather up north; I miss being able to
breath.”

His demeanor simply does not fit into the hustle-bustle,
impersonal lifestyle of Los Angeles. Perry would like nothing more
than to be able to have a quality conversation with another student
on the way to class.

“It’s different here,” he said. “People
don’t really talk. They don’t seem to say hi to each
other on campus as much.”

Perhaps someday Perry will learn to fit into the Southern
California lifestyle. But let’s hope not. It is refreshing to
find so much talent hidden behind a quiet, humble, confident young
man.

This weekend the young man returns home to family, friends and
high school teammates. What will be the best part of Perry’s
trip home?

The warm bed? His mom’s lasagna? Or maybe a couple of
touchdowns to help the Bruins down the Bears on their home
turf.