Jose Perez (American football)
Encyclopedia
Jose Perez Jr. is an American football
cornerback
who is a free agent
. He played college football
at San Diego State University
(SDSU). He was selected by the New York Yankees
in the seventh round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
.
and attended Oceanside High School
. With the perrenial powerhouse Oceanside Pirates he played middle linebacker in his freshman year before switching to wide receiver
. He led his team to the CIF Championship. As a senior, he caught 57 passes for 1112 yards in earning all-county honors.
and college baseball
under Tony Gwynn
. However, Perez—who grew up a Yankee fan—instead accepted a six-figure bonus to play with Yankees. He played minor league baseball
in the Yankee organization for three seasons before being released.
team in his senior year.
as undrafted free agent in 2011, but was released in the preseason.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
who is a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
(SDSU). He was selected by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the seventh round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
.
Early years
Although he was born in North Carolina, he grew up in Oceanside, CaliforniaOceanside, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Oceanside had a population of 167,086. The population density was 3,961.8 people per square mile...
and attended Oceanside High School
Oceanside High School
-Campus:Oceanside High School rests between the beach and Interstate 5. The remodeled campus includes many palm trees and new sport fields. There is a three-story Science & technology building and Senior Hall...
. With the perrenial powerhouse Oceanside Pirates he played middle linebacker in his freshman year before switching to wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
. He led his team to the CIF Championship. As a senior, he caught 57 passes for 1112 yards in earning all-county honors.
Professional baseball
Perez, one of California's top outfielders and wide receivers in high school, initially committed to attending SDSU, where he would play both college football under Tom CraftTom Craft
Tom Craft Craft is presently the head football coach at Riverside Community College in Riverside, CA, and was previously the head football coach at San Diego State University from 2001-2005 and at Palomar College in San Marcos, CA from 1983-2000...
and college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
under Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
. However, Perez—who grew up a Yankee fan—instead accepted a six-figure bonus to play with Yankees. He played minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
in the Yankee organization for three seasons before being released.
College football
Perez then joined SDSU's football team as a walk-on, where was converted from receiver to cornerback. Perez received an honorable mention for the All-Mountain WestMountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
team in his senior year.
Professional football
Perez was signed by the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as undrafted free agent in 2011, but was released in the preseason.