Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Wherever senior Amarius Perdue lines up for the Troup Tigers he makes a difference. The two-way stud has made the most of his time in blue and gold and during his final run with the Tigers, he is helping lead the way on both sides of the trenches.

“Getting that experience on both sides of the ball in high school helps me know the other side of the ball when I’m playing,” Perdue said. “I feel like getting to play both sides is the best part about high school.”

Perdue is a defensive lineman by trade. It is where he played his freshman and junior seasons. Perdue was looking to get more varsity reps his sophomore year and diversified his game, earning a starting guard spot on the offensive line.

“There were some really good players ahead of me on the defensive line and I knew that I wanted to get on the field somehow,” he said. “I switched it up and learned the offense and was able to beat out a senior for a starting spot.”

In the past, Perdue has largely played second fiddle to defensive linemen like Qua Birdsong and Tyler Leslie. Now, Perdue is filling that role as a playmaker on the defensive line.

“I like blocking, but I enjoy hitting somebody even more,” Perdue said, flashing a big grin.

Perdue is not just a playmaker, he is also a leader for the team. The Tigers lost just about all its leadership from last year’s team and there was a need for some guys to step up and fill the void. Perdue has been one of those players that has filled bigger shoes this season.

“It comes at you really fast,” Perdue said. “Just last year I had Qua helping me out and telling me what to do and now I’m doing that for the younger guys on the team.”

Current defensive coordinator and former defensive line coach J.C. Copeland has been a major influence on Perdue and has helped him transition into a leadership role with the team this season.

“He has helped me so much, not just through football,” Perdue said. “I will go to work for him outside of school and he always lets me know when I’m doing something wrong.”

Playing both ways on Friday nights can take its toll on the body. Perdue is able to withstand the hits and maintain his energy thanks in large part due to the conditioning program at Troup High.

“I’ll be mentally tired after games, but not exhausted because the conditioning we do really just gets me in shape and prepared,” Perdue said. “I don’t like coming off the field, I want to play every snap.”

With the number of games Perdue has left as a Tiger quickly dwindling, he has one eye on the future. The senior plans to continue to play football after high school and his recruiting has started to pick up.

“I just had a coach reach out to me this morning,” Perdue said on Thursday. “I’m hoping that they will make me my first offer.”

Perdue’s ability to play both sides of the ball at a high level will be coveted at the next level.

“I can get recruited at either position and I’m open to playing wherever I’m needed in college,” Perdue said.

Even with one eye on the future, Perdue’s two feet are firmly planted in the present. He is soaking in his final stretch of games as a Tiger.

“Every game is special,” Perdue said. “Some of the games like against Harris County and LaGrange already feel like a college atmosphere.”