Jamir “JJ” Perez would need to get creative in a game of hide-and-seek. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound high-schooler casts a large shadow.

More than just a big body, Perez has seen his recruiting stock skyrocket this year. The senior-to-be has reported 24 scholarship offers, including Ohio State and Alabama. Troy was the only one among them to do so before the calendar flipped to 2025.

Perez’s late bloom was connected to his junior film dropping in January. When it made the rounds, college coaches took notice.

A disruptive force in the middle of the defensive line, Perez wrecks game plans. And he has another prep season to play.

Iowa jumped into the mix for the Glenville (OH) High standout with a scholarship offer on Wednesday. Defensive line coach Kelvin Bell visited him at school.

“I like that the head coach (Kirk Ferentz) has been there for 20 plus years and they are a winning college program,” Perez said.

According to 247Sports, Vanderbilt (May 29), Wisconsin (June 6), Iowa State (June 10), Cincinnati (June 13) and Ohio State (June 20) have locked in official visits with Perez.

“I’m planning on visiting Iowa. We’re discussing it being an official visit,” he said. “I want to learn about the culture of Iowa, who they are and what they stand for.”

Academics also are of high importance to Perez. He’s interested in what Iowa has to offer in that regard.

“I want to study Finance and Business. I wanna learn how to use money to make money and handle it the right way,” he said.

Prep Redzone Ohio views Perez as the seventh best defensive lineman and No. 83 player overall in the state for 2026. He’s the nation’s 94th best D-Lineman and No. 40 overall in Ohio this cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite Ranking.