Jordan Perkins, a three-star running back according to Rivals.com, gave Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald an oral commitment on Saturday, said Perkins' father, Curtis. Jordan Perkins was in Evanston on an official visit with his mother, Joey, Curtis Perkins said.

            Curtis Perkins said his son wanted to commit to the Wildcats Friday, but Fitzgerald did not offically offer until Saturday.

            "My wife said Jordan enjoyed the coaches and Fitzgerald's philosophy on life and how you come out [of NU] as a good young man," Perkins said. "He loved the guys and the town. My wife said he was almost in tears when Fitzgerald offered."

            The road has been arduous for the 5-11, 180-pound Perkins. The senior from Lodi, Calif. orally committed to Stanford in the spring, but when Stanford decided not to inform Perkins of his enrollment status until the end of January Perkins decided to reopen his recruiting. National signing day for football is Feb. 2.

            Curtis Perkins said Stanford did end up telling his son that Perkins' grades were not high enough to enroll at Stanford, despite Perkins' 3.9 GPA.

            "I just don't understand that because Fitzgerald said his grades were excellent," Curtis Perkins said. "They take who they want."

            Jordan Perkins rushed for 1,061 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in seven games for Lodi High School, despite missing the first part of the season with a broken collarbone.

            Perkins should shore up the Wildcats' running game next season. Running backs Scott Concannon (not returning for a fifth year) and Stephen Simmons will graduate and Arby Fields transferred in December. Perkins should compete for a backfield job alongside Adonis Smith, Mike Trumpy and Jacob Schmidt.