JACKSONVILLE, Alabama — In front of a few friends, Ryan Perrilloux kept his promise Thursday morning.
The former Jacksonville State quarterback received his undergraduate degree from the school, keeping the word he gave university president William A. Meehan when he was allowed to transfer from LSU four years ago.
“He laid down the foundation when I came here,” Perrilloux said. “I agreed and promised I would do everything he asked. I promised him I would (graduate), and today was a beautiful today.
“I am truly blessed.”
The private ceremony was held in the Gold Room of Bibb Graves Hall after Perrilloux returned to campus last spring to finish requirements for his degree.
He had to back out of public graduation ceremonies in August and May because of conflicts with his day job, as the third-string quarterback of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
Perrilloux got a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Giants’ practice squad this past season, cut and re-signed on an almost weekly basis as the team managed its roster. But the Giants were impressed enough with his work with the scout team to sign him for the 2012 season with the chance to compete for the backup job behind Eli Manning.
“The New York Giants organization is built on trust and tradition. I can’t wait to show up at training camp and work my (tail) off,” said Perrilloux, who returned with agent Bus Cook after the ceremony to continue his offseason training program in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Coming out of Reserve, La., Perrilloux was the nation’s top-rated quarterback as a high school senior, committing to Texas before signing with LSU. As a sophomore, filling in for injured starter Matt Flynn, he led the Tigers to an SEC Championship Game victory against Tennessee and a berth in the BCS title game.
