The son of former All-Pro defensive back Rod Perry is finalizing an arrangement to join the University of Hawai'i football team.

Ryan Perry said he has requested — and received — a release from his Sacramento State scholarship.

"Everything has been taken care of," said Perry, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound cornerback. "I have my (UH) application, and (the UH coaches) should have received my transcripts (Monday)."

In compliance of NCAA transfer rules, Perry must redshirt this season. After that, he will have at least two seasons of eligibility. He said he is seeking a medical hardship for a third season after being limited to three games in 2005 because of hamstring injuries.

"Now I'm fully healthy," he said.

Perry and his family visited Hawai'i in February. His father, who coaches the defensive secondary for the Carolina Panthers, was on the National Football Conference coaching staff for the 2006 Pro Bowl.

"My father actually played in the first Pro Bowl in Honolulu" in 1980, Perry said. His father played eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and two with the Cleveland Browns.

Ryan Perry attended high schools in San Diego, where he was a teammate of UH safety Dane Porlas, and North Carolina. UH assistant coach Rich Miano had contacted Perry in January 2004, when he was a senior at Providence High School in Charlotte, N.C.

Perry gave Miano's cell phone number to Providence teammate Andrew Pearman, a record-setting running back. UH offered Pearman a scholarship for the fall of 2004 and Perry a gray-shirt deal, in which he would receive a scholarship in January 2005. Perry opted to accept a scholarship offer to join Sacramento State in August 2004.

"Being stupid and not looking at other factors, I went with the (Sacramento State) scholarship right away instead of going to Hawai'i," Perry said.

Pearman signed with UH, but left after one semester.

Perry redshirted in 2004. This spring, Perry decided he would rather be in paradise. After receiving his scholarship release, he contacted the UH coaches.

"I'm heading out there for the fall," Perry said. "It's an awesome place to live, great people. It's a better opportunity for football than where I'm playing at right now."

He said he is prepared to redshirt this season.

"It'll bite, but the main thing is the time might help me build up my body," he said. "I need to be more than 170 pounds. I want to fully sculpt my body so everything is perfect when I get on the field."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.