A general rule, I never post direct quotes from published articles but I’m going to do it here because I really want people to read this quote. I want say who it’s from, because that’s not important. I will say that it’s a 3-star high academic-type kid with multiple P5 options. He visited a number of P5 schools over his spring break. Here is what he said about Wake:
“Wake was the biggest surprise to me. The facilities that they’re building for a small school are impressive. I think what I’ve learned through this week is that you can’t pick a school based on facilities. They’ve all got them already or they’re breaking ground to stay in the arms race.
“Wake Forest had something special set up for us. All I will say is that Coach Dave Clawson is going to work on that program. He knows his stuff and I’d be surprised if he didn’t win.”
There are several points to make here:
1. The facilities comment is outstanding. We aren’t going to beat the Clemsons and Alabamas of the world in the facilities arms race (we aren’t going to beat those 2 programs for recruits either). My hope is that we can close enough to the big public schools that enough of these kids say “Wake’s facilities are close enough that I’m going to make my decision based on other factors”. I can’t understate how much facilities matter. These recruits are just about to start narrowing their lists and they are all taking campus tours to check out facilities. It’s the very first thing that most recruits talk about in interviews. Almost without exception.
2. Clawson continues to be convincing.
3. The “something special” is a comment I’ve heard before (for example, from Sulaiman Kamara). It shows that the staff is trying to be creative and different with some aspect of these unofficial visits. Some amount of uniqueness in approach is a MUST if Wake is going to be successful.
Great stuff. Go Deacs!
Be curious to see where this unnamed player finally commits