This thread has been pretty dead since I started it in September. Sorry about that. There haven’t been many articles of interest, and there weren’t as many game day visitors as I expected (at least not that I picked up on). With 2016 recruiting nearly done, I am going to take an updated look at some of the key targets at each position. I am planning three installments: 1) Quarterbacks, 2) Offense (other than QB) and 3) Defense.
Here is a look at the 2017 QB recruits that Wake is most involved with. Ranked in order of estimated likelihood of committing to Wake (based on personal opinion). Keep in mind that QBs commit very early in the recruiting cycle. I think there is a reasonable chance that Wake gets a QB commit in February or March of 2016.
#1
DAULTON HYATT (ARAB, AL)
Measurables: 6’4 /176, 4.83 forty. 31 inch vertical. (May 2015)
Rivals Ranking: #22 Pro-Style QB in the country. 3-star.
QB Hit List Ranking: #27 Pro-Style QB in the country
Offered by Wake On: June 12
Other P5 Offers: Miami, Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Syracuse
Most Recent P5 Offer: Syracuse and West Virginia offered in October
Why I Ranked Him #1: Hyatt named Wake Forest his leader in October. Hyatt said he fell in love with Wake’s campus. There is a 247 crystal ball prediction for Hyatt to Wake Forest.
Notes: Visited Ole Miss and Alabama in October and Vanderbilt in November. October article said that interest from programs like Alabama, Auburn and Ole Miss was increasing. HS team went 1-10 this past season.
HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1253550/daulton-hyatt
#2
TAYLOR POWELL (FAYETTEVILLE, AR)
Measurables: 6’1 / 185. 24 inch vertical. (March 2015)
Rivals Ranking: 3-star
QB Hit List Ranking: #29 Pro-Style QB in the country
Offered by Wake On: December 3
Other P5 Offers: None
Why I Ranked Him #2: Wake Forest is the first and only P5 offer. One of only 2 QB’s offered by Wake Forest since the summer. Since the offer is recent, we can assume that Wake’s current interest level is high.
Notes: Looks like a candidate to be a breakout recruit nationally. Had a big junior year statistically (3,600 passing yards and 49 passing TDs) and led his team to the Class 7A state championship. Highlights are drool-worthy at times. HS team switched from pro-style offense to no-huddle spread last season. Visited Oklahoma State twice, including as recently as November. Visited Pitt, Illinois and West Virginia last summer. He said last month that Notre Dame is trying to get him to visit.
HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1374780/taylor-powell
#3
TODD CENTEIO (WEST PALM BEACH, FL)
Measurables: 5’11 / 193. 33-inch vertical (February 2015)
Rivals Ranking: #14 Dual-Threat QB in the country
QB Hit List Ranking: #26 Pro-Style QB in the country
Offered by Wake On: August 9
Other P5 Offers: Miami (decommitted in May), Nebraska, Indiana and N.C. State
Most Recent P5 Offer: Wake Forest in August.
Why I Ranked Him #3: He visited Wake Forest in July and put Wake in his top 3 in November (along with N.C. State and Indiana). On the other hand, N.C. State has been the presumed leader for a while now – there are two 247 Crystal Ball predictions for N.C. State - and Centeio has made it very clear that he wants to attract “bigger offers”.
Notes: Centeio hasn’t added any new offers since the summer. There are some questions about whether his height is limiting his market value.
HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2985649/todd-centeio
#4
HENDON HOOKER (GREENSBORO, NC)
Measurables: 6’3 / 189 (unofficially)
Rivals Ranking: #18 Dual Threat QB in the country
QB Hit List Ranking: #25 Pro-Style QB in the country
Offered by Wake On: November 3
Other P5 Offers: Syracuse and N.C. State
Most Recent P5 Offer: Wake Forest
Why I Ranked Him #4: Recent offer from Wake. I am fairly certain that he has visited Wake multiple times, but I can’t tell how many. The early thinking is that UNC will become the favorite if they offer. Hooker was one of 4 QBs to attend the Fedora Freak Show camp last summer. Brendon Haywood’s parents are Hooker’s godparents. His cousin also played basketball at UNC.
Notes: Had 2,100 yards and 17 TDs passing and 1,100 yards and 15 TDs rushing last season. Hooker visited Wake Forest, N.C. State and UNC this fall and 7 P5 schools last summer. He reported heavy interest from Mississippi State and is planning to visit there unofficially. Plans to major in Health Sciences. Plays AAU basketball for Team Felton.
HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3467641/hendon-alan-hooker
#5
TANNER MORGAN (UNION, KY)
Measurables: 6’0 / 197, 5.23 forty. 25 inch vertical. (May 2015)
Rivals Ranking: 3-star
QB Hit List Ranking: #68 Pro-Style QB in the country.
Offered by Wake On: April 16
Other P5 Offers: Louisville
Most Recent P5 Offer: Louisville in May
Why I Ranked Him #5: He looked to be very high on Wake last spring after his offer, but I haven’t seen anything connecting him and Wake recently. If I were to get some evidence that Wake is still actively recruiting him he would move up this list.
Notes: Morgan visited Indiana and Louisville in September, Purdue and Cincinnati in October and Western Kentucky and Michigan State in November. Then Indiana again in December. Morgan was featured in a national media story because he works with a top QB coach remotely using a variety of technologies.
HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3702379/tanner-morgan
#6
SHON MITCHELL (CHESAPEAKE, VA)
Measurables: 5’10.5 / 176 (May 2015)
Rivals Ranking: 3-star
QB Hit List Ranking: #16 Dual-Threat QB in the country
Offered by Wake On: May 11
Other P5 Offers: Virginia Tech
Most Recent P5 Offer: Wake Forest
Why I Ranked Him #6: His recruitment has been very quiet, so I don’t have a sense for Wake’s interest level. He hasn’t received a college offer since May.
Notes: Some concern that his size might impact his market value. Threw for almost 3,000 yards in 2015. Has a career won/loss record of 40-4. Has started for his HS team since the first game of his freshman season. His Virginia Tech offer was received as a freshman from the previous staff. He named Virginia Tech the leader in September. UNC is reportedly involved – no offer yet though. His father played at Nebraska, and they might be involved as well. Is interested in majoring in business or engineering.
HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2856935/shon-mitchell
#7
MYLES BRENNAN (BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS)
Measurables: 6’3 / 172, 5.08 forty. 24-inch vertical. (March 2015)
Rivals Ranking: 3-star
QB Hit List Ranking: #20 pro-style QB in the country
Offered by Wake On: December 9
Other P5 Offers: Cal, Kentucky and West Virginia
Most Recent P5 Offer: Wake Forest, but West Virginia (October) was also recent
Notes: May be one of the most prolific passers in high school football history. Needs 28 passing TDs next season to become #10 all-time according to records kept by the National Federation of State High School Associations. Posted an incredible 5,248 yards and 53 TDs passing in his junior season. Those numbers are actually DOWN from his sophomore year. He reduced his INTs from 14 as a sophomore to 8 as a junior. Already one 247 Crystal Ball prediction for Cal. Visited Mississippi State in November.
HUDL Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2564882/myles-brennan
OTHER NOTES:
One guy without an offer from Wake to keep an eye on is
Henry Columbi (Fort Lauderdale, FL). He camped at Wake in June and might be ascending on the recruiting scene. Rivals reported that a recent growth spurt has him up to 6’4. He won a recent camp competition that included Todd Centeio, and recently moved up to the #24 Pro-Style QB in the country on QB Hit list. Right now Temple is Columbi’s only scholarship offer.