I am generally happy with the progress of 2016 recruiting thus far. Despite struggling on the field, Wake is still getting traction with a handful of quality players. I can be a pessimist at times and was concerned that the on-field product would hurt us more than it actually has. The fact is that there are some key targets that are mentioning Wake. Plus, any progress that the staff has made to date on the class puts them ahead of where they were in the 2015 cycle. Think about how much progress the staff has made in recruiting the 2016 class. At this point last year, they were still 6 weeks from being hired. For comparison purposes, consider that Jake Bargas was one of the first 2015 players offered by Clawson and he wasn’t offered until January 10.
For all of those reasons I am really hoping that the staff leaves some scholarships for 2016. It would be nice to think that there would be at least 12 scholarships for this class.
Here is an overview of where things stand, with some positives and negatives.
The positives:
1. “THE BIG THREE”? – There are 3 guys in particular that are really talking up Wake Forest. All are ranked in Rivals Top 28 players in North Carolina. RB Tre Harbison is #12. WR/RB Moe Neal is #15. DT Christian Colon is #21. Wake might lead for Harbison right now, although that may change as his offer list fills out. Wake might also lead for Neal, or at worst might be co-leaders with Syracuse. Wake is neck and neck with UNC for Colon. I think that Colon would really like to commit to a school together with one of the other players in the group of Charlotte-area recruits that have become close friends. That could mean UNC (if Zach Gilbert commits there) or Wake Forest (if Moe Neal commits). Also, I am trying to get a better feel for where Wake Forest stands with Kendall Hinton’s Southern Durham teammate ATH Jordon Brown (the #13 player in the state). He is playing things a little closer to the vest, but Wake is in the running at some level. If he’s legitimately interested, that would make it a "Big Four" in my opinion.
2. RBs in NORTH CAROLINA – According to Rivals, 7 of the top 28 players in North Carolina are RBs. Many of those guys are looking to stay in-state. If they do stay-in state, there should be plenty of talent to go around. It will be important for Wake to come away with their fair share.
3. AGGRESSIVE OFFERS –There is an advantage that comes with being the first Power 5 team to offer a recruit. Recruits sometimes stay loyal to the first program to take a chance on them. In the past I have noted that the Wake staff has appeared to me to be reluctant to be that first offer, but that changed in October when they offered OL Je’Vionte Nash, CB Martin Mangram and WR Jeremiah Brown. Plus, they were the 2nd Power 5 school to offer ATH Jalen Elliott, WR Samuel Denmark and WR Chavis Dawkins.
The negatives(?):
1. FEW GAME VISITORS – I have been a little disappointed that we haven’t had more 2016 recruits attend our home games. I am sure that there have been a few that I didn’t pick up on via Twitter etc. It is also worth noting that I didn’t follow this last year, so I really don’t have a basis for comparison. However, by my count there have only been 13 players with offers from Power 5 programs that have attended the 4 home games. 6 of the 28 ranked players in North Carolina (three more are expected for the Clemson game). 1 of the 10 ranked players in South Carolina. None of the 18 ranked players in Virginia.
2. OL RECRUITING is off to a slower start. I have said before that I think this is mostly attributable to relatively weak class in North Carolina in a year where the most of the early recruiting has been in-state. Plus, the two biggest in-state names are considered Duke-leans.