With things mostly quiet on the 2016 front, I thought I would take a look back at the recruits that held our interest (at least my interest!) last spring but didn’t ultimately commit to Wake. Sort of a “Where Are They Now” feature.
LB Elysee Mbem-Bosse (Ellenwood, GA)
Wake Connection: Wake was his second P5 offer. Mbem-Bosse visited for Junior Day and returned to Wake for (if I recall correctly) two more unofficial visits including an overnight stay.
What’s Happened Since: No Wake recruit this cycle blew up more than Mbem-Bosse. He ended up ranked as the #33 overall recruit in the country on RankByOffers.com. Once considered a near-lock to commit to Auburn, Mbem-Bosse kept everyone guessing until recently committing to Michigan.
OT Tremayne Anchrum (Powder Springs, GA)
Wake Connection: Wake was his second P5 offer. One of only two non-QBs to be offered at Wake’s second Junior Day last February (Mike Dwumfour was the other). He named Wake as his leader at one point.
What’s Happened Since: After going back and forth with Georgia for several months, Anchrum extended his recruitment deep into the fall and ultimately picked up a Clemson offer. He chose Clemson over Nebraska in November.
CB Sir Patrick Scott (Upper Marlsboro, MD)
Wake Connection: Junior Day visitor had Wake as his leader for a reasonably long period. Wake received some Crystal Ball predictions.
What’s Happened Since: Decommitted from Michigan. Some internet speculation that he was forced out because of issues with his grades. No clear landing spot has emerged.
DE/DT Mike Dwumfour (Wayne, NJ)
Wake Connection: The other non-QB offer at Wake’s second Junior Day last fall. Wake was his first P5 offer and second offer overall. Wake briefly led in his recruitment until he visited Pitt.
What’s Happened Since: Pitt was eventually topped by a Penn State offer. Dwumfour committed to the Nittany Lions late-spring or early summer, but then flipped to Michigan yesterday.
OT Stephen Spanellis (Baltimore, MD)
Wake Connection: Somewhat of a surprise visitor for Junior Day. Spanellis named Wake his leader afterwards. Then his recruitment went dark for a few months, so it was difficult to tell how much Wake was involved.
What’s Happened Since: Spanellis resurfaced on the recruiting scene last summer when he committed to Virginia. However he flipped from Virginia to Michigan last week.
WR Donald Stewart (Paramus, NJ)
Wake Connection: Wake was the first P5 school to get involved with Stewart and the staff reportedly remained in close contact with Stewart for well over a year. I believe Stewart made the trip to Wake for the Spring Game in April. There were reports that he tried to fit in an official visit to Wake in October, but I don’t think it happened.
What’s Happened Since: Still uncommitted, but Stewart is set to choose between Stanford and Michigan this week. Since Saturday, Michigan has received 12 consecutive Crystal Ball predictions for Stewart.
S JJ Givens (Mechanicsville, VA)
Wake Connection: Givens received his second P5 offer at Wake’s Junior Day. Givens would then return for another unofficial visit and had some really positive things to say about Wake.
What’s Happened Since: Wake didn’t stay in contention long. He received a number of offers and set out a very busy visit schedule. Surprisingly he committed to South Carolina on his first stop last summer. He would stay committed to the Gamecocks until December when he opened up his recruitment. He took official visits to Miami and N.C. State, and has Maryland on the schedule for next weekend. He reportedly wants Miami, but may have to settle for the Terps.
Three other names that committed elsewhere last spring/summer and stuck with their original commitments: RB Tre Harbison (Virginia), SLOT Moe Neal (Syracuse) and Xander Gagnon (Duke).