It is hard not to get excited about this Wake class. If you look at the guys' offer sheets, the stars don't exactly stand out (but it is good to see that many three stars, showing consistency), but the schools they're turning down are incredible. Matching up against Va Tech, Miami, Florida State, Purdue, Arkansas, etc... and snagging guys, this shows that players are not only willing to give Wake a look, but are excited to buy into Jim Grobe's system. I'll try to go more in depth later on today as I try to go through everything, but if you want a nice little recap and quick hits on the guys, definitely check out DeaconSports.com. Cagles and the gang did a tremendous job this year keeping up with the recruits and hitting the trail and that has really paid off.
Links, links, links!
Fox Sports Community - Fox Sports > goodmanonfox > Blog > MICHIGAN'S HARRIS RETURNING FOR SENIOR YEAR? DON'T BUY IT JUST YET
Still waiting for that steak dinner Jeff...
Wake Forest's Al-Farouq Aminu told me he was returning to school immediately after the Demon Deacons were knocked out of the NCAA tournament in the first round last March, but I wasn't sold and therefore, didn't write it. I figured it was just the emotion of bowing out so early against Cleveland State, and my educated guess, having dealt with many others who have made similar statements following tough losses, was that ultimately he'd change his mind. I was wrong. Aminu returned.
Don't be star-struck by recruiting rankings | Charlottesville Daily Progress
NOTE: Sounds like UVA's coach is drinking the Grobe-style Kool-Aid: "When [a player] is rated a particular star, the people that are rating them ... I know they take pride in what they do, but I like to go out and watch film and watch a guy play a position and see how he competes against other players," London explained. "If you can check off on the boxes, the things he can do for your team, the skills that you require, then that’s all that matters. "I know there’s a lot of players out there that have outstanding qualities and skills that people that are ranking class and players would assign stars to them, but one man’s five-star is another man’s one-star," London said. "I think it has to fit the mold of who you are recruiting and in this case, I like who we have."
Grobe says that WFU's success on field has helped in recruiting
ut a funny thing happened to the Deacons during their streak of three straight bowl trips that was snapped with the 5-7 season of 2009. Bit by bit, Wake Forest's recruiting classes started to get more respect from those who rank incoming players, to the point that for the second year in a row they had 10 three-star recruits as designated by the internet Web site that specializes in recruiting, Scout.com. Before 2009, Scout.com had never awarded three stars to more than seven Wake Forest recruits.
Basketball looks grim in the ACC right now
As computer models and analytical eyeballs judge things right now, six ACC teams would make the field: Duke, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida State, Clemson and Maryland. The rankings used by the NCAA put only Duke among the top 22, with Maryland No. 50, a perilous position
Signing day: Wake Forest recruiting class -FayObserver.com
Class Jewel A.J. Marshall is the type of shutdown corner that will eventually have Wake Forest fans recalling Alphonso Smith.
National Signing Day: Southwest Florida athletes make their decisions | news-press.com | The News-Press
In a last-minute decision, Byrd said he selected Wake Forest over Arkansas saying it was a "better fit." "I figured Wake Forest is a better program, and they want me to play running back ... It just fits better than Arkansas," Byrd said.
Seminole Chronicle - One-season wonder Hodges leaves indelible mark at UCF
"That is a pretty cool feeling," Hodges said in recalling the win over Houston. "That is something that is always going to be remembered and my name is going to go down in UCF history, being a part of the first team to finally beat a ranked opponent in 25-26 tries. "Honestly it is one-of-the best games of my life that I have ever played."
Heartsill becomes PCA's first Division 1 football signee | Montgomery Advertiser
"He’s the strongest kid I’ve ever coached," Prattville Christian coach Grey Powell said. "He bench presses 400 pounds and squats 500 and he runs a 5.06 second 40. "He dominated people on the field. In one game, he actually blocked one guy and used him to block another guy. You just don’t see that very much."
High school athletes make college plans official | WWAY NewsChannel 3 | Wilmington NC News
Soccer standout Ross Tomaselli is Wake Forest bound. Wake is one of the premier soccer programs in the country. "I've known where I'm going to college for a year now," Tomaselli, "but making it official on signing day is pretty cool. It's a huge honor to go to Wake Forest, I'm really looking forward to it."
Wake Forest's recruits might be needed soon | forest, needed, recruits - Sports - Burlington Times News
Almost conditioned to redshirt incoming players, Grobe said there might be several players among Wednesday’s signees ready for more immediate contributions. "For me, it’s uncomfortable," Grobe said. "For them, it’s probably exciting. We’re just going to give them a real, real good look. … They’d better buckle up and be ready."
Scout.com: Wake Forest Signing Day Capsules
Scout.com brings you the rankings, ratings, photos, and video of the Wake Forest signing class of 2010.
Southern Pigskin - Cooper Talks Deacs
Desmond Cooper, a three-star defensive back from The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, will carry on a tradition of players from Bolles heading to play for Jim Grobe and Wake Forest. A thrilled Cooper signed a scholarship offer in front of his peers, teachers and members of the media on Wednesday. Former Bolles products quarterback Riley Skinner and defensive lineman John Russell just recently graduated from Wake Forest.
DigitalSports follows future Demon Deacon Travis McKie (Video)
It was a no-brainer to choose John Marshall's Travis McKie, a unique personality with tremendous ability and a serious classroom attitude.
beRecruited.com: Sports TV - #7 Joseph Byrd - Running Back
Check out this video and the rest of Joseph Byrd's Sports TV Channel
The Deacs continue to develop their pipeline in Florida, as seven players are from the Sunshine state, including three from Pahokee High. They also restocked their needs on defense, on the offensive line and at running back. This should be another typical Jim Grobe class that takes a few years to mature, as he is a big believer in redshirting, but odds are this class contains a few unknown gems as well.