:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46929060/usa-today-8239223.0.jpg)
Elysee Mbem-Bosse, one of best insider linebackers in the 2016 recruiting class, has listed Wake Forest in his top five schools. The list also includes Auburn, Southern California, Michigan, and North Carolina State. He recently dropped Alabama, Oregon, Ole Miss, and Notre Dame. The 6'2", 228-pound inside linebacker from Ellenwood, Georgia, is rated by Rivals as the 7th best inside linebacker in the country, and the 157th best player overall. He is a 4-star recruit. Needless to say, Wake Forest is competing for an elite prospect against elite programs.
MY TOP 5 pic.twitter.com/l3tWx2cAkF
— Elysee Mbem-bosse (@Bcg_34) August 10, 2015
Mbem-Bosse is a young man who is very aware of the lifespan of football players, and is very academically minded.
From Bleacher Report
"Knowledge is something that can never be taken away from you,"Mbem-Bosse said. "The average time playing in the league [NFL] is about three-and-a-half years. That means I'll have 50 or 60 more years in my life. I want to be able to grow up, have a beautiful wife and kids and say I was able to get a good education.
There's no doubt that Wake Forest university can provide him with an excellent education that will set him up for success after football. Currently, it appears that Auburn is the favorite to land his services, but I would not eliminate Wake Forest just yet. He has visited Wake Forest at least three times so far, and I anticipate that he will also take an official visit to Wake Forest before he makes a final decision. Is Wake Forest different from most of the schools in his top five? Yes, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Coach Clawson and his staff have done wonders recruiting at Wake Forest. The 2015 recruiting class was the best recruiting class, on paper, in school history, and the 2016 class is currently ranked 45th in the country. Still, a commitment from Mbem-Bosse would be the best individual recruit that Dave Clawson has ever signed. Even if Wake Forest does not land him, however, it's exciting that Wake is getting involved in more recruiting battles against bigger programs. Give Clawson enough time, and he'll begin to win those battles.