Feb. 2, 2005
Coach Grobe Press Conference Quotes
Winston-Salem, N.C. - Twenty-two prep standouts have signed to play football at Wake Forest, head coach Jim Grobe announced on Wednesday.
The class of 22 included a heavy emphasis on offense, with 16 of the signees coming from that side of the ball.
Grobe and his staff, led by recruiting coordinator Ray McCartney, have addressed needs all over the field, signing seven offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two running backs, two wide receivers, two tight ends, two cornerbacks, a linebacker and a fullback.
"Last year was primarily a defensive class and we balanced that out this time with a strong offensive group," Grobe said. "I like the defensive players we are taking to fill specific needs and I am very excited with our overall class. Many of these guys will have a chance to play in a hurry. This may be our most talented group to date and is a very strong class academically."
The group represents seven different states, headlined by six North Carolina natives. The in-state signees are offensive lineman Chris DeGeare (Kernersville), running back L.J. Flintall (Burlington), cornerback Brandon Ghee (Fayetteville), the younger brother of Deacon safety
Patrick Ghee, linebacker Dominique Midgett (Greensboro), tight end Ted Randolph (Mocksville) and fullback Mike Rinfrette (Bunn). DeGeare, Ghee, Midgett and Rinfrette were all ranked among the state's top 25 players.
The Deacons also signed five players out of Florida, including a trio of players from the Jacksonville area. Jeff Griffin, an offensive lineman, is the first player from Bartram Trail High School to play Division I football. Quarterback Riley Skinner and defensive lineman John Russell led the Bolles School to a 3A State Championship.
The two additional Florida commitments came from running back Kevin Harris, an exceptional athlete who played for his father Mick at Seminole High School, and quarterback Brett Hodges, a two-sport star at Winter Springs High School. The two starred in the same backfield as juniors at Winter Springs.
Wake Forest signed four individuals from Georgia, two of which were highly-rated offensive linemen. Gage Crews, a native of Bainbridge, and Barrett McMillin, from Lawrenceville, will help strengthen the offensive front. Defensive lineman Michael Lockett joins the Deacons from Sandy Creek High School in Fairburn, the same high school that produced rising junior Riley Swanson. Tight end Ben Wooster comes from Greater Atlanta Christian, the same school that produced rising sophomore Micah Andrews.
The Deacons have added three players from Tennessee. Joseph Birdsong was rated as one of the top offensive linemen in the state while playing at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville for former NFL quarterback Jeff Rutledge. Wake Forest also signed Casey Hill, a wide receiver from Evangelical Christian School in Memphis and Jonathan Jones, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver from Madisonville.
Wake Forest signed a pair of prep standouts from South Carolina. Trey Bailey was part of two state championship teams at Byrnes High School and was rated as one of the top 25 players in South Carolina. Channing Schofield, a defensive back from Wagener-Salley High School, was a standout two-way performer.
The Deacons have added the top offensive lineman in Nebraska, according to Rivals.com. Tyler "Boomer" Peterson was initially discovered at Lincoln Southeast High School by the Wake Forest track and field staff, and the football staff later followed with a scholarship offer.
The class is rounded out by Shaunteryous "Boo" Robinson, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound All-State defensive lineman from Monroe, La., who also made the Academic All-State team.
These 22 signees will join 51 returning lettermen, including 18 starters, from a team that finished 4-7 last year. The 2005 season begins for Wake Forest on Thursday, September 1 against Vanderbilt at Groves Stadium.
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| Trey Bailey | OL | 6-2 | 260 | Duncan, S.C. | James F. Byrnes HS |
| Joseph Birdsong | OL | 6-6 | 270 | Nashville, Tenn. | Montgomery Bell Academy |
| Gage Crews | OL | 6-4 | 300 | Bainbridge, Ga. | Bainbridge HS |
| Chris DeGeare | OL | 6-4 | 340 | Kernersville, N.C. | Glenn HS |
| L.J. Flintall | RB | 5-10 | 180 | Burlington, N.C. | Cummings HS |
| Brandon Ghee | CB | 6-1 | 185 | Fayetteville, N.C. | Jack Britt HS |
| Jeff Griffin | OL | 6-3 | 280 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Bartrum Trail HS |
| Kevin Harris | RB | 6-1 | 225 | Sanford, Fla. | Seminole HS |
| Casey Hill | WR | 5-11 | 175 | Memphis, Tenn. | Evangelical Christian |
| Brett Hodges | QB | 6-2 | 175 | Winter Springs, Fla. | Winter Springs HS |
| Jonathan Jones | WR | 6-4 | 185 | Madisonville, Tenn. | Sequoyah HS |
| Michael Lockett | DL | 6-1 | 255 | Tyrone, Ga. | Sandy Creek HS |
| Barrett McMillin | OL | 6-3 | 290 | Lawrenceville, Ga. | Collins Hill HS |
| Dominique Midgett | LB | 6-2 | 235 | Greensboro, N.C. | Dudley HS |
| Tyler "Boomer" Peterson | OL | 6-5 | 295 | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Southeast HS |
| Ted Randolph | TE | 6-3 | 250 | Mocksville, N.C. | Davie County HS |
| Mike Rinfrette | FB | 6-3 | 260 | Louisburg, N.C. | Bunn HS |
| Shaunteryous "Boo" Robinson | DL | 6-2 | 295 | Monroe, La. | Richwood HS |
| John Russell | DL | 6-2 | 250 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Bolles School |
| Channing Schofield | CB | 5-11 | 180 | Wagener, S.C. | Wagener-Salley HS |
| Riley Skinner | QB | 6-1 | 195 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Bolles School |
| Ben Wooster | TE | 6-5 | 210 | Atlanta, Ga. | Greater Atlanta Christian |
Signees By Position:
Offensive line (7): Bailey, Birdsong, Crews, DeGeare, Griffin, McMillin, Peterson; Defensive Line (3): Lockett, Robinson, Russell; Quarterback (2): Hodges, Skinner; Running Back (2): Flintall, Harris; Cornerback (2): Ghee, Schofield; Wide Receiver (2): Jones, Hill; Tight End (2): Randolph, Wooster; Linebacker (1): Midgett; Fullback (1): Rinfrette.
Signess By State:
North Carolina (6): DeGeare, Flintall, Ghee, Midgett, Randolph, Rinfrette; Florida (5): Griffin, Harris, Hodges, Russell, Skinner; Georgia (4): Crews, Lockett, McMillin, Wooster; Tennessee (3): Birdsong, Hill, Jones; South Carolina (2): Bailey, Schofield; Louisiana (1): Robinson; Nebraska (1): Peterson
Wake Forest Football Signing Class of 2005
Trey Bailey
OL * 6-2 * 260 * Duncan, S.C. * James F. Byrnes HS
Rated by Rivals.com as the 24th-best player in South Carolina... helped lead Byrnes HS to three straight state championships in 4-A Division II... named the 4-A lineman of the year... an all-state and all-region pick as a junior and a senior... a finalist for the South Carolina Lineman of the Year award... chosen South Carolina Red Zone Player of the Year... lettered in baseball... named to the all-area academic team... graduated in the top 10 percent of his class... benches 345 and squats 550... coached by Bobby Bentley at Byrnes HS... parents are Beverly and David Bailey... born March 9, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Duke, Furman and Vanderbilt.
"Trey is a tremendous asset for the Wake Forest football program because of his work ethic, attitude, agility and character." --Byrnes head coach Bobby Bentley
Joseph Birdsong
OL * 6-6 * 270 * Nashville, Tenn. * Montgomery Bell Academy
Rated by Rivals.com as the 16th-best player in Tennessee... helped lead Montgomery Bell to state titles as a sophomore and junior and a semifinals appearance as a senior... helped Montgomery Bell to a No. 15 national ranking by USA Today... was named second team AP All-State in all divisions as a senior... named first team all-state as a junior and senior in Division II-AAA... named by Prepstar to the All-Southeast team... totaled 137 pancake blocks in his career and never allowed a sack... benches 325, squats 405 and has a vertical leap of 26 inches... a two-year letterwinner in track... plans to major in business... father, John, played football at Vanderbilt... chose Wake Forest for its small size, coaching staff and academics... coached at Montgomery Bell Academy by former NFL quarterback Jeff Rutledge... parents are John and Cynthia Birdsong... born March 18, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
Gage Crews
OL * 6-4 * 300 * Bainbridge, Ga. * Bainbridge HS
An All-State first team selection... selected to the GACA North/South All-Star game... named All-Southwest Georgia... led Bainbridge to a 7-4 record as a senior with an appearance in the state playoffs... benches 380 and squats 380... an outstanding student who had a perfect 4.0 grade point average... coached by Bainbridge HS by Greg Guy... parents are Jeff and Stephanie Landeen... born April 26, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from LSU, South Carolina and Southern Miss.
"He's just a great kid. He's very humble, but he's just a good, good kid...and a heck of a football player." -Bainbridge coach Greg Guy
Chris DeGeare
OL * 6-4 * 340 * Kernersville, N.C. * Glenn HS
Already enrolled at Wake Forest and is attending classes this spring... rated by Rivals.com as the 32nd-best offensive guard in the nation... the second-best lineman and the 11th-best overall player in North Carolina... rated by Scout.com as the third-best offensive lineman and the 19th-best overall player in North Carolina... member of the North Carolina team in the 2004 Shrine Bowl... earned all-conference and all-area honors as a junior and a senior... benches 340 and squats 515... team captain as a senior... named Glenn HS "Student of the Month" in September 2004... coached at Glenn by Dick Cline... parents are Brian and Genetria DeGeare... born July 1, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennesse and Virginia Tech.
"I think (Wake Forest) got a jewel. First and foremost, he's a man of great character. Great work ethic, great size, he's the complete package; not to mention a great student. I think Wake Forest is going to be very happy with a guy like him. He is what every coach dreams of in an offensive lineman. He has the perfect demeanor: level-headed and always plays under control. I'd like to coach a dozen guys like him." - Glenn coach Dick Cline
L.J. Flintall
RB * 5-10 * 180 * Burlington, N.C. * Cummings HS
Participated in the Shrine Bowl for North Carolina... helped lead Cummings to a 56-7 overall record during his career... that run included a 2002 state championship and runners-up in 2001 and 2003... rushed for 1,233 yards as a senior, 24 touchdowns, 272 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns... a three-time all-conference pick... 2004 preseason all-state selection... runs a 4.38 40-yard dash... a track star who was a national finalist in USATF in the 400 hurdles... the North Carolina state runner-up in the 300 hurdles... co-conference MVP in track... named to the Principal's List for outstanding academics... co-editor of the school yearbook... coached at Cummings by Steve Johnson... parents are Lacy Sr. and Robin Flintall... born August 16, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from North Carolina and Vanderbilt.
Brandon Ghee
CB * 6-1 * 185 * Fayetteville, N.C. * Jack Britt HS
Brother of returning starting strong safety Patrick Ghee... runs a 4.34 40-yard dash... rated by Scout.com as the 36th-best cornerback nationally... rated by Rivals.com as the second-best cornerback and 18th-best player in North Carolina... rated by Scout.com as the third-best cornerback and 20th-best player in North Carolina... led Jack Britt HS to the state championship game and scored a touchdown in that contest... selected to play in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl... named all-state as a cornerback and all-region as a wide receiver... earned Best Defensive Back award at Jack Britt... posted a speedy 10.5 in the 100-meter in the North Carolina Track Championships as a junior and also ran a 21.47 in the 200-meter... coached at Jack Britt HS by Richard Bailey... parents are Wayne and Carol Ghee... born June 6, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Clemson, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech.
"He is one of the best all-around athletes I have ever coached. He's a great player, but an even better person." -- Jack Britt head coach Richard Bailey
Jeff Griffin
OL * 6-3 * 280 * Jacksonville, Fla. * Bartram Trail HS
Named by Jacksonville Times-Union to the Super 11 and Super 24... first team All-First Coast and first team All-St. John's County... member of Team USA as part of the NFL Global Junior Championship... named honorable mention All-Florida by the Florida Sportswriters Association as a junior... benches 350 and squats 470... his high school hosted the New England Patriots' practices during Super Bowl week in Jacksonville, Fla... coached at Bartram Trail by Darrell Sutherland... parents, Barry and Lisa Griffin, attended Florida State... born April 3, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Central Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisville and South Florida.
"He's a quality young man. He was a leader for four years for us and led by example. He's a tough, hard-nosed kid and should be a good one for Wake Forest." -- Bartram Trail coach Darrell Sutherland
Kevin Harris
RB * 6-1 * 225 * Sanford, Fla. * Seminole HS
Projects as a tailback with the Demon Deacons... runs a 4.48 40-yard dash... rated by Rivals.com as the 14th-best fullback nationally... ranked as the 29th-best player in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel... owned the 25th-best SPARQ rating in the nation at the Nike Combines... first team All-Seminole County as a junior and a senior... member of the Central Florida All-Star team and rushed for a 46-yard touchdown in that game... a Florida Citrus Scholar Athlete... rushed for 900 yards at his fullback position despite playing in only six games as a senior due to an ankle injury... rushed for 200 yards for Seminole HS in their playoff game... started in the same backfield as fellow signee Brett Hodges as a junior... rushed for 1,179 yards with nine touchdowns as a junior at Winter Springs... a state contender in weightlifting... played for his father, Mick, at both Winter Springs and Seminole... a Pittsburgh native... benches 400, squats 500, clean and jerks 320 and owns a 33-inch vertical leap... parents are Mick and Barbara Harris... born April 5, 1986... chose Wake Forest over offers from Alabama, Central Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, Miami and South Florida.
"Kevin is very excited about Wake Forest. He will work hard on and off the field to put himself in the best position to contribute." - Seminole coach Mick Harris
Casey Hill
WR * 5-11 * 175 * Memphis, Tenn. * Evangelical Christian
An all-state and all-metro wide receiver in Tennessee... broke his high school's records for single game marks in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns... a Wendy's High School Heisman nominee... led Evangelical Christian to a state championship as a junior and a state runner-up finish as a senior... runs a 4.5 40-yard dash... earned all-area honors as a junior... named an all-area pitcher in baseball... coached by Jim Heinz at Evangelical Christian School of Memphis... parents are Chick and Andi Hill... born June 9, 1986... chose Wake Forest over offers from Stanford, Tennessee, Utah and Vanderbilt.
"We are extremely pleased with Casey's decision to continue playing football at Wake Forest. He has been an incredible student for us here at Evangelical Christian and I'm certain he'll continue to be a great student-athlete for the Wake Forest program." - Evangelical Christian coach Jim Heinz
Brett Hodges
QB * 6-2 * 175 * Winter Springs, Fla. * Winter Springs HS
First team All-Seminole County... selected to the Central Florida All-Star Game... ranked as the second-best quarterback in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel... named a Two-Sports All-American by Student Sports... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds... a two-year starter for the Bears at Winter Springs... passed for 1,500 yards as a senior... threw for 1,800 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior... attended camp at Wake Forest before senior season... started in the same backfield as fellow signee Kevin Harris as a junior... a standout basketball player for the Bears, the school's all-time leading scorer, averaging 22 points per game... rated as the 57th-best basketball player in Florida... coached by Steven Katz at Winter Springs... parents are Karl and Carla Hodges... father, Karl, was a pitcher on the UCF baseball team... born October 29, 1986... chose Wake Forest over offers from Central Florida, East Carolina and South Florida.
"Brett has a great arm and has great technique. He has always maintained composure in the pocket. I really believe he has just scratched the surface of his potential. Wake Forest is getting a good one." -Winter Springs coach Steven Katz
Jonathan Jones
WR * 6-4 * 185 * Madisonville, Tenn. * Sequoyah HS
Rated by Rivals.com as the third-best receiver and the 19th-best player in Tennessee... all-county most valuable player as a junior... honorable mention most valuable player as a senior after posting 836 receiving yards... attended summer camp at Wake Forest... runs a 4.54 40-yard dash... has a 36-inch vertical leap... split time between receiver and running back as a senior... named all-region quarterback as a freshman... a talented basketball player who averaged 20 points per game as a junior... received offers to play both sports at the Division I level... United States National Leadership Merit Award winner... United States Academy English Merit Award winner... plans to major in business... coached at Sequoyah HS by Don Kerley... parents are Paul and Maxie Jones... born August 30, 1986.
"He's the best athlete we've ever had here. We try to get him the ball as much as we can. He has good speed and can jump out of the building." - former Sequoyah head coach Don Kerley
Michael Lockett
DL * 6-1 * 255 * Tyrone, Ga. * Sandy Creek HS
Comes from the same high school program as rising junior Riley Swanson... a three-year starter at Sandy Creek, a program that sent 15 players into the Division I ranks during the past two years... a 4A All-State selection in Georgia and the Fayette County Defensive Player of the Year... had 76 tackles, 13 for loss and 10 sacks as a senior... has been clocked at 4.8 in the 40-yard dash... also played basketball at Sandy Creek... coached by Rodney Walker at Sandy Creek... parents are Louis and Laura Lockett... born June 30, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from East Carolina, Georgia Southern and Marshall.
Barrett McMillin
OL * 6-3 * 290 * Lawrenceville, Ga. * Collins Hill HS
Named first team all-state at offensive guard... selected first team all-county and lineman of the year in Gwinnett County... participated in the North-South Georgia All-Star game... helped Collins Hill to a 10-2 record as a senior... attended summer camp at Wake Forest... a gifted student... benches 500 and squats 515 pounds... participated in the IDEALS Leadership School... coached at Collins Hill by Larry Sherrill... father, Troy, played offensive guard at Illinois from 1978-81... parents are Troy and Beth McMillin... born June 9, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Illinois and Vanderbilt.
Dominique Midgett
LB * 6-2 * 235 * Greensboro, N.C. * Dudley HS
Rated by Rivals.com as the fourth-best linebacker and 25th-best player in North Carolina... a two-year All-Piedmont Triad Conference selection... helped lead Dudley to the 2004 3-AA state championship game at Groves Stadium... had 12 tackles and one interception in that game... posted 161 tackles as a senior with 10 sacks... played defensive end as a junior and recorded 95 tackles and 17 sacks... coached by Steve Davis at Dudley... parents are Karen and Bobby Midgett... born July 3, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Duke, East Carolina, Maryland and Vanderbilt.
"He is a perfect fit for Wake Forest. He will fit in real well with the Demon Deacon program. He is an exceptional student who will perform well in the classroom. But that's not all. He is an outstanding, hard-working athlete. He's almost like Superman... he changes on the field. He's tough, real tough." - Dudley coach Steve Davis
Tyler "Boomer" Peterson
OL * 6-5 * 295 * Lincoln, Neb. * Lincoln Southeast HS
Rated by Rivals.com as the top offensive lineman and 8th-best player in Nebraska... an All-City selection... named All-Heartland Conference... chosen second team all-state by the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald... team captain... selected Chuck Potter Award winner for offensive lineman of the year... initially discovered by the Wake Forest track staff and recruited as a thrower... benches 315 and squats 425 pounds... coached at Lincoln Southeast by Chuck Mizerski... parents are Robert and Sally Peterson... born July 1, 1987.
"I can't imagine him not being a success at the Division I level. He has all the traits you would look for: size, strength, intelligence and a great work ethic." - Lincoln Southeast coach Chuck Mizerski
Ted Randolph
TE * 6-3 * 250 * Mocksville, N.C. * Davie County HS
Ranked by Rivals.com as the 37th-best tight end nationally, the second-best tight end in North Carolina and the 24th-best player in the state... led Davie County to the fourth round of the state playoffs with a 14-1 record... named all-state in the preseason... selected All-Northwest North Carolina as a senior... chose Wake Forest because of academics and a rising football program... runs a 5-second 40-yard dash... benches 290 and squats 395... owns a 24-inch vertical leap... a talented student... coached at Davie by former Deacon placekicker Doug Illing... parents are Janice Randolph and Ted Randolph... born May 6, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Clemson, North Carolina and South Carolina.
"Ted is an extremely intense, physical player with a great attitude and work ethic." - Davie County coach Doug Illing
Mike Rinfrette
FB * 6-3 * 260 * Louisburg, N.C. * Bunn HS
Named all-state as a junior and a senior... earned the conference defensive player of the year award as a junior and a senior... a three-time all-conference selection... played fullback, linebacker and long snapper at Bunn... a four-year starter who helped Bunn to four state playoff appearances and three conference championships... rushed 150 times as a senior for 927 yards and 19 touchdowns... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds... competed in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl and the East-West All-Star Game... named conference defensive player of the year as a junior... earned all-conference honors as a junior and a senior... tallied 289 tackles in his final two years of high school with 13 sacks, eight fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one defensive touchdown... benches 345, squats 500 pounds... coached by David Howell at Bunn High School... parents are Tony and Lynn Height... born June 6, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from East Carolina, North Carolina and Vanderbilt.
"He can play so many positions and he has great hands. He runs well, he runs a 4.8. I have never had a kid that could play so many positions." - Bunn coach David Howell
Shaunteryous "Boo" Robinson
DL * 6-2 * 295 * Monroe, La. * Richwood HS
Earned all-state honors in Class 3A... picked up All-Northeast Louisiana and all-district accolades... named first team All-District most valuable player... had 128 tackles as a senior with 10 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 26 tackles for loss and 39 quarterback hurries... helped lead Richwood to the state quarterfinals as a senior... named to the Academic All-State team... a 2004 Wendy's High School Heisman nominee... a three-year All-American scholar... member of the National Society of High School scholars... benches 370 and squats 515 pounds... a second team all-district selection in baseball and team most valuable player... a four-year starter at Richwood for coach Greg Williams... parents are Julia and Dwayne Robinson... born August 5, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Tulane and UL-Monroe.
"Wake Forest is getting a great player and the type of student-athlete that Wake Forest looks for. It is a great day for him and a great day for Richwood High School." - Richwood coach Greg Williams
John Russell
DL * 6-2 * 250 * Jacksonville, Fla. * Bolles School
High school teammate of fellow signee Riley Skinner... helped lead the Bolles School to a 14-0 record and a Florida 3A state championship... named first team all-state in 3A... named to the Super 24 by the Jacksonville Times-Union... first team All-First Coast... rated by the Jacksonville Times-Union as the fifth-best defensive lineman in Florida... named to Team USA as part of NFL Global Junior Championship... named to Jacksonville Times-Union's Super 75... recorded 10 tackles and one sack in the state championship game... had 74 tackles and seven sacks during his senior year... earned All-First Coast and all-region honors as a junior... recorded 103 tackles as a junior including 10 sacks and two fumble recoveries... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds... a track standout who threw the shot put and discus... coached by Corky Rodgers at the Bolles School... parents are Dick and Betty Russell... born July 1, 1987... chose Wake Forest over offers from Central Florida, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech and Louisville.
"John was an anchor for our defense. He is a physical kid who plays the game the way it is supposed to be played. We will miss him here at Bolles." - Bolles coach Corky Rodgers
Channing Schofield
CB * 5-11 * 180 * Wagener, S.C. * Wagener-Salley HS
Ranked as the 69th-best player at his position in the country... an Associated Press first team All-South Carolina selection... finished his high school career with 14 interceptions, 19 sacks, 190 tackles and seven forced fumbles... as an option quarterback, he rushed for almost 3,000 career yards with 36 rushing touchdowns, 2,820 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and four kick returns for scores... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds... was an option quarterback, kick returner, punt returner in addition to cornerback in the system at Wagener-Salley... averaged 31 yards per kickoff return... posted 245 all-purpose yards in the team's season opener... also played baseball for the War Eagles and stole 30 bases as a junior... coached by Steve Deriggs at Wagener-Salley HS... parents are Fleming and Dora Schofield... chose Wake Forest over offers from South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
"Channing has character and is a player with tremendous acceleration and heart. He's the kind of player coaches dream about coaching." - Wagener-Salley coach Steve Deriggs
Riley Skinner
QB * 6-1 * 195 * Jacksonville, Fla. * Bolles School
High school teammate of fellow signee John Russell... helped lead the Bolles School to a 14-0 record and a Florida 3A state championship... named the Northeast Florida Player of the Year... chosen second team All-State at quarterback... member of Team USA as part of the NFL Global Junior Championship... posted a 28-2 record as a starting quarterback... completed 77 percent of his passes for more than 2,300 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions for the Bulldogs... broke the state championship game record with 356 passing yards and tied the touchdown record with four before coming out with seven minutes left... played three sports including basketball, averaging 13 points per game, and baseball where he was a pitcher... coached at Bolles School by Corky Rodgers... father, Chip, played baseball at Georgia Tech... uncle was a quarterback at Vanderbilt... parents are Jennifer and Chip Skinner... born October 21, 1986... chose Wake Forest over offers from Hawaii and Miami, Ohio.
"I don't normally talk up my kids, but Riley was 28-2 as a starter for us at Bolles. He is a proven winner, and Wake Forest will be glad to have him." - Bolles coach Corky Rodgers
Ben Wooster
TE * 6-5 * 210 * Atlanta, Ga. * Greater Atlanta Christian
Sidelined by injury for most of his senior season... selected as the Cecil Morris Award recipient by the Gwinnett Touchdown Club... named all-region and honorable mention all-state as a sophomore defensive end while attending high school in Arizona... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds... owns a 31-inch vertical leap... attended summer camp at Wake Forest... also played basketball at Greater Atlanta Christian, where he averaged a double-double as a junior... lettered two years in baseball... a talented student... earned the pre-calculus medal for having the highest grade in that subject in his school... member of the National Honor Society... plans to major in pre-med... comes from the same high school program as rising sophomore Micah Andrews... coached at the Greater Atlanta Christian School by Jimmy Chupp... parents are Ed and Lisa Wooster... born October 2, 1986... chose Wake Forest over offers from Arizona, Louisville and Vanderbilt.
"Ben works hard and leads by example. He did a lot of blocking for us. He's well rounded." - Greater Atlanta Christian coach Jimmy Chupp
