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From a news release:

WINSTON-SALEM - Wake Forest University head football coach Jim Grobe on Wednesday announced the signing of 21 prospective student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend Wake Forest.

The signing class consists of players from eight states and the District of Columbia and includes seven from Florida and five from North Carolina. The Demon Deacons also gained commitments from players in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas and Virginia.

Offensively, Wake Forest added 11 players including three running backs, a quarterback, two tight ends, three lineman and a pair of wide receivers. On defense, the Deacons signed nine players including three defensive linemen, two linebackers and four defensive backs. Wake Forest also added a specialist in long snapper Logan Feimster of Statesville, NC.

“This is a fairly balanced class with nine on defense and 11 offensive players,” said Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe. “We added a long snapper to replace Greg Bechtel after next year. An emphasis was on the secondary where we recruited four defensive backs. The class has some really good players who are also outstanding citizens. Some of these guys may have a chance to contribute in a hurry based on our needs at their position. I like the attitude of these players and expect all of them to help us compete for bowl games and championships.”

Wake Forest will lose nine starters off the 2009 squad including five on offense and four on defense. The Deacons will return 48 lettermen from last year’s team.

Defensively, the Deacons signed four players projected to play in the secondary including three cornerbacks and a safety. The safety is Desmond Cooper, a 6-2, 200-pound product of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Fla. Cooper will join former Bolles teammates Scott Betros, Chance Raines and Alex Wulfeck on the 2010 Deacon squad.

The three incoming cornerbacks include Merrill Noel (5-10, 180) of Pahokee, Fla., A.J. Marshall (5-11, 180) of Southern Durham in Durham, NC and Kevin Johnson (6-0, 160) of Clarksville, MD River Hill. Johnson hails from the same high school as current Deacon Michael Campanaro.

Two linebackers signed with Wake Forest on Wednesday. Zachary Allen (6-2, 210) hails from Pahokee, Fla. while Patrick Thompson (6-2, 200) joins the program from Ashburn, Va. Stone Bridge High School. Thompson’s twin brother, Zach, redshirted on the defensive front this past fall. Wake Forest will now have four Stone Bridge graduates on the team including WR Devon Brown and LB Mike Olson who redshirted last fall.

Along the front lines, Wake Forest will be seeking to replace a pair of outstanding defensive tackles in John Russell and Boo Robinson. The Deacons signed two tackles in Duke Mosby (6-2, 290) from the Woodberry Forest School in Virginia and Antonio Ford (6-3, 280) from Pahokee, Fla. Lexington, Ky. Catholic graduate Daniel Vogelsang (6-3, 235) will join the Deacons as a defensive end candidate.

On offense, the Deacons landed a pair of 6-5 wide receivers in Matt James of Raleigh Sanderson and Brandon Terry from Alpharetta, Ga.

Two tight end signees will have a chance to compete for playing time in the fall. Jonathan Garcia (6-4, 230) of Cape Coral, Fla. Ida Baker and Neil Basford (6-5, 240) from Jacksonville, Fla. Bishop Kenny will join returning tight ends Cameron Ford and Andrew Parker.

Wake Forest signed three offensive linemen, all of whom are at least 6-4 and weigh 300 pounds. Colin Summers (6-4, 310) from Raleigh Broughton is projected as a guard. Dylan Heartsill (6-5, 310) from Prattville, AL Christian Academy and Daniel Blitch (6-6, 305) from Gainesville, Ga. North Hall are candidates to play tackle.

The Deacons will also welcome three new running backs including two tailbacks and a fullback. Tailback Joseph Byrd (5-10, 170) joins the Wake program from Cape Coral, Fla. Ida Baker while Nick Knott (5-10, 170) hails from Wylie, Texas. Knott is the brother of current Deacon wide receiver Chris Givens and also a high school teammate of Wake linebacker Nikita Whitlock. Fullback Ben Emert (6-1, 225) will come to Wake Forest in the fall after having graduated from West Forsyth High in Cumming, Ga.

The lone quarterback in the group is Tanner Price (6-2, 190) of Austin, Texas Westlake High School.

The Deacons, who had 26 Florida natives on the 2009 team, will take the field next fall with 29 including the seven new additions from the Sunshine State.

Six members of this signing class are already enrolled at Wake Forest: Vogelsang, Feimster and Thompson all graduated from high school in the spring of 2009 and delayed their enrollment until last month. Ford, Allen and Garcia all graduated from high school early and came to campus in January. All six are expected to participate in spring practice.

Notes: Four players became the first from their high school to sign a National Letter of Intent with a Bowl Championship Subdivision team. Heartsill is the first from Prattville Christian Academy and Emert is the first from West Forsyth. Garcia and Byrd, teammates at Ida Baker High in Cape Coral, Fla., share the honor.

Tight end Neil Basford’s brother is an offensive lineman at the U.S. Naval Academy. Wake Forest and Navy have played four times in the last three seasons and are scheduled to play again in 2010.

Tanner Price comes from a high school that has produced a number of prominent quarterbacks. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is an Austin Westlake graduate as is University of Arizona QB Nick Foles. Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street is also a Westlake grad.

Merrill Noel, Antonio Ford and Zachary Allen were all teammates at Pahokee High School. Wake Forest also had three Pahokee grads in its 2004 recruiting class: Alphonso Smith, Demir “D.J.” Boldin and Antonio Wilson.

2010 Wake Forest Football Signees

Name Pos Ht Wt Hometown High School

Zachary Allen LB 6-2 210 Pahokee, FL Pahokee

Neil Basford TE 6-5 240 Jacksonville, FL Bishop Kenny

Daniel Blitch OL 6-6 305 Gainesville, GA North Hall

Joseph Byrd RB 5-10 170 Cape Coral, FL Ida Baker

Desmond Cooper S 6-2 200 Jacksonville, FL The Bolles School

Ben Emert RB 6-1 225 Ball Ground, GA West Forsyth

Logan Feimster LS 6-5 230 Statesville, NC Statesville

Antonio Ford DT 6-3 280 Pahokee, FL Pahokee

Jonathan Garcia TE 6-4 230 Cape Coral, FL Ida Baker

Dylan Heartsill OT 6-5 310 Prattville, AL Prattville Christian

Matt James WR 6-5 205 Raleigh, NC Sanderson

Kevin Johnson CB 6-0 160 Clarksville, MD River Hill

Nick Knott RB 5-10 170 Wylie, TX Wylie

A.J. Marshall CB 5-11 180 Durham, NC Southern

Duke Mosby DT 6-2 290 Washington, DC Woodberry Forest

Merrill Noel CB 5-10 180 Pahokee, FL Pahokee

Tanner Price QB 6-2 190 Austin, TX Westlake

Colin Summers OG 6-4 310 Raleigh, NC Broughton

Brandon Terry WR 6-5 210 Alpharetta, GA Alpharetta

Patrick Thompson LB 6-2 200 Ashburn, VA Stone Bridge

Daniel Vogelsang DE 6-3 235 Versailles, KY Lexington Catholic

Zachary Allen LB 6-2 210 Pahokee, FL/Pahokee

Enrolled at Wake Forest in January, 2010 and will participate in spring practice . . . Joined Wake Forest from Pahokee High School . . . Recorded 53 tackles, six sacks and a pair of interceptions as a senior for the Blue Devils . . . Named first team all-area by the Palm Beach Post . . . Played for a Pahokee dynasty that won three straight state titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008 . . . Caught six passes for 90 yards and one score as a senior . . . Played for Coach Blaze Thompson . . . Rated the No. 18 inside linebacker in the nation by Tom Lemming and No. 31 by Rivals.com . . . Rated the 71st-best prospect in Florida by Rivals and 38th by SuperPrep . . . Has been timed at 4.6 in the 40 . . . Also the leading scorer on the Blue Devil basketball team at 19 points per game . . . Earned three letters in football and four in basketball . . . Voted Pahokee’s top student-athlete as a senior . . . Son of Dameka Coleman . . . Born Oct. 2, 1991 . . . Graduate of the same high school as former Deacons Alphonso Smith, D.J. Boldin and Antonio Wilson . . . Chose Wake Forest over Miami, Tennessee, West Virginia, Purdue, Michigan, Louisville, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Vanderbilt . . . Recruited by Ray McCartney.

“Zachary is one of the best young men you will ever meet. He’s honest and hard-working and he is going to be successful at whatever position he plays.”-- Pahokee head coach Blaze Thompson

Neil Basford TE 6-5 240 Jacksonville, FL/Bishop Kenny

A promising young tight ends and another in a long line of Wake Forest players from Jacksonville . . . Played for Coach Mark Thorson at Bishop Kenny High School . . . Helped the Crusaders to an 8-2 record in 2009 . . . Had 31 receptions as a junior in 2008 with five TD catches for a 7-3 squad . . . Rated the No. 4 tight end in Florida by SunStateFootball.com. . . Member of the Jacksonville Times-Union Super 11 team and the Super 24 team . . . Third team tight end on the All-First Coast team . . . Rated among the top 110 seniors in Florida by SuperPrep . . . Had a pair of touchdown catches in a win over Line Oak Suwanee . . . Helped the Crusaders reach the state playoffs for the first time since 2006 . . . Three-year letterman in football while also earning letters in baseball and track . . . Runs the 40 in 4.75 and has soft hands . . . Son of Mike and Janine Basford . . . Born April 7, 1992 in Jacksonville . . . His brother, Ryan, plays football at Navy . . . Chose Wake Forest over offers from South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Arkansas . . . Recruited by Tom Elrod.

“Neil has been an outstanding player over his four years at Bishop Kenny. He has the rare combination of size and athleticism that you don’t often see at the high school level. He is just starting to scratch the surface of his football potential, and I believe he will grow into an excellent football player at Wake Forest. Neil comes from a strong family and has great character which makes him a perfect fit for Wake Forest Football.” --Bishop Kenny head coach Mark Thorson

Daniel Blitch OL 6-6 305 Gainesville, GA/North Hall

A good-sized offensive line candidate from North Hall High in Gainesville, GA . . . First team 3A all-state by the Georgia Sportswriters Association as a senior . . . Named first team All-Region 7-3A . . . Member of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Class AAA Super 11 squad . . . Played for the North squad in the GACA North-South All-Star game in December . . . Named to the Gainesville Times All-County team in 2008 . . . Team went 9-3 and reached the second round of the state playoffs . . . Three-year starter . . . Played tackle as a freshman in 2006 and earned All-Hall County honors . . . Moved to center as a sophomore in 2007 and earned all-region honors . . . Graded out at 76 percent with 13 pancake blocks as a junior . . . Rated as the No. 82 prospect in Georgia by Scout.com . . . Played for coach Bob Christmas . . . Had 16 tackles on defense as a senior . . . Helped the Trojans to the 3A sweet 16 in 2008 . . . Son of Jim and Mary Ann Blitch . . . Born June 10, 1991 . . . Received offers from East Carolina, Texas Tech, Marshall, Vanderbilt as well as Wake Forest . . . Recruited by Brian Knorr.

“Daniel is a hardworking young man who has all the tools to go as far as he wants to with football. In addition, he is a high character individual who will be an asset to Wake Forest.” -- North Hall Head Coach Bob Christmas

Joseph Byrd RB 5-10 170 Cape Coral, FL/Ida Baker

Joins HS teammate Jonathan Garcia as a member of Wake Forest’s Class of 2010 . . . A speedy running back who rushed for 672 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior before suffering a torn ACL in the seventh game of the season . . . Scored three touchdowns against North Port as a senior . . . Also played defense and was a kickoff and punt returner . . . Played for Coach Brian Conn . . . Also an outstanding track athlete who was named the Fort Myers News-Press Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2009 after finishing second in the state 3A championship meet in the 100m and 200m . . . Has run a 10.47 100m and a 4.41 in the 40 . . . Son of Kernitha Duhamel . . . Born April 15, 1991 . . . Chose Wake Forest over Arkansas, Kentucky, Purdue and Indiana . . . Recruited by Steve Russ.

“Joseph is a big threat player in all three phases of the game. I am glad he chose to play collegiate football at Wake Forest and I know that the institution and the coaching staff will be great influences on his life.” --Ida Baker High School Head Coach Brian Conn

Desmond Cooper S 6-2 200 Jacksonville, FL/Bolles School

Considered one of the top defensive back prospects in the country . . . Follows a long line of graduates of The Bolles School to play for Wake Forest . . . Helped the Bulldogs to a 12-1 record as a senior including a 21-7 win over Tampa Catholic in the Citrus Bowl for the Class 2B state title . . . Recovered a fumble in the state championship game that led to a touchdown and also intercepted a pass with 2:33 to play in the game that sealed the win . . . Bolles was ranked No. 1 in the state entering the championship game . . . First team All-First Coast pick at defensive back . . . Had 70 tackles and four interceptions as a senior . . . Member of the Florida Times-Union Super 24 team . . . The No. 73 DB prospect in the nation by Rivals.com . . . Ranked among the top 100 players in Florida by SuperPrep . . . Team was 45-2 during his varsity career . . . Played for Coach Corky Rogers, the winningest high school coach in Florida history . . . Also ran track where he won district title in the 200m three consecutive years . . . Son of Euclid and Alison Cooper . . . Born March 12, 1992 . . . Chose Wake Forest over offers from Arkansas, Indiana, Maryland, Miami, Purdue, Rutgers, and West Virginia . . . Recruited by Tom Elrod.

“Wake Forest is getting a good one in Desmond Cooper. He was not only a good player for us, but was also a great kid. Wake Forest is getting a leader on and off the field.” --The Bolles School Head Coach Corky Rogers

Ben Emert RB 6-1 225 Ball Ground, GA/West Forsyth

A powerful running back who rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his final two seasons of football . . . Comes to Wake Forest from West Forsyth High in Cumming, GA . . . Rushed for 1,486 yards and 27 touchdowns on 173 carries as a senior. . . Averaged 8.6 yards per carry and did not fumble once during his final prep season . . . Two-time first team all-region running back . . . Two-time all-county selection . . . All-state honorable mention selection as a senior . . . Invited to the Rotary All-Star game . . . Rushed for 3,541 career yards and 61 touchdowns in three varsity seasons . . . Honorable mention all-state in 3A as a senior . . . Named his team’s Outstanding Offensive Leader and Outstanding Overall Team Leader . . . Named a Region Scholar-Athlete . . . Played for Coach Frank Hepler . . . Rushed for 1,140 and 18 touchdowns as a junior . . . Played varsity football as a freshman at North Forsyth before West Forsyth High played its first varsity season in 2008 . . . Runs a 4.55 in the 40 . . . The Wolverines were 6-4 in 2009 and 8-2 in 2008 . . . As a senior, had 158 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a win over Chestatee . . . Gained 109 yards and two scores in a win over West Hall . . . Named the GAVarsity.com Player of the Week after collecting 346 yards and five touchdowns against Flowery Branch . . . Carried 14 times for 285 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Gainesville Johnson and earned the Player of the Week award from WSB-TV . . . Son of David and Mary Emert . . . Born Feb. 25, 1992 in Holly Springs, GA . . . Recruited by Brian Knorr.

“Ben Emert is an awesome young man. He has worked his way into becoming one of the finest football players I have been around during the 26 years I have coached. Ben helped us win 22 games over the past 3 seasons. He was a huge factor in each and every victory. He was named the team’s MVP two years straight. Ben is a tremendous running back that has all the tools to be highly successful on the collegiate level. He will fit in perfectly at Wake Forest. His academics are excellent and his work habits are second to none. I believe he could be an All-ACC type of player by the time he graduates. He will outwork his opponents and he will raise up the level of play of his teammates around him.” --West Forsyth High School Head Coach Frank Hepler

Logan Feimster LS 6-5 230 Statesville, NC/Statesville

A high school tight end who is expected to focus on long-snapping as a Deacon . . . Graduated from Statesville High in 2009 and sat out the fall semester before enrolling at Wake Forest in January, 2010 . . . Played for coach Randall Gusler . . . Helped the Greyhounds to the second round of the playoffs in 2008 . . . Son of Wesley and Kelly Feimster . . . Born March 16, 1990 . . . Recruited by Keith Henry.

“Logan was a true scholar-athlete for us. Logan came in and I had the pleasure of coaching him his senior year. He did an outstanding job in the classroom and on the field. I never met a young man that has worked as hard on a particular skill as he did as a long snapper. He took long snapping to a new level and he was amazing.” --Statesville High School Head Coach Randall Gusler

Antonio Ford DT 6-3 280 Pahokee, FL/Pahokee

A January, 2010 enrollee from Pahokee, FL who will participate in spring practice . . . Considered an outstanding defensive line prospect . . . Had 58 tackles and 10 sacks on defense . . . Named first team all-area on offense by the Palm Beach Post . . . First team All-Palm Beach County selection at center . . . Played for a Pahokee dynasty that won three straight state titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008 . . . Rated the No. 67 defensive tackle recruit nationally by Rivals.com . . . Has been timed at 4.9 in the 40 . . . Played for Coach Blaze Thompson . . .Son of Gloria Wilson . . . Born Nov. 5, 1991 in Pahokee . . . Chose Wake Forest over West Virginia, Purdue, Tennessee, Louisville, Vanderbilt, Minnesota and Oklahoma State . . . Recruited by Ray McCartney.

“Antonio Ford is a big teddy bear until you put a helmet on him! He is a joy to watch and he will become a dominant force on the line.” -- Pahokee High School Head Coach Blaze Thompson

Jonathan Garcia TE 6-4 230 Cape Coral, FL/Ida Baker

Graduated from high school early in order to enroll at Wake Forest in January, 2010 . . . Became the first player from Ida Baker High School to sign a NLI with a BCS-level school . . . As a tight end, had 10 receptions for 166 yards and one touchdown as a senior to go along with 110 tackles from his middle linebacker position . . . Made 20 tackles in a win over Island Coast . . . Helped the Bulldogs to an 8-3 record in 2009, the best record in school history, and its first-ever playoff appearance . . . Ida Baker was competing in football for just the fifth season . . . Rated the No. 8 tight end in Florida by SunStateFootball.com . . . Had 11 receptions for 124 yards with 56 tackles, two sacks and an interception as a junior . . . Caught nine passes for 136 yards and added 24 tackles as a sophomore . . . Scored a pair of touchdowns in a 48-0 win over North Port . . . Scored on an 11-yard reception and a 16-yard fumble return . . . Played for Coach Brian Conn . . . Named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 16 Senior All-Star team as a tight end . . . Selected to play in the John Carrigan Rotary South All-Star Classic . . . His interception in the closing seconds helped seal the South victory . . . Graduated a semester early with a 3.9 GPA . . . Son of Luis Rivera and Miriam Garcia . . . Born Feb. 17, 1992 in Queens, NY . . . Recruited by Steve Russ.

“Jonathan is the most aggressive and physical player that I have had the pleasure of coaching. His leadership elevated the play of his teammates, and he has such a passion to play football on both sides of the ball. I look forward to watching him have a big impact on Demon Deacon football in the future.” -- Ida Baker High School Head Coach Brian Conn

Dylan Heartsill OT 6-5 310 Prattville, AL/Prattville Christian

An offensive tackle with good size who hails from Prattville, AL . . . Graded out at 91 percent for the season on the offensive line at Prattville Christian Academy . . . Had 31 tackles and a pair of sacks on defense as a senior . . . Twice named to the all-metro and all-county teams . . . Earned all-state honors as a senior . . . Served as team captain and was the club’s offensive lineman of the year . . . Was an All-Region 3A pick and was named to the Alabama Independent School Association All-Star team . . . Was Prattville Christian’s defensive lineman of the year as a junior in 2008 . . . Also plays basketball for the Panthers . . . Played for Coach Grey Powell . . . Helped the four-year old program to a 7-5 record and its first-ever appearance in the state playoffs . . . Helped lead the way for a Panther offense that totaled more than 4,700 yards in 2009 . . . Son of Van and Rachael Heartsill . . . Born Feb. 5, 1992 . . . Chose Wake Forest over Maryland, Arkansas State, and Eastern Michigan . . . Recruited by Steed Lobotzke.

“Dylan is an incredible young man, at 6’5” and 300 lbs, he definitely makes a big impact on the field! But what we will miss the most at PCA is the even bigger impact he has made off the field! We look forward to Dylan’s continued success on and off the field as a Wake Forest Demon Deacon!” -- Prattville Christian Academy Head Coach Grey Powell

Matt James WR 6-5 205 Raleigh, NC/Sanderson

An in-state recruit from Raleigh Sanderson High School . . . Was a top-notch wide receiver in high school . . . Had 716 receiving yards and four touchdown catches as a senior . . . Named to the Cap-7 all-conference team . . . Scored on a 13-yard reception and a 56-yard run against Wake Forest-Rolesville High . . . Had seven receptions for 128 yards against Millbrook . . . Made nine receptions for 120 yards against Wakefield . . .

Made nine receptions for 141 yards against Panther Creek . . . Played for head coach Tony Lewis . . . Scored 12 touchdowns as a junior . . . Rated the No. 28 player in North Carolina by the Fayetteville Observer . . . Rated as the 27th-best prospect in the state by Rivals.com and 28th by SuperPrep . . . MVP of the National Underclassmen Combine . . . Runs a 4.6 40 . . . Helped Sanderson to a league championship in basketball in 2007 . . . Was the basketball team MVP in 2006-07 . . . Also earned football offensive MVP honors and MVP of the track and field team . . . Holds school records in the 200m (21.7), 400m (48.8), long jump (23’5”), triple jump and high jump . . . Is an outstanding student with a 3.7 grade point average . . . Son of Manny and Patty James . . . Born Dec. 5, 1991 . . . Selected Wake Forest over Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Syracuse . . . Recruited by Steve Russ.

“Matt has been a tremendous asset to our program from the moment he arrived here at Sanderson High School. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow and mature not only as a tremendous football player but as a young man as well. He is very gifted and versatile with the ability to play several different position’s on the football field. Matt has a great opportunity to play for Wake Forest and to earn degree from such a great institution. I look forward to watching his success.” -- Sanderson High School Head Coach Tony Lewis

Kevin Johnson CB 6-0 160 Clarksville, MD/River Hill

Will join the Demon Deacons following his graduation from River Hill High School in Clarksville, MD . . . Was a high school teammate of Michael Campanaro and, in fact, succeeded Campanaro as River Hill’s feature back . . . Rushed for 1,220 yards and 15 touchdowns on 137 carries as a senior, averaging nearly nine yards per carry . . . Led the county in rushing . . . Had 12 receptions for 251 yards and three scores . . . Made 25 tackles to go with three interceptions while being named to the all-county team . . . Named first team all-state and first team All-Met at cornerback . . . Named the Columbia Flier/Howard County Times Offensive Player of the Year as a senior . . . Two-year starter on both sides of the ball for Coach Brian Van Deusen . . . Helped the Hawks to 2A state championships in 2007 and 2008 . . . Team moved to Class 3A in 2009 and lost in the state semifinal . . . The loss in the state semifinals snapped a 40-game winning streak . . . Had three receptions for 85 yards and three touchdowns as a junior . . . Recorded 50 tackles, three interceptions and scored six touchdowns in 2008 . . . A preseason All-Met by the Washington Post as a kick returner . . . Was part of a River Hill defense that recorded 11 shutouts in 2007, five in 2008 and five more in 2009 . . . Played in the Crab Bowl that pits the top high school players in an all-star game between Maryland’s and Washington D.C.’s top players . . . The 2008 team finished 23rd in the nation in the final USA Today high school poll . . . The Hawks were 47-3 during his four varsity seasons . . . Runs a 4.49 40 . . . Son of Kevin and Judy Johnson . . . Born Aug. 5, 1992 . . . Both parents graduated from Howard University . . . Also recruited by Wisconsin and West Virginia . . . Recruited by Brad Lambert.

“Kevin has been a big part of the River Hill football program for the last four years. He has been a shut-down corner and big-play running back and kick returner for us. He has great quickness and athleticism that will help him be a great cornerback on the next level. Kevin was a leader on our state championship teams and we look forward to watching him continue to improve and be a big part of the Wake Forest football program.” -- River Hill Head Coach Brian Van Deusen

Nick Knott RB 5-10 170 Wylie, TX/Wylie

The addition of Nick Knott gives Wake Forest three former Wylie Pirates on the roster . . . The brother of Deacon WR Chris Givens and HS teammate of LB Nikita Whitlock . . . Co-MVP of the 2009 Pirates team . . . Carried 152 times for 1,021 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009 . . . 2009 preseason all-state pick in 5A by 5ATexasFootball.com . . . Unanimous first team All-District 8-5A as a senior . . . Rushed for 131 yards (including a 65-yard touchdown run) and added a 99-yard kickoff return for a score in a 50-21 win over Plano West . . . Named to the 5ATexasFootball.Com All-Junior team as a running back in 2008 . . . As a junior, helped the Pirates to a 13-3 record and the 5A state title game where they lost to Katy 17-3 . . . Scored three touchdowns in a playoff win against Cedar Hill as a junior . . . Rushed for 142 yards in a state semifinal against Copperas Cove . . . Had a 79-yard touchdown catch and a 55-yard scoring run in a state semifinal win over Arlington Bowie in 2008 . . . A two-year starter at tailback, rolled up 2,523 career yards on 345 carries for an average 7.3 yards per carry . . . Played for Coach Bill Howard . . . Son of Nicole Givens . . . Born March 31, 1991 . . . Also received offers from Arkansas, Ole Miss and Kansas.

“Nick had a huge impact on our team as a player and as a leader. Nick rushed for over 2500 yards in the past 2 season and average 7.5 Yards ever time he carried or caught the ball. Nick blocked punts and return kickoffs, and was the best cover man on kickoffs.Nick was voted Captain and served on our Captain’s Council his Jr and Sr Year. Nick will be missed.” --Wylie High School Head Coach Bill Howard

A.J. Marshall CB 5-11 180 Durham, NC/So. Durham

A potentially outstanding defensive back from Southern High in Durham . . . Had 75 tackles, four interceptions and 20 pass break-ups as a junior . . . Received the Extra Effort award from WRAL-TV . . . Rated one of the top 20 players in North Carolina by the Fayetteville Observer . . . Named to the High School OT all-state defense first team in 2009 . . . Collected 75 tackles, four interceptions and 20 pass break-ups as a junior . . . Rated the No. 9 cornerback in the nation by Tom Lemming . . . Rated the No. 9 prospect in the state and the 22nd-best defensive back recruit in the country by Rivals . . . Rated the No. 19 player in the state by the Charlotte Observer . . . SuperPrep ranked him as the No. 20 player in the state . . . A preseason all-state pick by the Charlotte Observer . . . Selected to the Champion Gridiron Kings by ESPN Rise . . . Played for North Carolina in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas . . . Helped the NC team post a 24-14 win over the Sandlappers . . . Led the Spartans to a 10-2 record in 2009 and a No. 1 seed in 4A East playoffs . . . Team was ranked eighth in the state in the final regular season poll . . . Member of the National Honor Society . . . Played on the 2001 Pop Warner national championship team . . . Son of Athan Marshall, Sr. and Benita Jenkins . . . Born July 30, 1992 . . . Had more than 15 offers including North Carolina, Oregon, Duke, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, East Carolina, Mississippi State, Baylor, West Virginia, Ole Miss, and Syracuse . . . Recruited by Steve Russ.

“AJ has meant so much to this program. He is a true leader on and off the field with a great future ahead of him. AJ will be truly missed at Southern.” -- Southern Durham High School Head Coach Adrian Jones

Duke Mosby DT 6-2 290 Washington, DC/Woodberry Forest

A native of Washington, D.C. who played at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, VA . . . Team captain . . . Received the Ned McDonald Award as the team’s top lineman . . . Named to the 2009 All-Prep League team as a defensive lineman . . . Earned first team all-state honors as both a junior and senior . . . Rated as the 21st-best prospect in Virginia and the No. 78 defensive line recruit in the country by Rivals . . . Ranked No. 22 in the state by SuperPrep . . . Helped lead the Tigers to three consecutive Prep League championships . . . Played for coach Clint Alexander . . . Woodberry Forest is a member of the Virginia Prep League . . . Helped the Tigers go 8-1 in 2009 and finish ranked No. 1 in the state by Virginia Preps.com . . . Was a first team all-state pick by Virginia Preps.com . . . Played on the offensive line in the final game of the year, a 10-3 win over archrival Episcopal High . . . Was also an undefeated heavyweight wrestler and state champion in the shot put . . . Son of Deloise Mosby . . . Born July 9, 1991 in Washington, D.C . . . Full name is Delante Deangelo Mosby . . . Recruited by Brad Lambert.

“Duke was a physical force for us on defense the last three years as a defensive tackle and nose guard. Duke has great mobility which allowed us to drop him into coverage at times. Our defense has been the No. 1-ranked defense in the state the last two seasons and Duke was a major reason for that. He was our leading tackler as a junior and this season finished the season as the fourth leading tackler. Duke is also an outstanding leader who is quickly followed by his teammates because of his strong values and character. Duke is a winner.” -- Woodberry Forest Head Coach Clint Alexander

Merrill Noel CB 5-10 180 Pahokee, FL/Pahokee

Joins Wake Forest from Pahokee, Fla. . . . Named first team all-area by the Palm Beach Post . . . First team All-Palm Beach County in Class 2A-2B-1A . . . Had 65 tackles, six sacks and four interceptions as a senior . . . Returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown in the Muck Bowl against Glades Central . . . Played for a Pahokee dynasty that won three straight state titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008 . . . Played for Coach Blaze Thompson . . . Rivals.com rated Noel as the No. 95 prospect in Florida and the 63rd-best defensive back nationally . . . SuperPrep ranked Noel as the No. 72 prospect in the state . . . Clocked at 10.5 in the 100m . . . Born Sept. 10, 1991 . . . Son of Merrill Noel, Sr. and Frantoria Green . . . Was raised by his mother and grandmother, Gayle Love . . . Had recruiting offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and West Virginia . . . Recruited by Ray McCartney.

“Pound for pound, Merrill Noel was our toughest player. He was the captain of our team and he led by both his actions and his words.” -- Pahokee High School Head Coach Blaze Thompson

Tanner Price QB 6-2 190 Austin, TX/Westlake

The lone quarterback in Wake Forest’s 2010 recruiting class . . . Helped Austin, Texas Westlake High to the state 5A Division I championship game . . . Led Westlake to a 13-3 record as a senior including a 41-38 overtime loss in the 5A state championship game to USA Today No. 23 Euless Trinity . . . Threw for 250 yards and rushed for 92 yards on 20 carries in the championship game . . . Threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 103 yards and two scores in a semifinal win over Katy Cinco Ranch . . . Named second team All-Centex . . . Was District 25-5A offensive MVP . . . Also earned academic all-state honors . . . Helped Westlake to the state quarterfinals as a junior while throwing for 2,302 yards and 15 touchdowns . . . Rated as the No. 35 quarterback prospect in the country by Rivals.com . . . Played for coach Darren Allman . . . Three-year letterwinner for the Chaps . . . Son of Steve and Stacey Price . . . Born May 17, 1991 in Racine, WI . . . His father was a quarterback at Southwest Oklahoma State . . . Attended the same high school as New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees, University of Arizona QB Nick Foles and Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street . . . Chose Wake Forest over offers from Stanford, Rice, Tulsa, Louisiana Tech, Columbia, Harvard, and Dartmouth . . . Recruited by Tim Billings.

“Tanner has been a great leader in the Westlake program. He had an outstanding season, leading our team to the Class 5A state championship game. He was voted the district’s Most Valuable player on offense, and he broke the single season record at Westlake for total yardage in a single season. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and threw for over 2,000 yards. He will make an immediate impact at Wake Forest both on the field and in the locker room.” -- Austin Westlake High School Head Coach Darren Allman

Colin Summers OG 6-4 310 Raleigh, NC/Broughton

An outstanding offensive line prospect with good size . . . Played at Needham Broughton High in Raleigh . . . Three-year captain for the Capitals . . . Team MVP and most outstanding lineman . . . Received the club’s sportsmanship award . . . All-Cap 7 Conference selection . . . Played for Coach Chris Martin . . . Selected by the Carolina Panthers as a Community Captain in 2009 . . . The program recognizes high school students in the Carolinas who excel in the community, the classroom and on the field . . . Named to the All-High School OT team . . . Rated the No. 41 player in North Carolina by the Fayetteville Observer . . . Son of Cliff and Muriel Summers . . . Born May 5, 1992 . . . Plays four instruments including the guitar, violin, viola and ukulele . . . Chose Wake Forest over Virginia and Duke . . . Recruited by Steve Russ.

“As an offensive lineman, Colin was our MVP on offense. He could change a game as a lineman.” -- Broughton High School Head Coach Chris Martin

Brandon Terry WR 6-5 210 Alpharetta, GA/Alpharetta

Will join the Wake Forest program from Alpharetta, Ga. . . . Has great size for a wide receiver . . . Shared WR duties at Alpharetta with teammate Michael Bennett who is headed to the University of Georgia . . . Caught 22 passes for 500 yards as a junior . . . Was Alpharetta’s offensive team MVP in 2008 . . . Rated as the No. 86 prospect in Georgia by Scout.com . . . Ranked No. 87 in the country by Rivals.com among wide receivers . . . Played for Coach Jason Dukes . . . Also an outstanding track and field athlete . . . Finished fifth in the state at 400m as a sophomore in 2008 with a time of 50.26 . . . Fourth in the state at 400m in 2009 with a 49.03 . . .Ran a 4.49 at camp last summer . . . Son of Rodney and Theresa Terry . . . Both parents graduated from Western Michigan University . . . Born Jan. 20, 1992 . . . Chose Wake Forest over Iowa, Wisconsin, Central Florida, Tulane, Mississippi State, Purdue and Vanderbilt . . . Recruited by Brian Knorr.

“I believe Wake Forest is getting a young man with tremendous physical ability and skills. When you combine this with his outstanding work ethic, and character, I truly believe that if he continues to improve, Brandon will be a game-changer at the next level.” -- Alpharetta High School Head Coach Jason Dukes

Patrick Thompson LB 6-2 200 Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge

Will be one of four players from Stone Bridge High on the 2010 Wake Forest squad . . . Is the twin brother of Zach Thompson and a high school teammate of linebacker Mike Olson and current Wake Forest wide receiver Devon Brown . . . Played for his father, Mickey Thompson, at Stone Bridge High . . . Named to the Washington Post Loudoun All-Extra team in 2007 and 2008 . . .Honorable mention honoree for the 2008 Washington Post All-Met team . . . Set the school record for career passing yards (4,415) and touchdown passes (55) . . . As a junior, helped the Bulldogs to 13 straight wins and the AAA Division 5 state championship . . . As a senior, Stone Bridge won its first 13 games before falling in the state finals . . . Added 2,078 yards passing and 25 touchdowns as a senior . . . Threw three touchdown passes in a season-opening win over West Springfield . . . Rushed for three touchdowns the following week in a win over Robinson . . . Tossed five scoring passes in a win over Marshall including a 47-yarder to his brother Zach . . . Threw four TD passes in one quarter in a win over Loudon Valley . . . Threw for 2,337 yards as a junior in 2007 . . . Threw 30 TD passes during the 2007 season . . . Tossed a school record 99-yad scoring pass in 2007 . . . The Bulldogs won 26 straight games until suffering a loss in the state finals in 2008 . . . Son of Mickey and Kathy Thompson . . . Born Jan. 18, 1991 . . . Recruited by Brad Lambert.

“Patrick gave us a playmaker at the QB position that could handle the pressure of the big games He threw for 300 in the state championship and led us to our first state title. He was 51-4 in his four years of varsity football.” -- Stone Bridge High School Head Coach Mickey Thompson

Daniel Vogelsang DE 6-3 235 Lexington, KY/Lexington Catholic

Graduated from Lexington Catholic in 2009 and sat out the fall semester as a gray shirt before enrolling at Wake Forest in January . . . Regarded as the No. 72 tight end in the nation by Scout.com and the No. 85 tight end by ESPN in 2008 . . . Was a tight end for Coach Bill Letton at Lexington Catholic . . . Had 33 receptions for 380 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior . . . Helped the Knights to three district championships, two regional title and a pair of state championships . . . Honorable mention all-state selection by the Louisville Courier-Journal as a senior . . . Was a second team all-city pick . . . Selected to play in the East-West All-Star game . . . Finished his career as Lexington Catholic’s fourth all-time leading receiver with 91 receptions for 1,011 yards and 11 touchdowns . . . Received the team’s Academic Award as a senior . . . Helped lead the Knights to a 45-10 record during his career including a 14-2 record in the state playoffs . . . Received the U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete award . . . Son of Steve and Cindy Vogelsang . . . Born Sept. 27, 1990 in Paintsville, KY . . . Recruited by Purdue, Vanderbilt, Duke, North Carolina State and Kentucky . . . Recruited by Brian Knorr.

“Daniel is a young man of impeccable character; he meant as much to our program as a role model for younger players as he did on the field. He is truly a physically gifted athlete whose best days are ahead of him. Wake is getting a great player and a terrific young man.” -- Lexington Catholic High School Head Coach Bill Letton