Wake Forest Athletics
Football Inks 17 Prep Standouts to 2001 Signing Class
2/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 7, 2001
2001 Signees | Jim Grobe Quotes
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Head football coach Jim Grobe has signed his first recruiting class at Wake Forest University, as 17 prep players have signed national letters-of-intent to play football for the Demon Deacons next fall.
Grobe and his staff, spearheaded by assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Ray McCartney, have assembled a class that includes six linemen, four linebackers, three defensive backs, two quarterbacks, two wide receivers and two running backs.
The 2001 signees represent eight different states. Florida and North Carolina lead the way, both with four, while Virginia is home to three of the signees. Grobe, who previously served as head coach at Ohio University before coming to Wake Forest in December, also signed two recruits from the state of Ohio. Members of the 2001 class also hail from Tennessee, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
Four high school state championships and six state finalists are represented by the members of this class. The newest group of Demon Deacons also includes eight all-state selections as well as the Virginia Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Nick Smith of Centreville High School (Sterling, Va.).
"I think we have helped ourselves with this recruiting class," said coach Grobe. "I am pleased that we were able to find some quality kids in such a short amount of time. Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes in the first year of transition and we were careful not to just add numbers to the roster. We feel that all of the players in this class will fit into our scheme very well."
In addition to Smith, Florida prep standouts Cornelius Birgs, a running back out of Boyd Anderson High School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), and quarterback Cory Randolph from Columbia High School (Lake City, Fla.), highlight Wake Forest's class on the offensive side of the ball. Both all-state selections, Birgs and Randolph were highly recruited in the state of Florida as well as on the national level. A first-team All-Florida pick, Dominic Anderson (Hollywood, Fla.) of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, joins the Wake Forest roster as a running back. Greg Adkins (Lakeland, Fla.), Craig Jones (Garland, Texas) and center Kreg Rotthoff (Massillon, Ohio) add depth on the Deacons' offensive line.
Defensively, the Deacons welcome a pair of ends from DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Md.) - Jason Finklea and Arthur Orlebar. Wake Forest has also signed a quartet of linebackers, including Chris Owen (Forest, Va.), Jason Pratt (Hixson, Tenn.), Recorian Stukes (Wilmington, N.C.) and Garrett Young (Zanesville, Ohio). A highly-regarded North Carolina prospect, South View High School's Robert Simmons (Hope Mills, N.C.) joins the Deacon defensive backs unit.
Maurice Moten (Statesville, N.C) and Cassiel Smith (Woodcliff Lake, N.J.) bring additional athleticism to the Wake Forest lineup, as both played wide receiver and defensive back during their prep careers. Moten also excelled as a kick returner, while Smith handled some placekicking.
Wake Forest also gained a player from its own backyard, with the signing of Winston-Salem native Goryal Scales. Scales was a standout at Carver High School, earning all-state honors this past season.
The Wake Forest 2001 football season kicks off on September 1, when the Deacons travel to Greenville to take on in-state rival East Carolina. Wake's home opener is the following week in Groves Stadium, as the Deacs host Appalachian State on Sept. 8.
GREG ADKINS
OL * 6-3 * 265 * Lakeland, FL * Lake Gibson High School
Earned first-team all-county and all-district honors by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association as both a junior and a senior ... tabbed a second-team all-state selection ... also recruited by several teams as a deep snapper ... served as the starting tackle for the 8-4 Braves in 2000 and was the team's long snapper on punts and field goals ... also played at the guard position ... voted his team's Outstanding Lineman three straight seasons ... led Lake Gibson to its first-ever appearance in the Class 3A Region 3 finals in 2000.
Lake Gibson coach Dave Damron on Adkins: "Wake Forest is getting a heck of a player, and most of all, a great young man. He's a relentless worker who is a student of the game. He's very driven to succeed on the next level. I loved coaching him."
DOMINIC ANDERSON
RB * 6-0 * 190 * Hollywood, FL * St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Earned first-team All-Florida honors after a junior campaign in which he rushed for 1,350 yards and seven touchdowns ... led his team to the state championship game as a junior, rushing for 179 yards in the title game ... ran for 871 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior despite missing nearly half the season with an ankle injury ... also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 321 yards and three TDs as a senior ... led St. Thomas Aquinas to a 14-1 record and a return appearance in the state championship game his senior season ... was actually part of a state championship squad in three out of his four years with the Raiders ... also a standout track performer at St. Thomas Aquinas ... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds ... named one of the top 100 Florida recruits by the Orlando Sentinel ... picked No. 99 overall and ninth out of Florida running backs by Blue Chip Recruiting.
St. Thomas Aquinas coach Gevase Smith on Anderson: "Dominic is a great football player and even a better person. He is a great role model for all St. Thomas Aquinas athletes and will be a great addition to the Wake Forest football family."
CORNELIUS BIRGS
RB * 5-10 * 198 * Ft. Lauderdale, FL * Boyd Anderson High School
A second-team all-state selection who completed his senior season as Broward County's second-leading rusher, totaling 1,741 yards on 203 carries ... scored 17 touchdowns as a senior ... had a stellar game versus Ft. Lauderdale Douglas, tallying 283 yards ... tabbed to the All-Broward County and all-conference first teams ... selected for the Broward County North vs. South and Broward-Dade All-Star games ... compiled 659 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, ranking seventh in the county ... named one of the top 100 Florida recruits by the Orlando Sentinel... also a standout performer on the track, earning All-Broward County honors ... member of the Florida state championship squad as a sophomore ... runs a 4.4 40-yard dash and clocked a 10.59 100-meters as a junior ... is the top-ranked sprinter in the state of Florida heading into his senior track season ... was recruited by Missouri, Auburn, LSU and Mississippi State before selecting Wake Forest.
Boyd Anderson coach Ken Scott on Birgs: "Cornelius is one of the finest young people I have ever been associated with. He was a great team leader who was our `go-to guy'."
JASON FINKLEA
DE * 6-5 * 258 * Wheaton, MD * DeMatha Catholic High School
A big and quick defensive player who is difficult to block ... an All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) selection ... named to the All-Gazette team (Prince George County) ... also named to the Washington Post All-Metro squad ... a two-year starter on a team that went 22-2 over those two seasons and captured the WCAC championship in 2000 ... set a new school record with six sacks in a regional playoff game as a senior ... tallied 38 sacks during his prep career ... is Rivals' #58 rated defensive tackle and PrepAtlantic Recruiting's #13 rated player in the state of Maryland ... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds and benches 340 lbs. ... one of two players from DeMatha Catholic in this year's signing class.
CRAIG JONES
OL * 6-1 * 280 * Garland, TX * Garland High School
Named to the Texas Sportswriters Association All-State team ... also named to the Fox 4 All-Area team, the Dallas Morning News All-Metro squad and the DFW All-Metroplex team ... also an all-district pick ... his Garland HS team recorded a 32-6 record during Jones' three years on varsity and captured the Texas 5A state championship in 1999 ... helped squad set four school offensive records during championship season ... a team captain who started 32 games in his high school career ... tallied 123 pancakes and graded out at over 90% for his career ... named Garland's Lineman of the Year as a junior and senior.
Garland coach Joe Martin on Jones: "Great leader, team captain, intelligent and intense. His motor is running all the time whether it's a practice or a game."
MAURICE MOTEN
WR/CB * 6-0 * 164 * Statesville, NC * West Iredell High School
A versatile player who saw action on both sides of the ball in addition to handling punt/kick return duties for West Iredell ... totaled 29 receptions for 587 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... set a school record with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and returned a punt for a TD ... averaged 22.3 yards per kick return ... also recorded five interceptions ... an All-District 7 and all-conference selection ... selected to play in the East/West All-Star game ... caught 28 catches for 540 yards as a junior ... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds.
West Iredell coach Mark Weychker on Moten: "Maurice has been our big-play guy the last two seasons. His athletic ability gives him the opportunity to make big things happen every time he touches the football."
ARTHUR ORLEBAR
DE * 6-4 * 245 * Sterling, VA * DeMatha Catholic High School
An All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) selection ... also named to the All-Gazette team (Prince George County) and was an All-Private School team selection... a gifted athlete who has only played football for two years as he originally went to DeMatha as a basketball player ... helped lead team to an 11-1 record and the WCAC Championship as a senior ... totaled 95 tackles, 12 sacks and 79 first hits during his senior campaign ... squats 475 pounds, has a 30-inch vertical leap ... runs a 4.7 40-yard dash ... one of two players from DeMatha Catholic in this year's signing class.
CHRIS OWEN
LB * 6-2 * 215 * Forest, VA * Jefferson Forest High School
A three-time All-Seminole District selection at defensive back and two-time All-Seminole District selection at running back ... named to the Lynchburg News and Advance All-Area first team ... listed among Virginia's Top 35 college prospects by the Roanoke Times ... carried the ball 100 times for 698 yards, averaging 7.0 yards per carry and scoring eight touchdowns ... also had five receptions for 135 yards ... recorded 93 total tackles and collected two interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.
JASON PRATT
LB * 6-0 * 210 * Hixson, TN * Hixson High School
An athletic player who has only participated in organized football for two years ... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds ... recorded 52 tackles as a defensive end for the Wildcats ... tallied 10 tackles for loss and four sacks during his senior season ... also blocked a punt ... served as a kick returner for Hixson as well ... benches 300 pounds and squats 400 pounds.
Hixson coach Dan Duff on Pratt: "Jason is a quiet kid that will not only be a great athlete, but a great student and someone that Wake Forest will be proud to have in its program."
CORY RANDOLPH
QB * 6-1 * 180 * Lake City, FL * Columbia High School
Rated the nation's 100th best quarterback prospect coming out of high school ... a two-time second-team All-Florida selection ... completed 75 of 132 passing attempts for 1,570 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior ... compiled 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior ... recruited by Florida and Central Florida before selecting Wake Forest.
KREG ROTTHOFF
C/LS * 6-3 * 275 * Massillon, Ohio * Washington High School
A first-team Northeast Ohio selection ... also was a second team Division I All-Ohio football team selection ... named to the All-Stark County team ... first team All-Northeast Inland District ... participated in the North-South and Big 33 All-Star games ... served as a team captain and was a three-year starter ... received the team's top offensive lineman award the past two seasons... also lettered in swimming and track & field ... was a state qualifier in swimming and in the shotput and discus events ... runs a 5.1 40-yard dash and benches 325 pounds.
Washington coach Rick Shepas on Rotthoff: "Kreg is one of the best kids I've ever had. He's a very smart player with a high football IQ. Wake Forest is getting a great athlete but an even better person."
GORYAL SCALES
DL * 6-0 * 265 * Winston-Salem, NC * Carver High School
Pronounced "Joel" ... earned first-team All-North Carolina honors as a senior ... a two-time conference Defensive Player of the Year ... a three-time all-conference selection ... also a two-time All-Northwest pick ... selected for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas All-Star game ... recorded 97 tackles, 12 sacks and five fumble recoveries during his final season ... benches 400 and squats 650 lbs. ... his uncle, Greg Scales, played at Wake Forest in the mid-80s.
Carver coach Keith Wilkes on Scales: "Goryal is a hard worker and the strong, silent leader for our team. He has been a tremendous player to work with over the past four years."
ROBERT SIMMONS
DB * 5-8 * 162 * Hope Mills, NC * South View High School
Named to the Fayetteville Observer Times All-Region team ... also earned first-team all-conference honors after earning second-team all-conference as a junior ... a speedy defensive back who also returned kicks ... tallied 85 tackles as a senior, including 45 solo stops ... intercepted two passes ... also scored three touchdowns ... returned a kickoff 88 yards for a TD his senior year ... helped lead the Tigers to a 14-1 season and the North Carolina 4A state championship game against Charlotte Independence ... rated as one of the Top 10 defensive backs in North Carolina by ihigh.com ... tallied 75 tackles as a junior for the Tigers ... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds.
South View coach Randy Ledford on Simmons: "Robert is not only a great football player, but he is one of the finest young men I have ever coached. He will be an asset to the Wake Forest program."
CASSIEL SMITH
WR/DB * 6-2 * 190 * Woodcliff Lake, NJ * Westwood Regional High School
Named Bergen County's top athlete by the Newark Star Ledger ... a three-time all-league selection at wide receiver ... also named to the Jersey All-Suburban team ... helped lead his high school team to four straight New Jersey state championship games ... Westwood compiled a 41-6 record over Smith's last three seasons and captured the 2000 state title ... a three-year starter at wide receiver who recorded 75 career receptions for over 800 yards and 24 touchdowns ... a two-year starter at defensive back, grabbing 10 career interceptions ... also handled some placekicking duties, scoring two field goals and 25 extra points as a senior ... caught 30 passes for 435 yards and scored four touchdowns last season for the Cardinals ... helped lead his team to a co-championship of the Bergen County Scholastic League American Division and a Group 2, Section 1 finalist ... also played defensive back with 55 tackles as a senior ... lettered in basketball and ran the hurdle events on the track team.
Westwood coach George Digrande on Smith: "Cassiel is a very fine young man. He is an excellent example of what a player should be on and off the field. He's extremely talented, but most of all he's a great team player."
NICK SMITH
QB * 6-1 * 185 * Sterling, VA * Centreville High School
The Offensive Player of the Year in the state of Virginia as a senior ... led his team to the 2000 state title ... considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the region ... ranked as one the country's best prep quarterbacks by Rivals.com ... played quarterback, defensive back and handled some placekicking duties at Centreville ... selected to AP All-State team ... also earned All-Met, all-region, and all-district honors ... threw 44 touchdown passes in his first three years of high school before transferring to Centreville for his senior year where he ran a single-wing offense ... completed 80 of 138 passing attempts for a 57.9 percentage and 1,329 yards ... completed a long pass of 81 yards ... threw for 16 touchdowns and rushed for 1,494 yards (5.4/carry) and 26 touchdowns ... averaged 217.2 yards of total offense a game.
Centreville coach Mike Stinner on Smith: "Nick is a tremendous competitor and a great leader."
RECORIAN STUKES
LB * 6-0 * 245 * Wilmington, NC * E.A. Laney High School
The Wilmington area Defensive Player of the Year as a senior ... also named to the Mideastern 4A All-Conference team ... tallied 102 tackles during his senior campaign ... also grabbed three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown ... also threw one touchdown pass ... was the Southeastern NC player of the year in 2000 ... chosen to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and the East-West All-Star game ... hails from the same high school as current Demon Deacons R.D. Montgomery and Tarence Williams.
Garrett Young
ILB * 6-3 * 220 * Zanesville, OH * Zanesville High School
An honorable mention selection to the Division II All-Ohio football team as a junior and senior ... a first-team all-region and all-district pick both years ... recorded 108 tackles as a junior and 104 as a senior ... selected to the North-South and Big 33 all-star games ... participated on the state playoff team as a freshman ... also a standout and three-year starter in basketball, earning all-district honors as a junior ... averages 10 points and seven rebounds per game ... currently leads the area in three-point field goal percentage ... runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds.
Zanesville coach John Lucas on Young: "Garrett was probably the most physical linebacker I ever coached. He is a tough, hard-nosed kid that would run through a brick wall if you asked him to. He truly loves the game."
