Feb. 6, 1998
Individual Notes on Demon Deacon 1998 Recruits
KENNETH BAILEY -- 5'11 190 -- Running Back -- Charlton County HS / Folkston, GA
Fast and durable runner who set a school record with 267 carries in 1997 … rushed for 1,887 yards in 12 games (157 per game) and scored 21 TDs … named regional player of the year and an all-state selection by the Atlanta Constitution … also member of 4x100 relay unit in track.
TIM BENNETT -- 6'4 275 -- Offensive Lineman -- Fort Cherry HS / McDonald, PA
A regional All-America selection by Super Prep magazine … played on both sides of the ball but figures to begin his WFU career on offense … 1st-team all-state and a member of western Pennsylvania "Fab 22" all-star squad … an outstanding wrestler, too … father Terry played on 1970 Wake Forest ACC championship team.
MATT BRENNIE -- 6'2 185 -- Punter -- Highland HS / Highland, NY
Outstanding prospect as a punter … averaged 47 yards per punt as a senior after being named 2nd team all-state in 1996 … also played quarterback for his high school squad … first became familiar with Wake Forest as an attendee at the school's summer football camp.
FABIAN DAVIS -- 5'11 175 -- Wide Receiver -- J. L. Mann HS / Greenville, SC
The only wide receiver prospect in this year's recruiting class … named to Charlotte Observer "Top 25" list in South Carolina … caught 52 passes for 850 yards and 9 TDs as a senior in earning all-state honors … also a standout at defensive back, intercepting 22 passes during his career … played in Shrine Bowl at both positions.
ELLIOT IVEY -- 6'0 185 -- Defensive Back -- Cazenovia Central HS / Cazenovia, NY
An outstanding running back and defensive back … named all-state as a defensive player and all-region for his offensive skills … ran for more than 3,500 yards (1,426 in 1997) and scored 56 TDs (29 in 1997) during his career … likely to begin his WFU career on the defensive unit, though.
ED KARGBOOKOROGIE -- 6'3 207 -- Linebacker -- Strake Jesuit College Prep / Meadows, TX
An all-state running back as a sophomore and junior and one of the Houston area's premier performers … rushed for nearly 2,700 yards before missing half of senior year with a broken arm … figures to play linebacker at Wake Forest … ran track and was a basketball teammate of WFU hoops signee Broderick Hicks.
JAMES MacPHERSON -- 6'2 185 -- Quarterback -- Mountain View HS / Tucson, AZ
Named 1st team all-southern Arizona as a quarterback … threw for more than 4,000 yards in two years as a starter while also rushing for over 700 yards … completed 56% of his passes during that time … played baseball as well, possessing an 88-mph fastball as a pitcher.
BILLY WADE McCOOL -- 6'3 280 -- Offensive Lineman -- North Florida Christian HS / Tallahassee, FL
A 1st team all-state selection and all-region pick as a senior … nominated for both the North-South and Florida-Georgia all-star games to be played later this year … will likely play offensive line as he begins his Demon Deacon career.
OVIE MUGHELLI -- 6'2 200 -- Fullback -- Porter-Gaud School / Charleston, SC
Three-time all-conference pick and the South Carolina "Player of the Year" among private schools in 1997 … scored 29 TDs as a senior and rushed for more than 4,500 yards during his career (including 2,167 yards as a senior) … chosen his team's MVP three consecutive seasons, too.
CALVIN PACE -- 6'6 225 -- Defensive End -- Lithia Springs HS / Douglasville, GA
Named to all-metro team in Atlanta area after making 90 tackles and forcing 5 fumbles as a senior … also chosen as his county's defensive player of the year … started since his sophomore year … potential to become an excellent pass-rusher as he adds strength and weight.
JAMIE SCOTT -- 6'0 195 -- Running Back -- Concord HS / Concord, NC
Rushed for 5,603 yards during his career to break Cabarrus County record for career rushing yards held by Natrone Means … named to Shrine Bowl after gaining 2,072 yards and scoring 21 times … also on Charlotte Observer "Top 25" list in North Carolina … son of former Deacon linebacker Tony Scott.
MONTIQUE SHARPE -- 6'3 235 -- Defensive End -- Dunbar HS / Washington, DC
An all-metro performer in the Washington, DC area as a defensive lineman … selected as his team MVP as a senior … a preseason prep All-American as well … had 18 catches and 3 TDs as a tight end while excelling as a blocker … 89 tackles with 16 sacks as a defensive end.
WALTER SIMMONS -- 6'0 190 -- Defensive Back -- Benedictine Military School / Savannah, GA
A 1st team all-region selection and the top individual player in the Savannah area (as chosen by the Savannah News) … played both defensive back and running back, though will likely work on the defensive side initially as a Deacon … member of track squad (sprint relays) with outstanding speed.
RODERICK STEPHEN -- 6'4 225 -- Defensive End -- Thomas Dale HS / Colonial Heights, VA
Much-honored defensive player who could develop into an excellent pass rusher … 2nd team all-state and 1st team all-region and all-metro (Richmond) as a senior … three-year starter at defensive tackle with 56 total stops, including 6 sacks, this past fall … also played tight end where he was used primarily as a blocker.
RAYMOND THOMAS -- 6'4 225 -- Tight End -- St. Thomas More School / Hamilton, Ontario
Considered one of the top prospects in Canada this past fall … only individual to make 1st team all-Ontario on both offense and defense … team MVP as a senior … graduated from high school this past fall and has already enrolled at WFU and will take part in 1998 spring drills.
MANSANORI TOGUCHI -- 6'3 270 -- Offensive Lineman -- Olympic HS / Charlotte, NC
Promising young offensive lineman with size and athletic ability … earned all-conference and all-county recognition as a senior … made 61 tackles as a defensive lineman … product of same high school that sent standout receiver Thabiti Davis to Wake Forest.
