The McNabb Report: Wake Forest's Wylie Connection

Wylie-Wake Connection Grows
Wylie running back Nick Knott committed this week to Wake Forest for the Class of 2010. He’s following his brother Chris Givens who signed with the Deacons in 2008 and 2009 signee Nikita Whitlock, the Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year.

Next season, Knott will be a major component of Wylie’s backfield as the Pirates try to make a comparable run to 2008’s Class 5A Division II state final effort. As a junior Knott was Wylie’s leading rusher with 1,372 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns.

At 5-10, 165, Knott was recruited by Wake as an athlete. Depending on how he grows, he could be a running back, inside receiver or defensive back. He was recruited by Wake secondary coach Tom Billings.

Wake Forest has established itself as a top national program and recruiting North Texas has been a noticeable piece of the program. Knott will be Wake’s fifth North Texas player in the last three recruiting classes. Colleyville Heritage OL Ryan Britt and Plano’s Kevin Smith (moved from WR to DE for Wake) both signed two years ago.

Wake had a decided advantage when it came to Knott, who’s always wanted to play on the same team with his older brother.

"I had already decided on it, but Chris pushed me to go ahead and commit," Knott told deaconsillustrated.com. ""Chris and I played against each other a lot growing up, we were never on the same team. To be able to play together would be amazing.

"Another reason why I committed is because of the feel; Wake feels like Wylie. We're 5A, but we're not big 5A, it's a tight knit community. If you're on the football team, people around town know you, and that's how I feel it is at Wake."

Jesuit DE Commits to OU
Jesuit defensive end Chuka Ndulue, whose recruiting stock skyrocketed this spring, committed to Oklahoma last Friday. The Sooners made a spring offer to the 6-3, 240-pounder who played sparingly last season because of ankle injuries. Once, Oklahoma coaches watched Ndulue (N-do-lu-way) this spring, they offered. UT assistant coach Bobby Kennedy made a hurried visit to Jesuit’s spring game last Wednesday but the Horns decided not to offer as they’ve already got a commitment from Haltom DE Reggie Wilson, Tyler DT Ashton Dorsey and Houston St. Pius DE Greg Daniels. The Longhorns also are holding an offer open for Plano West DE Jackson Jeffcoat and the numbers game in an overflowing Texas class for 2010 was the biggest obstacle in offering Ndulue.

Ndulue is OU’s 10th commit and he joins a list with North Texans _ Flower Mound Marcus NG Daniel Noble,  Lancaster DB Quentin Hayes, Irving Nimitz DB Eddrick Loften, Skyline WR Joe Powell and Cedar Hill OL Adam Shead.