Harrell the newest Demon Deacon
Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit linebacker Anthony Harrell had seen enough and heard enough about Wake Forest to know that was where he belonged. He went ahead and pulled the trigger for the Demon Deacons on Thursday evening.
"I committed last night," Harrell said. "I just felt like it was a great fit for me."
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Harrell personally delivered the news to his future coaches.
"Last night was my in-home visit," Harrell said. "I committed during that. I decided to commit because it seemed like the best thing to do. The head coach, Coach (Jim) Grobe and Coach (Steve) Russ. Coach Grobe was excited, he got up and hugged me."
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker said he had felt confident he would be playing college football in Winston-Salem ever since his early December official visit.
"When I went up there I liked everything," Harrell said. "I felt like it fit me the best out of everybody."
The three-star linebacker said he sees a fit for him in their defense and an opportunity to hit the field early in his career.
"They run the same scheme that I have been running my whole high school career," Harrell said. "That was a big factor.
"I can play early, that is another big factor," Harrell added. "They have graduated a lot of linebackers and need some help inside. So I can come in and play right away. I feel I can do that. That was another big reason."
It doesn't hurt that he has formed a good bond with his future position coach.
"I have a good relationship with Coach (Steve) Russ," Harrell said. "He will be coaching me because he is the linebackers coach. I have the best relationship with him amongst all of the coaches recruiting me."
Harrell, who is fully qualified, said he is completely done with the recruiting process. He will enroll during the summer at Wake Forest. He is not only looking forward to his athletic career at Wake Forest but also the academic opportunities that the school presents.
"They have a great academic system," Harrell said. "It is a good degree when you graduate. That was a big factor."