Tennessee QB a prime target

Junior to Watch: David Wolke

School: Mt. Juliet (Tenn.) Smyrna HS

Position: Quarterback

Size and speed: Wolke is 6-foot-3, weighs 205 pounds, and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds. He also benches 310 pounds and squats 400.

Statistics: As a junior, he passed for 1,808 yards with 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also rushed for 425 yards and four scores. In three years as a starter, he has thrown for 4,661 yards and 41 TDs.

Honors: Was named the region offensive player of the year and earned honorable mention all-state honors.

Favorite Schools: Tennessee, Florida, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Nebraska.

Skinny: Interest in one of Tennessee’s top quarterbacks is starting to gain momentum heading into May.

David Wolke (6-3, 205, 4.68) is poised for some major scholarship offers coming of a big junior season, according to Smyrna coach Philip Shadowens.

“We think David is going to be one of the better quarterbacks in the nation,” he said. “He’s got all the qualities you look for in a quarterback – he’s tall, very physically strong, can move well, throws the ball on time and accurate, and he’s very intelligent. He understands defenses and coverages, what people are trying to do on that side of the ball.

“We move him around quite a bit in our offense, roll him out, and he can put the ball on the money. He puts a lot of pressure on the defense.”

Shadowens also cited a tremendous work ethic as one of Wolke’s best characteristics.

“He was around 160 pounds as a sophomore, but he’s worked extremely hard to make himself into a real nice college prospect,” said Shadowens, noting Wolke’s 310-pound bench and 400 squat. “He’s one of the hardest workers – if not the hardest – that I’ve ever had.”

Schools showing early interest in the Smyrna star include “almost everyone in the Top 25.”

“Coach (Phil) Fulmer called me two weeks ago to let us know Tennessee was very interested,” Shadowens said. “We’ve also heard a lot from Florida, Vandy, Wake Forest, Michigan, Syracuse, Nebraska, Middle Tennessee. There are others, but we’ll have to wait and see. We’re expecting about 40-50 schools in here the next two to three weeks.”

Are there any early favorites?

“I don’t think so,” Shadowens said. “I don’t think he’s even got a top five list or anything like that. He’s just enjoying all the attention at this point. He’ll end up picking somewhere that’s the best overall fit for him personally.”

In the past, he has attended camps at Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Alabama and Florida State.

Wolke has a 3.3 PGA and has already secured a qualifying score on his tests.