FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Athletes With Purpose continues to churn out college football talent.
2014 CB Donovan Clark is a prospect the folks at AWP are very excited about.
In the 2013 class, AWP was headlined by five-star linebacker and Notre Dame commit Jaylon Smith. Also developed at the Fort Wayne based training facility were Purdue safety pledge Tyvel Jemison, Indiana receiver commit Isaac Griffith and future Miami (Ohio) receiver Jared Murphy.
Some other past alumni includes three Notre Dame players in tight end Ty Eifert, receiver John Goodman and defensive lineman Tony Springmann. Stanford running back Remound Wright, Michigan State linebacker TyQuan Hammock and Indiana defensive backs Lawrence Barnett and Kenny Mullen are also AWP bred.
AWP president Michael Ledo is excited about his young group as well, and 247Sports visited on Tuesday evening.
Here are notes from the road.
Next Headliners
Donovan Clark, 5-10, 170, CB/WR, Fort Wayne South Side, 2014
The Skinny: Clark emerged as a junior, rushing 143 times for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns. On defense he had 23 tackles and three interceptions. Clark has sub 4.5 speed and is beginning to talk to Indiana and is also on the radar of several schools including Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. Clark’s stock could go way up following the upcoming U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio on Jan. 4.
Ledo Comment: “He’s extremely fast, extremely competitive. He’s going to be one of the top defensive backs in the country. At the defensive back position, he has great technique right now. He’s going to run 4.4. He’s an ultra-competitor, very competitive.”
Drue Tranquill, 6-2, 200, S, Fort Wayne Caroll, 2014
The Skinny: Led Carroll to a sectional championship, earning first team all-conference honors in registering 40 tackles, seven stops for loss and an interception. Tranquill is also a high-end baseball prospect looking to play both sports on the next level.
Ledo comment: “Drue is a kid that just started training with AWP two months ago. I found out his baseball skills at centerfield are very transferrable when being a safety with his hips and hands. I’m excited to see what he does at the Army All-America Combine. He’s going to be a big-time player. A very physical player.”
Noah Wezensky, 6-3, 175, QB, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 2016
The Skinny: Got some game experience under center as a freshman in helping Bishop Luers to a fourth-straight state championship. Has a chance to be one of the top recruits in the state when his time comes and plans to camp at Cincinnati and Notre Dame this summer.
Ledo comment: “Noah has unbelievable upside. Long, rangy kid, has had a lot of hype around him for a long time. He has that leadership and confidence, a kid that has an uncanny ability to be a leader.”
2016 QB Noah Wezensky won a state championship this fall and could grow into one of the state's top prospects over the next three years.
Nathan Braster, 6-5, 230, DE, Fort Wayne South Side, 2014
The Skinny: Had a strong junior season, registering 56 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two fumbles caused and an interception.
Ledo comment: “Super excited about him. Just started training with us a little while ago. He came in 6-5, 215 and now he’s already 230. Nasty film, a real good player, I think he’s going to be a major D-I kid when we get done with him.”
D’Marcus Moon, 6-1, 225, ILB, Fort Wayne North Side, 2014
The Skinny: Played his first three seasons at Bishop Dwenger, including this fall where he rushed for 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns for the typical state power. Moon projects better as an inside linebacker on the next level and is hearing from several schools including Indiana, Iowa and Purdue.
Ledo comment: “I think that he’s a natural middle linebacker. He can run a high 4.5, low 4.6 and can move. I think he’s going to be a big-time middle linebacker.”
Kyle Black, 6-0, 190, S, Fort Wayne Wayne, 2015
The Skinny: A two-year varsity player that has emerged as one of the top players in the Summit Athletic Conference.
Ledo comment: “Kyle Black has the potential to be a great strong safety at the next level. Very physical downhill guy. Very intelligent, strong leadership skills.”
AWP Quick Hitters
More of the area’s top athletes were also on hand on Tuesday.
Fort Wayne Concordia junior quarterback David Morrison was there along with freshman teammates Daniel Sparks and Devin Sparks.
“Morrison had a pretty good year,” Ledo said. “I think he’s a Division-I kid and he’s getting a lot of MAC looks. He’s technically sound, good fundamentals, good accuracy. Daniel Sparks is a young guy that has a lot of potential. Devin is a sure-handed receiver and excellent route runner.”
Black’s Wayne teammates, sophomore cornerback Deion Powers and receiver Keion Powers are two to keep an eye on.
“Deion is a defensive back that could play corner or safety,” Ledo said. “Had a great year for Wayne High School. Very fast, very athletic. Keion is a slot receiver, very quick, gets yards after the catch.”
Tranquill’s younger brother Justin, a sophomore, also had a good year for Carroll this fall.
“I think he’s a safety or corner,” Ledo said. “Very good player.”
Two others to watch at Bishop Luers are junior running back JyQuel Jemison and junior cornerback Chance Young.
“JyQuel, he got a lot of attention at our (summer) camp last year,” Ledo said. “College coaches were like who is that, who is that. He has a lot of potential. Chance, I’m looking for him to hopefully come in and be on our Black team for 7-on-7 this summer.”
Steve Wiltfong is a National Writer for 247Sports. Follow him on Twitter @swiltfong247
- Steve Wiltfong
- National Recruiting Writer - 247Sports