The Demon Deacons are bringing in a high-quality running back as Jaquez Keyes signs with Wake Forest.
Keyes is a three-star recruit, (247Sports Composite), from Ironton High School in Ironton, Ohio, and is ranked as the 51st running back in the country.
The Recruiting Journey
Keyes had been committed to Wisconsin since mid-May, even though he had yet to make his official visit there. He made a visit in June but decommitted two weeks ago. He promptly got an offer from Wake Forest and took his visit within a couple of days of that. Keyes committed to Wake Forest just three days ago.
While he played on the varsity team for three years at Ironton, 23 of his 26 games were in his last two seasons. He ran for 1,149 yards and 22 touchdowns in his high school career.
In addition to Wisconsin and Wake Forest, Jaquez had another 17 offers from the likes of Pitt, Michigan, Iowa, and Kentucky.
The Running Back Room
At 6-1, 207, he finds the hole in front of him well and has good vision in the open field. While he does not have game-breaking speed he does break through initial contact very well.
Jaquez comes to Wake Forest in the midst of a to-be-determined running back room. Starter Justice Ellison will return. But Dave Clawson has made a system of running back by committee. Christian Turner and Quinton Cooley have both entered the transfer portal. Turner is definitely leaving. He took some visits mandated by schools to be last weekend, thus taking himself out of this week’s Gasparilla Bowl. Cooley has had no other visits as of yet, and could still return to Wake if he wanted. The Demon Deacons also return Will Towns.
Wake’s recruiting class is ranked 48th in the country, a large advance from last year’s 80th ranking.
Main Image courtesy Kenosha News
