Recruiting Report: Zach Whaley (2018)

<p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Emotional and eye-opening. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">That’s how Prior Lake’s <strong>Zach Whaley</strong> described his personal experience of being a Division I recruit. Whaley is one of the top interior defensive linemen in Minnesota, and was slotted No. 53 in Northstar Football News’ most recent </span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u><strong><a href="http://www.northstarfootballnews.com/2018-prospect-rankings"><span style="color:#B22222">Class of 2018 prospect rankings</span></a></strong></u></span></span><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“I’m trying to enjoy the process, but will be happy when it’s over,” said Whaley via email.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Whaley’s been taking visits to Division I schools around throughout the spring and had coaches from various programs watch him workout at Prior Lake. He began the camp circuit in June, competing at both Minnesota and Iowa’s linemen-only camp. He said he has been hearing from more than a dozen D1 schools. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“Just about every school I have visited has not disappointed myself or my parents as far as the schools and athletic program,” said Whaley, who’s undecided about a potential major or career path in college.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Although Whaley played mostly defensive tackle for the Lakers, the 6-foot-4, 285-pounder is being recruited mostly as an offensive lineman by schools at both the FBS and FCS level. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Whaley received his first scholarship offer from FCS program Stephen F. Austin in early June.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“I was smiling ear-to-ear. That was a great night for myself and my family.” Whaley said. “It was a goal I set back in 10th grade.”  </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Whaley recorded almost 30 tackles last season, including a career-high nine in the Lakers’ opening-round playoff win over Woodbury. He said he’s forgone a lot of his other hobbies and interests to concentrate on football, knowing this is his last season at Prior Lake. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“My complete focus has been on all aspects of football: lifting, technique or academic,” Whaley said. “I train just about every weekend with my brothers at our home gym– a power room in the third stall of our garage.”</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">He said he’s been working the hardest on improving his physical attributes and credited the Prior Lake coaching staff and its strength and conditioning program for helping him develop athletically. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Along with Whaley, coach <strong>Matt Gegenheimer </strong>and Lakers return the likes of </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><strong><a href="http://www.northstarfootballnews.com/news_article/show/791106?referrer_id=891219"><span style="color:#B22222">Jordan Johnson</span></a></strong></span></span></u><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> and <strong>Preston Jelen </strong>from their 6-4 squad last fall. </span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color:#222222"><span style="font-family:arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“We have a great group coming back this year and we have a lot of confidence,” Whaley said. ““I’m going to do everything in my power to be an impact player in every game [next season]. I want our team to win state!”</span></span></span></p>