Head Coaches Spring Notebook: “The Taft School” PART 4.
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PART 4: Continuing report: I take a closer look at the recruits attending “The Taft School” in Connecticut and share the Head Coaches Tyler Whitley’s notes on each recruit. These notes are a reference to where each recruit is standing within…
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Continue ReadingPART 4: Continuing report: I take a closer look at the recruits attending “The Taft School” in Connecticut and share the Head Coaches Tyler Whitley’s notes on each recruit. These notes are a reference to where each recruit is standing within their recruitment during the spring evaluation period and heading into College Summer Camp season. The notes also include the strengths they have as student-athletes.
James Penkett James Penkett 6’4″ | 300 lbs | OL Taft School Ct. | 2025 State New E 2025 6’4 250 DL/OLTWITTER: @JamesPenkett
Interest: Projects as an FCS player
Head Coaches Notes/Analysis: 2 years of football. Great size. Good get off and excellent motor. Will continue to improve as his strength and experience grows. Will make a big impact this fall.
Highlights
George Sullivan George Sullivan 6’2″ | 175 lbs | P Taft School CT. | 2025 New E 2025 6’2 175 PInterest: High Academic D3/FCS projection.
Head Coaches Notes/Analysis: Long levered punter with natural ability. Works with Brendan Cahill. Also throws javelin in track and field. Should take over the starting job this fall.
Gilbert Kimrin Gilbert Kimrin 6’5″ | 190 lbs | QB The Taft School | 2026 State New E 2026 6’4” 185 QBTWITTER: @GKimrin
Interest: UCONN, UMASS, Wake Forest, Rutgers, Pitt, URI, many more FBS schools
Head Coaches Notes/Analysis: Already a FBS frame. Can easily dunk a basketball. Great running ability, strong arm, but his best attributes are his processing speed and composure. Has a chance to be very special. Will be a 3 year starter for us. Power 5/National Recruit projection. Dad was an NFL kicker and kicked a 65 yard FG in preseason. I think he will gain some FBS traction at the start of this summer.
Highlights
Jude Okeleke Jude Okeleke 6’3″ | 280 lbs | DL The Taft School | 2026 State New E 2026 6’2” 285 DT/OGTWITTER: @JudeOkeleke1
Interest: Notre Dame, UNC, UVA, Duke and many more FBS
Will camp at TCU, SMU, USC, Notre Dame in summer 2023.
Offers: Pitt
Head Coaches Notes/Analysis: Still learning the game, but Jude will be very special. Started every game for us at NG- never played a down of organized football before Taft. Already benches over 365lb and squats over 500. Extremely well built, STRONG and physical. Loves the game and has a drive to succeed. First year wrestling and finished 7th in New England. Also throws Shot Put. Great work ethic. National Recruit projection. It should be a busy summer for Jude.
Jonah Oquendo Jonah Oquendo 6’4″ | 230 lbs | ATH Taft School Ct. | 2026 State New E 2026 6’4” 215 OLB/WRTWITTER: @jonah___20
Interest: UMASS, UCONN
Head Coaches Notes/Analysis: Just turned 15 years old. Major FBS frame. Very good athlete. Physical, can bend. Natural pass catcher. Competitor. Will likely start both ways for us as WR/OLB next year. FBS Projection, potential Power 5.
Will Palmer Will Palmer 6’3″ | 265 lbs | OL The Taft School | 2026 State New E 2026 6’3” 245 OL/DLTWITTER: @will72palmer
Interest: Recruiting just starting
Head Coaches Notes/Analysis: Athletic and physical young lineman that plays with a mean streak. Good feet and technique. Working on getting a stronger lower half. Super bright future. FCS+ projection.