'11 SC WR Charone Peake (Verbal Offer)

[GoRU]

Recruiters catch scent of Peake | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg, S.C.

The 15-year-old blessed with an abundance of natural talent has already introduced himself to the world of college recruiting, and the pursuit has begun.

The news that he already has college suitors was quite bewildering to Dorman freshman receiver Charone Peake after being informed by Cavaliers coach Dave Gutshall.

"I was real surprised and didn't know what to say," said Peake, when told that South Carolina and Clemson had contacted Gutshall about their interest in the youngster. "It just motivates me more to get better. As soon as coach told me, I started working harder at football and in the classroom, too."

Of course it will be a long time before Peake can officially sign with a school and even longer until he suits up at the next level. Coaches aren't allowed to send recruiting materials to a desired player until Sept. 1 of his junior season.

But with recruiting getting more intense each year, schools are always looking to get the jump on their rivals.

"When you have a blue-chipper, and I think he shows all the signs to be that, everybody wants to get in the door early because they know everybody is going to be competing for him," Gutshall said. "Charone hasn't heard personally from either school, it's just through my contact with them."

Peake, the younger brother of former Dorman standout receiver Chad Peake who now plays at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, has the frame and big-play potential to make college recruiters anxiously await his availability.

The 6-foot-3, 170-pounder has outstanding speed and averaged 22.1 yards per catch on his 24 receptions for 530 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

"I don't ever remember having a freshman who got this much interest," Gutshall said. "This is as early as anybody I've ever had."

Gutshall figures Peake can use the info one of two ways - either as a catalyst to work hard on the field and keep his grades up, or he can figure he's already got it made and cruise along.

"I'm not that kind of person to get a big head about things," Peake said. "I've always looked at South Carolina and Clemson because they're close to home, and it's really motivated me to get better. I've got to be patient and keep working hard."

Per an older article, reportedly already has offers from both in-state schools.

[GoRU]

PalmettoSports.com | South Carolina Recruiting | Phil Kornblut | GoUpstate.com

Dorman freshman WR Charon Peake (6-3 185) exploded on the scene last season scoring touchdowns on each of his first five receptions. He went on to catch 25 passes for seven touchdowns according to stats compiled by the High School Sports Report. Peake was impressive enough to land unofficial verbal offers from USC and Clemson according to his coach Dave Gutshall. And Tennessee also is showing strong early interest. "He's the fastest kid on the team," Gutshall said. "He's an explosive receiver. He'll be one of the top receivers in the Southeast by the time he's a senior." That will be in 2010.