Dorsey went back to Baltimore (MD) this summer to work on his academics so he
could graduate in December. How did that go?
"It went well," added Wayne Dorsey. "I took nine hours and dropped
one class and finished with six hours. That leaves me 20 hours to graduate in
December. I am going to be OK. Almost all of the classes I have left are electives,
so things are looking good."
The one time Virginia Tech signee reported to MS Gulf Coast CC on August 2nd,
and although he was focusing on his academics back home, he reported in good
shape.
"I worked with a trainer back home, so it was not like I was just sitting
around and eating pizza all summer (laugh). The move down to Mississippi was
rough on me last summer during two-a-days, because I was not used to all of that
heat, but this year it did not bother me at all. That was big for me, as I feel
like I was a lot more productive during two-a-days this summer."
What other improvements were made?
"I think my overall knowledge of the game has really improved. I became
more of a student of the game because I take my film sessions more serious now.
I see things differently. I try to dominate my opponents by being more knowledgeable of the game now. I just have a different mindset because I became a student
of the game. I also feel a lot stronger and faster. Overall, I'm just a better
player."
MS Gulf Coast CC is the preseason ranked #2 in the country, and they know all
eyes will be focused on them.
"We know everyone is going to give us their A game, but we feel like we
are ready. We are looking real good. Our offense should be really explosive,
and our defense is going to be faster, overall. We are looking real stingy on
defense. We feel like we are ready for the challenge. We have N' West CC at
home for our season opener on August 27th. We put them out of the playoffs last
year, so we know they are going to be wanting a little revenge."
The preseason All-American was going to stop by Georgia and Ole Miss on his
way down to Mississippi, but those visits never came to fruition.
"I never did get a chance to get down there. I was trying to get my classes
taken care of so I never got to visit. I am trying to get my official visits
lined up. I already have one set with Ole Miss for the Alabama game on October
10th. That is my birthday, so Coach Nutt really wanted to host me on my birthday."
Wayne picked up a few recent scholarship offers and one of those schools
has begun to climb the charts on Dorsey's wish list.
"North Carolina offered me a couple of weeks back. I talked to them for
a while when I was back home. I talked to their defensive coordinator. They want
to bring me in December. I got a letter from Tulsa with an offer too. Oklahoma State offered me as well. North
Carolina wants to bring me up there for a visit, and I am thinking pretty hard
about going up there to check it out."
Coach Butch Davis brings that defensive philosophy which is attractive.
"He coached at Miami when they had that dynasty there. I used to watch them
when I was a little kid. He has North Carolina coming up real fast, almost like
Coach Nutt at Ole Miss, just not on the same pace. Coach Davis is a defensive
coach, and North Carolina has brought in players like Julius Peppers, so I notice things like
that. He told me that I remind him a lot of Julius. That's the only thing that
I see."
Is getting back to the East Coast a preference if possible?
"It really is not important to me at all. I will play in Japan if they
give me a chance to showcase me on the national stage. But if an opportunity
comes for me to play for a national contender that is close to home, I will
definitely take a look."
One of the SEC schools continues to show Wayne a lot of love.
"I talked to Coach Nutt and Dickerson (from Ole Miss) all summer. They
have been checking up on me and making sure I am doing OK. They just tell me
how interested they are in me and why Ole Miss is a good situation for me with
three of their four ends graduating this year. That is why they are so high
with me. Plus, Coach Dickerson is a real cool guy, and he helps me understand
what Ole Miss is all about and what it would be like if I were to go to school
there."
Who else was in consistent contact over the summer?
"I really can't say because I had my phone off for a long time. Ole Miss
just went through my high school coach back home. That is why they were able
to stay in touch with me. My phone was getting crazy with all of the coaches
calling, but during the summer, it is a dead time because they can't call us.
I still talked to a lot of schools, just not regularly."
Like who?
"I talked to Coach Young at Oklahoma State. He is their defensive coordinator.
The Big 12 has become a pass rushing league because everybody plays out of the
shotgun. That interests me. They are also up there (on my list) now. I want
to take take a look around. I spoke with Iowa State. I spoke with Coach Hendricks
at South Florida. He is a real cool guy. I actually spoke to him a lot this
summer too. I also spoke to Coach Burns at Alabama and Coach (Jay) Hopson
at Michigan."
What did Alabama say?
"We talked a little while about going down there and seeing the campus
for myself. He did not want to tell me anything about it because he said I would
not believe it. He said I would need to see it for myself to know what he was
talking about."
What about Georgia?
"I have just been getting a lot of mail from Georgia, but I have not heard
anything from anybody over there since I left school. I understand because I
know this has been a dead period. My mother told me she had a shoe box full
of mail from them since I left, so they have stayed pretty consistent with
me."
What's going on with Michigan?
"I spoke with Coach Hopson a couple of times over the summer. He wanted
me to come up there and check it out, but I couldn't make it. I will take an
unofficial visit up there if I can, and if I like it, I might go back up there
for an official visit."
Yancy Porter is the Recruiting Analyst for the state of Mississippi and
can be reached at
yporter@scout.com |