We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Wesleyan football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.
2021 Stats
- Overall Record: 8-4
- Points Scored: 288
- Points Against: 167
Key Losses
The Wesleyan Wolves will have to replace their key offensive, defensive, and special teams player as they move up to Class AAA. Quarterback Jett Miller has graduated, and he leaves behind quite a legacy at Wesleyan, with 2,355 yards passing and 20 TDs through the air, practically all of that last season. He completed 61% of his passes along the way, also.
Punter/kicker Brooks Sturgeon was a weapon during his time with the Wolves, and he is taking those talents to NC State University. As a punter, he averaged 40.4 yards per punt, and as a kicker, he connected on 70 of 73 PATs. He nailed 29 of 36 FG attempts, with his longest coming from 50 yards.
DB Drew Ball was a defensive leader who is headed to William and Mary to continue his football career. While at Wesleyan, he had 155 tackles with nine INT, and he recovered two fumbles, one of which he returned for a TD. He also had a receiving TD, and one of his 9 interceptions was returned for a pick-6. OL/DL Matthew Brown will not be back in 2022.
Who’s Back
Senior ATH Will Tucker is back, and he brings a ton of production with him to his senior season. Heading into his final year with the Wolves, he has 958 yards rushing with eight TDs, along with 380 receiving yards and three TDs. He is also a main contributor on special teams with 409 kickoff return yards and a blocked field goal. On defense, he has 81 tackles with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Fellow senior and also an ATH returning to Wesleyan in 2022 is Thomas Cook, who has 32 receptions with three TDs and 430 yards receiving. Defensively, he has two picks, one that he returned for a TD. He will be counted on again to return kicks this year.
WR Reed Purcell is back to play receiver and on defense. He has 392 combined receiving and rushing yards, plus two INT with one returned for a TD. TE/LB Trent Debow, OL/DL Charlie Rickell, OL/DL Max Ledbetter and TE/DL Nick Schaller are all returning this season as well.
What To Expect
Wesleyan will make a sizeable jump from 5A Private to 7-AAA, where they will be in the same region with the mountain schools including Gilmer, Dawson County, and White County. They lose one of the best kicker/punters in Brooks Sturgeon, and solid players in DB Drew Ball and QB Jett Miller. But Franklin Pridgen begins his 17th season as the head coach, and he says he really likes this group. “They are a hard-working group and they are ready for the challenge of heading into the bigger region,” said the veteran head coach.
Prediction
Wesleyan will hold their own in this region. Nine wins in 2022.
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