WHEELING, W.Va. — With his college decision now behind him, Wheeling Park quarterback Cross Wilkinson is turning his focus to his upcoming senior year as the Patriots look for another deep playoff run.
Wilkinson earlier this month gave his verbal commitment to Toledo, ending the recruiting process for one of the state’s best prospects in the Class of 2018.
The Rockets were the first to offer Wilkinson — and that early foresight from Toledo paid off.
“It’s been a year now that I’ve known the coaching staff there and been in contact with them,” Wilkinson said. “I built a relationship with them and the whole staff. That was huge for me and my family – I’m really comfortable there and they have a great program that’s on the upside.”
After the coming season, Toledo will lose senior quarterback Logan Woodside who currently holds the school’s career record for passing efficiency and is second in passing touchdowns (65).
Presuming a potential redshirt in year one with the Rockets, Wilkinson as a redshirt-freshman in 2019 would be in the mix of a group of quarterbacks competing for playing time or even a starting role.
“I have a really good chance of playing early or for multiple years,” Wilkinson said. “With Woodside leaving, they may not have the next guy on campus yet. I have a great opportunity to play and that’s a great reason why I chose Toledo.”
There’s also the chance Wilkinson could enroll early in December to go through spring practice in 2018.
Wilkinson made his name known statewide during his sophomore season at Wheeling Park, helping lead the Patriots to the Class AAA state championship by throwing for 2,249 yards and 27 touchdowns.
With a retooled group of guys around him last year, Wilkinson followed with a strong junior season, posting 1,792 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.
“The coaching staff at Toledo says I fit their system perfectly, like Woodside does right now,” Wilkinson said. “I like them and they like me because I fit what they want. They really like my arm strength and ability to lead. This year, I will keep perfecting my mechanics, footwork and poise in the pocket – I can always improve my leadership skills, too.”
Wilkinson had nine Division I offers overall as he went with Toledo over Marshall, Ball State, Western Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia State, Princeton, Columbia and Dartmouth.
There was also significant interest from Power Five schools, including WVU.
“I went to multiple WVU games over the past year and was an MVP at a camp there,” Wilkinson said. “I got to know Coach Holgorsen really well and liked it there. But they said they were going to wait until the end of the summer about me.
“I really enjoyed the recruiting process and as a football player you dream for the chance to do it,” he continued. “But it got to the point that I just wanted to make a decision. Recruiting gets pretty crazy this time of the year and I wanted to get (my decision) made so that I can focus on Wheeling Park football and spend the summer with my guys and my family. I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”
So, for now, it’s back to Wheeling Park football as the Patriots opened up summer practices earlier this week.
With multiple returning players in the mix, Wilkinson will have another new offensive weapon around him as running back Donnie Evans moved to the Wheeling area after winning a 5A state championship last year with Aledo High School in Texas.
“I think it’s going to be a really positive year,” Wilkinson said. “We have a lot of returning starters and we’re looking to make another run at a state championship – that’s a main goal for myself and the rest of us seniors, to go out right.”