3-star WR Markeis Barrett Jr. commits to Wake Forrest

For awhile it looked like Tennessee and Vanderbilt were the teams to beat for Knoxville (Tenn.) Knox Webb three-star wide receiver Markeis Barrett Jr. Then he took a trip Wake Forest.

That lone April 11 trip to Wake Forest was all Barrett Jr. needed as he announced his commitment to the Demon Deacons Monday night. Barrett picked Wake Forest over Arkansas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and others.

“The coaching staff and the genuine love from the first time I visited is why I chose Wake Forest,” Barrett Jr. told On3. “Everything was real with them from day one. I’ve visited them once but they’ve also come to see me in-person.

“They contacted me every day since they offered me and I talk Coach (Dave) Clawson a lot. The love that I felt from the coaching staff and everyone there while I was on campus was like nothing else.”

#AGTG BLESSED TO ANNOUNCE THAT I HAVE COMMITTED TO WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY @CoachAC3 @CoachR_Wake @CoachClawson @WF_FBRecruiting @WakeFB #GoDeacs 🎩 pic.twitter.com/xsdgfyCWAK

— Boski (@BarrettMarkeis) May 2, 2023

With Barrett’s commitment, Wake Forest now has 15 commitments in its 2024 recruiting class. Sitting as the No. 478 player in the country according to the On3 Industry Ranking, Barrett Jr. is also the highest-ranked commitment in the class.

He’s also ranked as the No. 83 wide receiver in the 2024 cycle and the No. 12 player in Tennessee. While he’s not ranked in the 2024 On300, On3 ranks Barrett Jr. as the No. 64 overall player in the country and the No. 16 wide receiver.

“Getting this decision out of the way now takes some pressure off of me,” Barrett Jr. said. “Knowing that I have a spot locked in with a school instead of trying to commit later on and not having that spot was big for me.”

Barrett Jr. excited for what Wake Forest is building

Wake Forest has found plenty of plenty of success on the field since Clawson was hired in 2014. The Demon Deacons have posted winning seasons in seven of the last eight seasons

They’re also just two years removed from an appearance in the ACC championship game.

As much success as they’ve had, Barrett Jr. feels like they’re only getting started. He believes that group that they’re putting together is one that could compete at the top of the ACC.

“I’ve talked a to a few guys already and we’re all on the same page already,” Barrett Jr. said. “We talked about our decisions and what we need to do when we get to campus.

“I’m very excited to help get Wake Forest but to where they were in 2021 and build off of that. I’m going there to compete and win every game.”