Wardlaw University National POW: Meet Class of 2024 Cade Wolford, an underrated RB from the Buckeye State
High-value Jackson High School ATH recorded 1,570 all-purpose yards, 16 touchdowns in 2021, drawing interest from Eastern Kentucky, Youngstown State, West Virginia State
Jackson, Ohio: Cade Wolford is a 5-foot-10, 191-pound running back hailing from Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio that is drawing interest from Eastern Kentucky, Youngstown State, and West Virginia State.
The Class of 2024 product rumbled to 1,570 all-purpose yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021, registering All-Conference, All-District, All-Area, and All-State honors, leading the Ironmens to an easy first-place finish in the Frontier Football Conference.
The small-town school started their season 2-2, but didn’t falter again until the No. 3 round of the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) Division III (3) playoffs, finally falling to Western Brown, 35-28.
Before their final loss in the postseason, the Ironmen went on an insane seven-game run where they outscored opponents 312-60, and Wolford was a huge part of that success.
Wardlaw University has been keenly scouting student-athletes in the Great Midwest in recent months, including Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and others. This outlet has detected their awesome efforts on the gridiron, and that success has now translated into a national honor, as Wolford has been named our second-ever Wardlaw University National Player of the Week.
His honors follow Samuel Cooper, a dual-threat QB from San Diego, California who recorded over 50 touchdowns and 3,000 yards in 2021. Cooper earned offers from Army and Navy and is garnering interest from Arizona State, Oregon, and Oregon State.
Wolford can be assured that he is in good company, with his name mentioned in the same byline as top student-athletes across the United States.
“I think that schools should consider me, because along with being an athlete and having solid numbers, I work as hard as physically possible, every single day, whether that be mentally or physically. I truly believe I could be a versatile player for an offense and can fit into a run or pass-style offense. I am confident in my abilities to develop as a defensive back or even a linebacker if I can just gain a little bit more size,” Wolford said.
Wolford truly embodies the well-known phrase used to describe those who pursue academics and academics simultaneously: student-athlete. Wolford currently registering a 3.9 GPA and imposes absolutely zero off-field issues.
The blazing-fast prospect runs a 4.53 40-yard dash and 4.08-second shuttle and recorded a 35-inch vertical and 10-foot-3 broad jump.
Wolford could be in for “a season for the books” this fall, especially considering the hard work he constantly contributes during the after-hours of the long and grueling offseason.
In just months following the conclusion of the 2021 season, Wolford has already bulked up, adding 15 pounds of muscle. The student-athlete informed this outlet of that and his efforts to increase his already impressive speed and agility.
The “Buckeye State” prospect also believes that his passion to learn more about the sport’s strategy will propel him to heights never before thought possible. He seeks to soak in as much as he can about X’s and O’s while he can.
An absolute gym rat, Wolford lifts weights 5-6 days per week and works with an agility trainer three days per week. Add that to the time he spends in the classroom, and it might as well be a full-time job.
His ultimate goal is to change gears and become a dual-threat, looking to attain the 1,000-yard mark as both a rusher and receiver.
“I would love to do that and help my team in both of those realms while also contributing to my teammates on defense,” he said.
Wolford prepares to line up in the I-Formation, where the Ironmen will assuredly punch the ball into the end zone in typical, old-school fashion.
The prospect said that he came away very impressed after visiting Youngstown State, watching the Penguins defeat Missouri State at their on-campus venue, Stambaugh Stadium. The Missouri Valley Football Conference school is a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) powerhouse that has won four national titles, a mark only behind North Dakota State (8) and Georgia Southern (6).
Youngstown State President Jim Tressel, former Ohio State head coach, engineered all four national championships for the Penguins. The Buckeyes’ legend time “well-spent” at the school 173 miles northeast of Columbus is a testament to the power of the Penguins, and Wolford may have the opportunity to lead them to glory once again.
“I watched the Penguins battle back late in the game to come away with a victory over nationally-ranked Missouri State. Not only was I impressed with the players’ and coaches’ passion, but also the fan base. Speaking with and listening to their coaches’ pregame, I could tell that it’s a program that is run the right way. The facilities were amazing. I came away very impressed with the indoor practice facility,” he said.