Millbrook quarterback Brian Kass throws the ball against Sanderson.
Jan 14, 2009
Millbrook quarterback Brian Kass has verbally committed to Wofford College, according to his father, Dave.
"Brian felt Wofford really wanted him," the elder Kass said Monday evening. "It's a family down there, and that's what Brian came away with."
Brian was unavailable for comment Monday, as he was attending a meeting at Millbrook High School.
Brian and his father traveled to Wofford this past weekend, and Kass spent a few days in a dorm on campus. He was hosted by freshman Eric Breitenstein, a fullback who rushed for about 500-yards this season for the Terriers.
Brian's father said that they later learned Wofford head coach Mike Ayers asked Breitenstein throughout the weekend if he thought the Raleigh quarterback was going to commit to the program.
"[Breitenstein] told Coach Ayers that Brian was asking a lot of questions still, and he didn't think he was ready [to make a commitment]," his father said.
After meeting with professors and advisers Saturday, touring the campus and talking with players and coaches, the father and son sat down with Ayers in his office on Sunday.
Brian asked Ayers why he was his No. 1 quarterback, and his father said it caught the longtime coach off-guard.
"I looked at Brian and thought, 'What are you doing?'" Dave said. "Of course, I didn't say that."
Later, Brian asked Ayers if No. 14 was available. Confused, Ayers asked Brian what he meant, and Brian repeated himself.
"I'm the head coach. I suppose No. 14 is available," Ayers said, according to Brian's father.
It was then Brian made his verbal commitment to Wofford.
"Coach Ayers jumped across his desk and hugged Brian for like five seconds," said Dave.
After Kass made his commitment, Ayers announced to the rest of those in attendance that they had received a commitment from Brian. Before the day was over, the Terriers received commitments from 16 of their top prospects. They are expected to sign 23 players in this recruiting class, and it could be the best class ever at Wofford.
Kass expects to have the opportunity to battle for the starting position next season as a quarterback. Kass could also play special teams.
Wofford will open the season on ESPN when they play South Florida. They will also play Wisconsin during the 2009 season.
The following season, Wofford will play South Carolina and Auburn.
Brian Kass had a unique high school football career.
After his older brother, Rob, accepted a scholarship offer to attend East Carolina, his family moved from the Orlando, Fla., area to Raleigh to be closer to their oldest son.
Kass originally thought he would be attending Leesville Road, but learned he was districted to Wakefield. During the summer, Kass went to Wakefield, expecting to work out with the football team.
However, his stay at Wakefield didn't last long.
"The athletic director came down and said [Brian] was at the wrong school," his father said. "He was actually supposed to be at Millbrook."
That's how Kass ended up being a Wildcat, and head coach Clarence Inscore was happy to have him.
In just two seasons at Millbrook, Kass ran for 1,651-yards and 34 touchdowns. He also threw for just under 5,000-yards and 37 touchdowns. During his career, Kass played the punter position, returned punts, and played on the defensive side of the ball. During the 2008 season, Kass' punt average was 41-yards.
Kass has been named the team's offensive player of the year both seasons, and he is a two-time all-conference selection in the Cap 7.
Posting a 3.8 grade point average, Kass was presented with Tom Suiter's Extra Effort Award last fall. It was the first Extra Effort Award of the school year.
In the end, with just two years at the school, Kass finished his career as the second leading rusher and second leading passer in Millbrook's rich football history.
Kass' father told HighSchoolOT.com during the season that his son was looking to commit early in order to enjoy his senior year. His recruiting picked up during his senior season, and even got some interest from major Division-I schools.
Prior to committing to Wofford, Kass took unofficial visits to James Madison, Connecticut, Oregon, and California. However, Kass ultimately wanted to stay close to North Carolina.
According to his father, Brian limited himself to schools mainly in Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The one school outside of that area that Kass had serious interest in was Auburn.
Auburn gave Kass his first Division-I offer.
The Auburn coaching staff attended Millbrook's first game of the season against Garner, but they were actually looking at a Trojan defensive back, according to Dave.
That's when they discovered Brian.
Auburn switched to the spread offense leading up to the 2008 season, a move that was very enticing to Kass, and offensive coordinator Tony Franklin kept in touch with the family. However, Franklin was fired from the Auburn staff in October, and Bob Petrino was hired.
The Tigers changed their offense mid-season, and interest from Auburn began to fade.
However, Kass had interest from a number of other programs, including Wake Forest, N.C. State, North Carolina and East Carolina. None of the schools made offers, though.
Central Florida, Appalachian State and UNC-Pembroke also had interest in Kass.
The Kass family has become accustomed to the recruiting process. Between Brian's father playing football at Wake Forest, and his older brother playing at East Carolina, the Kass' know what to expect and how to handle the process.
Brian's father kept a depth chart at home for all of the teams that were interested in his son.
"It really wasn't hard," said Dave, "It's all on the Internet."
Brian wanted to make an immediate impact somewhere, and he told Ayers that he intends to do just that at Wofford next fall.
After making his verbal commitment, Kass canceled five recruiting trips that he had scheduled.
He will conclude his senior year at Millbrook in June, but he plans to play baseball for the Wildcats this spring.
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