Pike Road’s Wallace a three-star recruit
PIKE ROAD, Ala. — When Harrison “Trey” Wallace transferred to Pike Road High School (PRHS) in the summer of 2019, he had no intentions of playing football. Basketball is his first love, although it may not be is best sport. “He’s actually a better baseball player than football or basketball,” said Wallace’s father.
A six-foot shooting guard and outfielder, Wallace has proven to be one of the best athletes in the state of Alabama. His addition was a major plus for the Pike Road athletic program, which began just five years ago when the school system opened.
Garrick Pimienta, the strength and conditioning coach for PRHS noticed there was another sport that Wallace could excel at once he began working with him, and that’s when he went to the PRHS head football coach Patrick Browning.
In his first football season, Wallace showed almost immediately that he had real potential, totaling 429 yards receiving on just 19 receptions. He was also third overall in touchdowns scored and led his team in receiving touchdowns with nine.
In his senior season, Wallace totaled 1,179 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. “On film you will speed, body control, the athleticism and the jumping ability. That’s all there”, said Browning. “The one thing you won’t see on film is that, when we first got him, and he was learning the offense, he’s the only player I’ve ever coached that can watch a route and what it’s supposed to look like, then run it perfect after he watched it. That’s a trait you won’t see on film, but coaches are going to absolutely love him for that. He also has a good IQ and knows how to take care of his body. That’s another thing you won’t see on film. His ability to learn what you’re doing and adapt quickly is what separates the really good athletes.”
While Wallace did earn a scholarship offer from South Alabama this past April, it wasn’t until October, when teams began watching his season film closely, that offers came pouring in. Duke was the first major school to make a move on October 13, and they were followed by South Carolina two days later. Not wanting to miss out on his opportunity, Wallace committed to the Blue Devils almost immediately, announcing his decision on October 17.
What he didn’t realize at the time was other Division I programs were also watching him closely. Virginia offered a month later on November 12. Penn State and Maryland then offered about a week after that. Almost immediately, Penn State’s openness about the process and their interest grabbed the attention of Wallace and his family.
It took the Nittany Lion coaching staff just over two weeks to change Wallace’s commitment, as the three star recruit committed to Penn State. “The program is just the right fit for me, I love the coaching staff, the facilities and academics are the perfect match for me,” Wallace stated in his recent Twitter video.
The Pike Road family is eustatic for Wallace and can’t wait to see him perform at the next level on the field and in the classroom!
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