Q&A: Zakee Wheatley Opens Up About Commitment

Head coach James Franklin and the Penn State football program added defensive back Zakee Wheatley to its Class of 2021 back on April 10. We caught up with the Maryland native earlier this week to learn why now was the right time to decide.

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Ryan Snyder: It felt like Penn State was the favorite from the start of your recruitment. Is that fair to say? When did Penn State really become the team to beat for you?

Zakee Wheatley: They came and visited me at my school to watch me workout right around this time last year. They didn’t offer me that day, but they came and offered me maybe a month later. Even before they offered, I was talking to Coach Bowen a lot. They made it clear right from the start that they loved me, and that they wanted to build a relationship, so I knew they liked me. After I got the offer, pretty much from that point forward they just kept it real with me and I really liked that. I do remember going to the Lasch Bash in the summer and that was big. That was a real good visit for me and my family. You could definitely say that they were the favorite from that point, but really, they were pretty much the favorite from the moment they offered me. They just showed the most love and the most consistent love from day one.

Snyder: By this time last week, it was becoming clear that two other defensive backs, Jaylen Reed and Kalen King, were going to announce their commitments. How did that impact you? Was that a major reason why you committed now instead of taking visits? Take me through your talks with the staff last week.

Wheatley: Honestly, it’s crazy, but I didn’t know they were committing. It’s not that [Penn State's coaches] didn’t tell me, but this was something I was just planning for a week or two. During quarantine, me and my family just talked about it a lot. Penn State was already in my top two, along with [Virginia]. Really, they were the top one, so just being at home really gave me time to think about all of this and that’s kind of why I figured this all out now. We just had a lot of time to discuss it and think it all over. It was always Penn State, so when I also learned that Jaylen, Kobe [King] and Kalen were all committing, I figured it was a good time to announce this.

Snyder: When did you learn about the other guys committing? Did you not know about that until a day or two before?

Wheatley: So, we decided that I was going to commit to Penn State the week before I did it. My dad was making the video that I posted, so that’s why it took time to announce it to everyone. I think I committed that Wednesday [April 7]. That was my silent commitment. My dad started working on the video that Monday [April 6]. That gave him a week to work on everything before we announced it. So, that’s how everything went down for me.

Snyder: You mentioned that Virginia was the other school you were seriously considering. Was there any point where Virginia gave Penn State a real run?

Wheatley: I mean, throughout the process, they were the two schools that really stood out the most. Just like how Penn State offered me early and stayed in touch, Virginia was the same way. I built a strong relationship early and kept a strong relationship with them. UVA actually offered me a little bit before Penn State and I really enjoyed talking to them guys. I really like Coach [Bronco] Mendenhall. I would say that they were a close second at times, but Penn State was pretty much always at the top. It’s where I felt home, it’s where I felt like everything was more family-like. My entire future was just best if I started it out at Penn State.

Snyder: Recruiting hasn’t slowed down at all. What were the past few weeks like? I know a lot of recruits have mentioned that the conversations with coaches has increased substantially. Was it a lot? How many hours a day were you focusing on recruiting?

Wheatley: Yeah, it was real busy, especially after I posted my top eight. I was getting texts, calls, talking on FaceTime, all of that everyday. But, I wouldn’t say that had a big impact on me choosing Penn State faster than I planned. I had a lot of time to think about everything and I just felt good about making this move. But it was really busy. I was getting calls everyday and my dad was getting a lot of calls, too. I’m not sure how many hours a day, but we were setting up a lot of calls. One coach would want to talk at 5 p.m., then another coach would want to talk at 8 p.m. We were scheduling those calls and texting coaches throughout the day.

Snyder: If there’s one thing about Penn State that stands out to you the most, what is it? What really separated PSU from the other schools?

Wheatley: I would say how hard they recruited me. At most schools, I would talk to the DB coach and maybe the recruiting coordinator. Then, every once and awhile, you talk to a head coach. Penn State’s entire staff talked to me. Coach Franklin recruited me heavy. Coach [Tyler] Bowen was in touch a lot. I talked to their strength coaches before. Everyone was on board. Obviously, I talked to Coach [Terry] Smith and Coach [Tim] Banks a lot. They just showed me how important I was to them. They explained that, too. Not all the guys they recruit can get that treatment. There’s only so much time in the day, so I felt the love. They definitely showed me how important I was to them. Everyone was on board.

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Snyder: You have the athleticism to play a positions. We know you’re coming in to be a defensive backs, but early on, we talked about the staff's interest in you playing wide receiver. Have you discussed wide receiver with them in recent months, or is it 100 percent defensive back?

Wheatley: In the beginning, when they came to see me, they were honest. They were just saying that they liked my athleticism, that they thought I could play, but that they just weren’t really sure where I would be best. Definitely now, it’s more defensive than anything. I talk to Coach Smith and Coach Banks all the time and they’re real open about it with me. It just depends on how I come in and where I’m needed. I’m open to play corner or safety. I just want to get on the field.

Snyder: You’re the second recruit from Maryland to commit to Penn State this year. Are you close with Landon Tengwall?

Wheatley: Yeah, I went against Landon before and I’ve [direct messaged] him a couple times. We’ve been talking about recruiting more and more.

Snyder: Are there a couple guys in the state that you’re friendly with? Do you know Dont’e [Thornton] or Kaden [Prather]? Also, what’s your style when it comes to reaching out to other players? Are you laid-back? Are you aggressive?

Wheatley: Oh yeah, for sure. Those are my guys. Dont’e, Kaden and Jalil [Farroq]. I know all those guys. I’m pretty laid-back, but for this, I definitely plan to be talking to guys regularly. Like anyone else, I want to play for national championships. I want to win, so if I can help get guys like Kaden and Dont’e to join our team, that’s what I’m going to do. So, every now and then, I’ll hit them up. I’ve already talked to Kaden.

Snyder: What’s one thing that always came naturally to you on the field? It can be as a defensive back, as a receiver, wherever. Also, what’s one thing that you want to work on and improve before enrolling?

Wheatley: For my strengths, I would say that, ever since I was young, I’ve been known to have good ball skills. Ever since I was little, that’s one thing that my coaches have recognized and helped me get better at. I think I’m great at going up, finding the ball and all of that. I also played middle linebacker when I was younger, so I think I’m a good tackler, too. I think I’m pretty good at tackling in open space. For something to improve on, I would say that I need to get stronger and faster. Every day during quarantine, I’m lifting weights and going to the field to run. Those are two things I want to get better at.

Snyder: How much did academics factor into your decision? Virginia is a very good school academically, so I would assume that was pretty important? Also, what do you want to study? Have you thought about that?

Wheatley: Oh, for sure. That’s why Notre Dame jumped up pretty high on my list, too. All three of those schools are very good schools. That’s always been very important to my family. Academics are everything to my family. As far as what I want to study, I’m planning to do something in business.

Snyder: If you don’t make it to the NFL, what’s your dream job?

Wheatley: Well yeah, the NFL is definitely my main goal, but if not, I just want to see where my degree takes me. I haven’t thought about that too much, and even when I do think about it, in two years, it’ll probably be something completely different. For me, I just want to show people that I’m a hard worker and that I’m willing to do what it takes to get ahead. That’s how I approach football and that’s how I’ll approach whatever my career is. I definitely would like to work in something sports-related, maybe even coaching, but I’m still a junior in high school. I just want to focus on the things I can control, and that’ll take me where I want to go.

Snyder: You mentioned this a little bit earlier, but what are you doing right now to stay in shape? Do you have everything you need at home? Are you going out and running a lot? How are you training while stuck at home?

Wheatley: Oh yeah, I have most of what I need here. I have dumbbells and a curl bar. I have 45-pound plates, 25-pound plates, 10-pound plates, 5-pound plates. I have the 45-pound bar. So, having a bench set and some other bars gives me a lot of different workouts that I can do. I’m pretty much maintaining the best that I can. I don’t have every weight and all the different machines, but I am here all the time, so I can focus on lifting a good amount of the time. I make sure I do 100 or 200 pushups everyday, just things like that. I’m also going out to the field to run a lot. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I’ll be out there doing DB work. Then, on the other days, I’m out there doing speed drills with my dad. When the weather is nice, why not? Everyone is forced to just sit around right now, so I’m doing my best to take advantage of the extra time and doing my best to train.

Snyder: Alright, last question: Is there anything you’d like to say to Penn State fans? Maybe you could tell them about your character or personality? Is there anything you want to say when it comes to how excited you are to play at Penn State? If there was just one thing you’d like to say to fans, what is it?

Wheatley: I would just say to please keep supporting us and that I’m excited to be up there soon. When I get there, I’m going to do everything in my power to help contribute and win a national championship. I want to do everything I can to help my teammates and coaches.

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