Sometimes a change of scenery is the best possible thing that can happen–even if the scene being left wasn’t exactly bad. Perhaps the change was made because you don’t get opportunities like the one that was presented and there is always a chance to succeed when you have one of the best minds in the business as your mentor and coach. Regardless of any backstory involved with the move, that chance for tremendous success personally and athletically is what could happen at Lakeland Christian for Tate Whatley following a change of scenery from Dover to Lakeland.
The 6-foot, 190-pound QB was at Strawberry Crest last season in which he threw for 1,399 yards for the Chargers in spite of the team finishing the season 0-10 and with Lakeland Christian’s Wayne Peace knowing a few things about playing and coaching the position, and with someone with the skill set of Whatley’s–this COULD be a match made in heaven for the next two seasons.
Whatley’s still has two years remaining to develop, but coming off a strong camp performance last season–a strong sophomore season–and then earning MVP honors at Ignite–big things appear to be headed Whatley’s way. As far as his future at LCS is concerned, under the direction of Peace his final two seasons–Christian Alexander–now at FIU–threw for 4,712 yards and 59 touchdowns–which is the same amount of time Whatley will have to try and shoot for those numbers. Before he went down to a knee injury in the fourth game of the season, transfer Tyler Wilkerson was well on his way to smashing his career-bests in passing and Whatley will have some help with AJ Deshazor making a return for his senior season.
As of right now, he still holds just one offer from Mercer–a school in its infancy, but with an undefeated season already to its credit and holding its own in the Southern Conference. There was intrigue coming from some pretty big fish at the end of last summer from Florida and Auburn–with Auburn being labeled Whatley’s “dream school” in an article on BCP in August, so if his development takes off under Peace–there’s no telling where the ceiling gets placed not the young man’s recruitment process.
