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With 13 offers Wando’s Gimel President Looking Forward To Busy Summer
By Billy G. Baker
Publisher
Mt. Pleasant—With 13 offers firmly in hand as the May football recruiting period comes to a close Wando defensive end Gimel President (6-4,251) says he is looking forward to unofficial visits to Auburn and Tennessee over the summer.
“I am looking for a college with a good graduation rate, early playing time for myself, and I want to get to know about the character and attitudes of the teammates that I will be spending my college life with,” said President who has scored 1,400 on the SAT.
As far as his senior goals President wants to first help the Wando team compete for an AAAA state title was having at least 130 tackles this season. He was recently nominated for the Army All-American game in San Antonio, Texas in early May and getting to play in that event is a goal of his also.
President is the youngest of seven children born to Zola and Delores President. This close knit family stresses family values, living by the golden rule, and academics are as important as athletics in this warm and loving household.
Gimel began playing football when he was 9 years old. He has also had a personal trainer since he was 9 in family friend and former St. Andrews player Kendall White. President has also worked out a great deal at Velocity Sports in Mt. Pleasant. “Kendall has helped me a lot with my foot work, hip work and bench press,” said President. “He has also taught me how to read offensive guards and tackles. I do everything I can to figure out where the play is going and to do my coached assignment.”
President runs the forty in 4.5 and he bench presses 345 pounds with a 440 squat. He can play either weak side or strong side defensive end and he prefers to play with his hand in the dirt. “I like getting to the quarterback,” said President.
As a junior at Wando he had 83 tackles, 9 sacks, three forced fumbles and he recovered two fumbles. He also had 12 quarterback hurries and quarterbacks will get in a hurry when he is chasing them down.
Wando High football coach Jimmy Noonan said this President should play early for some college at the next level. “He’s has all the tools to be a complete player at the next level,” said Coach Noonan. “He has unlimited potential and he is thinking all the time.
“He’s a high character kid with good grades who comes from a great family. He passes everyone’s eye test and nearly everyone who has come by this May has made him an offer. He has the potential to grow into a 280 pound frame and with his speed he should be able to play early at the next level.”
As of May, 22 President has offers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech, N.C. State, Central Florida, South Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Auburn, and Illinois. President and his parents plan to visit Auburn and Tennessee over the summer.
Gimel’s older brother, Jermel President, was a star basketball player at the College of Charleston between 1998 and 2000 where he scored 1,200 points and just got his jersey retired.
“Gimel is very active on the field but he is quiet and keeps to himself a lot off the field,” said Zola President. “His goals are all about winning and his goal is to get to the quarterback. There are not many offensive linemen who can handle him one on one. With him it’s not just football. It’s about him going to school and getting good grades because he values the importance of a good education also.”
Two other Wando players have major college potential in offensive lineman Tyler Stasky (6-9, 270) and running back Dezmon Venning (5-9, 205) who has turned heads at combines this spring. Venning missed several games lest year with an ankle injury and a concussion.
“Gimel’s first step is his strength,” said proud father Zola. “He’s a very good football player but we are just as proud of him as a person.”
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