Colburn Signs with Wake Forest

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After a week of confusion, heartache and panic, South Carolina’s reigning ‘Mr. Football’ Matt Colburn has found relief. “I’m proud to announce I’ll be signing to play collegiate football at Wake Forest University,” announced Colburn Wednesday, wearing a Wake Forest visor and bow tie colored gold and black, the traditional Demon Deacons colors. With his mother, father and brothers watching, Colburn made his collegiate choice official, signing with Wake Forest in front of a standing room only crowd. Colburn, a senior running back at Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, SC, gave his commitment to Louisville last summer and had been verbally committed to the Cardinals until the University rescinded its scholarship offer to play this fall 48 hours before last Wednesday’s National Signing Day, leaving Colburn in a scramble for other options. “Last week was pretty rough,” said Colburn. “I didn’t think I would ever be here, so it’s truly a blessing.” Colburn received the news from Louisville last week, prompting a process he and his family thought was finished last summer. But they pressed on, loaded the car and visited both Wake Forest and Georgia Southern this weekend. “He was emotional, but overall he was a trooper,” said Tironza Colburn, Matt’s mother. After a long 48 hours of tours and traveling, Colburn knew without a doubt his university would be Wake Forest. “It’s a beautiful school, great coaches, great people,” said Colburn. “They have a new coaching staff in there, and I’m ready to work my butt off and be a part of history.” Colburn’s decision is not surprising. Out of the three schools in his final consideration (Wake Forest, Georgia Southern and Marshall), Wake Forest–an ACC school–was the only school in a Power 5 athletics conference. “We felt like we were an ACC/SEC level player,” said Tom Knotts, Dutch Fork High School head coach and Colburn’s coach all four years. “A lot of the doors had been closed and a lot of the ACC and SEC schools were already full. We wanted to see him play at an elite level.” The Demon Deacons are coached by second-year head coach Dave Clawson, who has brought a newfound excitement to a program struggling for wins. After Colburn’s signing, the Demon Deacons recruiting class improved to no. 49 in the nation. In a tweet, Clawson congratulated Colburn. “Welcome Matthew Colburn to the Decon family. Excited to get another playmaker.” In an ironic addition to the saga, Louisville and Wake Forest both belong to the Atlantic Division of the ACC, so the two schools will face each other on Oct. 30 this season. “I’m going to mark that date on my calendar,” said Knotts. Colburn said he has had dreams about facing Louisville. When asked how many yards and touchdowns Colburn rushed for in those dreams, the running back answered proudly, “Thousands.”