Catching Up With Trey Boll

He’s biding his time, paying his dues, and doing all within his power to make his mark.
Hey, nobody said college football would be a breeze. Trey Boll, Collegiate Class of 2020, knew that immutable fact when he made the commitment to compete for Wake Forest. It didn’t deter him, though. Instead, the challenges provided fuel for the journey.
 
During his time on North Mooreland Road, Boll played varsity baseball for five years and varsity football for four. As an 8th grader in a supporting role, he shared in the Cougars’ 2016 VISAA championship run. The next fall, he made key contributions that enabled his squad to win the state title. A multi-season All-Prep League and All-VISAA honoree and team captain, he excelled as a tight end and defensive end in the fall and as an outfielder and pitcher in the spring.
 
Just as he spent his early high school years observing his older, more seasoned teammates and preparing to assume the mantle of leadership, he’s doing the same now at Wake. He appeared in one game as a freshman in the Covid-delayed 2020 season. This past fall, he was a regular (at 6-4, 225) on the kickoff and punt return teams and saw spot duty as a tight end. Under NCAA guidelines, he has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
 
Recently, Boll spoke of his experiences as a member of a Demon Deacons’ squad that ended the 2021 season 11-3, champion of the ACC Atlantic Division, Gator Bowl victor (38-10 over Rutgers), and No. 15 in the nation in the final Associated Press Poll.
 
You had numerous next-level options in two sports. What was alluring about Wake Forest football?
I just believed in Coach (Dave) Clawson and liked the direction the program was going. The academics and the feeling I got when I was on campus were what drew me in. It just felt right.
 
Speak about the transition to college athletics.
It was really difficult at first. It definitely wasn’t the Prep League anymore.  You just have to put your head down and work hard. It’s still not easy. I’m still trying to get better. Looking up to the guys in front of me has been the biggest thing for me. At Collegiate and Wake Forest, there’re a lot of similarities between the type of guys we have and the leaders. Everybody was very welcoming. You never do anything alone. Never did I feel out of place. Brandon Chapman and Blake Whitehart (also tight ends) were always reaching out, asking if I wanted to run routes or watch film. I knew the guys in front of me were solidified in their roles. I tried to expand on my special teams role. That was my goal going into this season.
  
How did you manage your time?
Collegiate prepared me pretty well for that. (At Wake), we practiced in the morning. Between that and going to class, by the time you get back at the end of the day, you’re usually pretty tired. You just have to figure out how to get things done.
 
Is there a typical day during the season
There’s an early wake-up, around 5:30 or 6. Then we usually have meetings and get out to practice about 9. We’re done by 11. Then you have classes from probably 12 to around 3 or 4. Go eat dinner about 6. Do homework.  Hang out until about 10.  Then do it all over again.
 
Was rising early a tough adjustment?
I was never really a morning person. Five o’clock every day was not my favorite thing at first, but now I prefer it that way, actually. If you do it consistently enough, your body starts to wake itself up. You don’t even need an alarm. It just kind of happens.
 
At Collegiate you competed with guys you’d known all your life. Speak about the team experience at Wake.
We’re definitely a close-knit group of guys. We all live together. We all see each other all day, every day. It’s a good time, but I definitely miss the guys back home.
 
Wake had great success this past fall. How did you and your teammates handle the expectations and media attention?
Coach Clawson did a really good job. He stated to us, This is what we wanted, but we’re not done yet. We just tried to take everything in stride and enjoy it. This was a really special year to be a part of.
 
What advice would you give an aspiring college athlete about playing at the next level?
Playing sports at Collegiate was really special. Enjoy it. Work really hard. Get to know the guys around you…that was really special for me.
 
What advice would you give about the recruiting process?
Enjoy it. Don’t let it stress you out. Don’t let it be on your mind all the time. Enjoy your time as a high schooler. Not letting it take over what you’re doing is pretty important.
 
Any parting thoughts?
I love Wake. I’m excited about next year and hopefully getting on the field a little bit more. There’s definitely nothing I’d change. I love being here.
~Weldon Bradshaw
 
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