Unheralded Will Yeguete Targeted by Drake Bulldogs

It's no secret that Mark Phelps and his staff at Drake University know how to bring in recruits. Next year's freshman class has already been ranked by No. 1 in the MVC by ESPN.

So it shouldn't surprise anybody to hear the Bulldogs have been heavily targeting another intriguing prospect.

Drake fans, meet 6-foot-7 (depending on who's measuring), 210-pound high school senior, Will Yeguete of Florida Air Academy.

Originally of France, Yeguete is a three-star recruit according to Scout.com and is the website's No. 44 small forward.

Yeguete helped Florida Air Academy to a 24-1 record last season. Over the summer, Yeguete played for Nike Team Florida.

During one afternoon in particular, Yeguette tallied 19 boards in roughly 12 minutes of play. His performance opened some influential eyes.

"He’s not the biggest guy on the blocks, but the lengthy 6-foot-6 power forward from Florida Air in Melbourne was a total beast on Saturday," writes Scout.com's Eric Bossi .

"Quick off the floor, determined and willing to bang, he’s deserving of much more recruiting attention than he’s received and could be a difference maker on the glass at the upper mid-major level."

Yeguete has drawn attention from large programs such as Virginia Tech, USC, Alabama and Auburn. Virginia Tech and Auburn have offered him scholarships, according to TheState.com . His only official visit (that seems to be confirmed, at least) has been to St. John's University.

As of late, however, it appears Yeguete has been more interested in mid-major programs.

Scout describes Yeguete as a "classic, undersized blue collar forward."

Scout also claims Yeguete is a "hard-nosed forward who relies on his motor skills for success."

The Bulldogs could benefit from a player of Yeguete's nature. He can rebound and is known for his hustle and toughness.

In other words, Yeguete could possibly plug the gaping hole that is Drake's rebounding weakness.

Even better, Yeguete seems to like what he sees in Drake, as Scout lists Drake as one of Yeguete's favorites.

The big forward was quoted by Florida Hoops Recruits as saying, "I want to go to a good school with good academics."

From firsthand experience, I can attest to the fact that Drake fits the bill.

He's also willing to travel. A good thing, too. Iowa's a bit of a trek from sunny Florida—more obviously so this time of year. 

"I am willing to go anywhere: distance is not a problem for me," Yeguete said. "I am looking for a place where I can get playing time early in my career."

Though forward is one of Drake's deepest positions, Yeguete would certainly get plenty of PT.

Drake needs a truly big presence down low and Yeguete could be the key to the Bulldogs making the jump from a young, inexperienced group of boys to a talented, Cinderella-type squad.