How Lance Wilhoite of FRA became the top 2019 football prospect in Tennessee

There are still a few weeks until his 17th birthday, but Franklin Road Academy junior Lance Wilhoite feels as though he’s seen it all — at least from a football standpoint. 

When considering the seesaw-like nature of FRA’s football program over the past three seasons, it’s easy to understand why. 

From the Panthers’ 11-1 state quarterfinal finish in 2015 to their one-win campaign the following year, it's fair to say the prized 2019 wide receiver prospect has spent time at both ends of the high school football spectrum. 

► More:Which Tennessee prospects remain after early signing period?

When it comes to his recruitment, however, there has been far less fluctuation. 

Wilhoite is a four-star wide receiver and the state's top-ranked 2019 prospect according to 247Sports composite rankings (103rd nationally). 

"(Wilhoite) just has the look and athleticism of an elite receiver," GoVols247 recruiting editor Ryan Callahan said. "He's a guy who has been on the radar for a long time, and he's always had good size (6-2, 180) and speed for the position. That's the reason he's had offers for almost two years now, and it's why he's going to have his choice among several elite programs."

Wilhoite received an early birthday present in February 2016 — an offer from South Florida just two days before turning 15 — and his recruiting stock has been surging ever since. 

“(South Florida) put me on the map for a lot of schools,” said Wilhoite. “Once the first SEC school offered me, which was Kentucky, I was like, 'Dang,' because my freshman year I wasn’t really all that into it. I was just doing it because I was good at it, but once those offers came in I started getting serious.” 

In the months that followed, Cincinnati, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt each extended offers, but it wasn’t until hearing from Ohio State’s Urban Meyer that he realized just how big of a target he’d become. 

“When Ohio State offered that really opened my eyes big, super big,” Wilhoite said. “I know they have the long tradition of winning, the national championship teams and all that. They said they saw something in me, and that just made me want to grind harder and harder.”

Wilhoite, coming off a junior season in which the Tennessean All-Midstate second-team selection hauled in 67 receptions for 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns, has since added offers from Florida State and Clemson.

“I know I’m not done, but I can really say I’ve come a super long way,” said Wilhoite. “Florida State, Ohio State, Clemson, those are big schools, and not many people can say they have those. It’s really been an eye-opener for me.” 

The younger brother of TSU safety Larry Wilhoite and the cousin of uncommitted 2018 running back prospect Lelan Wilhoite, Lance has collected 20 FBS scholarship offers.

And while he's not quite ready to start whittling down his options, the time for being “star struck” is quickly coming to a close.

“Me, my mom and my dad had a conversation about me starting to get serious and really try to figure out what school I want to go to,” said Wilhoite. “When I was younger I was really just taking everything in, but now I’ve really figured out what I want.” 

Wilhoite said he plans to release his list of top schools near the end of summer but likely won't commit until sometime during his senior season. He is one of three Midstate wide receivers ranked among the top 200 nationally, joining fellow four-star prospects Trey Knox of Blackman (180) and Kendrell Scurry of Independence (184). 

Reach Michael Murphy at mfmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-269-8026 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.