Recruiting: Gardner-Webb adds top-flight QB, edge rusher, O-lineman

Gardner-Webb football continues to build a strong foundation for its 2025 recruiting class, adding three more players this week — including a top-flight quarterback from South Carolina.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs picked up verbal commitments the past few days from:

• Rock Hill (SC) Northwestern pro-style quarterback Finley Polk
• East Rutherford defensive end/linebacker Zalen Watkins.
• Marietta (GA) Kell offensive lineman David Torres

The latest verbals come on the heels of a commitment from explosive playmaking wide receiver Ashawd Wynn, who has transferred from 1A Hobbton to 4A Hough High in Cornelius.

Polk plays big for SC powerhouse

Polk (6-3, 175) had a huge junior season for Northwestern, which went 11-2 in the AAAAA classification a year ago. He completed 201-of-294 passes (.684) for 2,902 yards and 38 touchdowns. On the ground, Polk accounted for another eight scores, including 86 rushing yards and three TDs against Rock Hill.

Polk threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns in a wild season opener against Providence Day last August in the inaugural Carolina Panthers’ Keep Pounding High School Classic at Bank of America Stadium. He did throw three picks but only four for the rest of the season.

Polk had five games with four passing touchdowns and three more with three aerial TDs. Northwestern won 11 games in a row after the loss to Providence Day, dropping a 42-41 heartbreaker to Greenville in the South Carolina AAAAA playoffs. Polk threw a touchdown pass in the waning seconds to pull his team within a point. But a two-point conversion attempt failed.

Polk reported offers from FBS Georgia Southern as well from VMI, Georgetown and Bryant from the FCS ranks, and Wingate and Limestone from Division II. He is listed as a 3-star prospect from On3, a national recruiting service. As a two-year starter at Northwestern, Polk has amassed 6,159 passing yards and 75 passing touchdowns. He’s ranked No. 80 nationally as a quarterback in the 2025 class by Mike Farrell Sports.

Zalen Watkins invades the backfield

Watkins (6-3, 240) averaged 7.1 tackles per game as a junior for East Rutherford, located in Forest City. The two-time all-conference performer made 78 total hits, including 15.5 tackles-for-loss. He finished with 19 quarterback pressures.

Watkins’ biggest statistical game came last October against R-S Central, where he recorded 14 tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. He had 11 tackles in games against Patton and North Lincoln.

Watkins was credited with two interceptions in a win over Polk County and three for the season. He forced four fumbles and recovered six (including three in one game against Patton). He also blocked a field goal for the 2A Cavaliers, who compete in the 1A/2A Mountain Foothills Conference.

Gardner-Webb was the first Division I school to offer Watkins, according to his social media.

Torres can ‘de-cleat’ smaller defenders

The 6-3, 270-pound rising senior earned honorable mention all-region as a junior. He picked up an offer from Gardner-Webb just a few weeks ago. He also reported offers from Lenoir-Rhyne, Reinhardt University and Shorter. He camped earlier this summer at Tennessee, Berry and Shorter.

Prep Redzone called him a “real sleeper” among offensive lineman in Georgia and had this to say about Torres in a recent write-up: “His junior tape is flashy, exhibiting impressive speed and mobility … He is quick off the ball and out of his stance, allowing him to split edge defenders and pull to the second level … He shows impact-style blocking potential on tape, de-cleating smaller defenders and leaving destruction in his path.”