CMU first to offer prized 2020 QB RaeQuan Beal
RaeQuan Beal secured his first Division I scholarship offer from Central Michigan on Jan. 23, 2018.
To this day, it remains his only one.
But the 2020 pro-style quarterback has only shown improvement since then, making himself known as one of the most underrated prospects in the nation.
For example, at the Jourdan Lewis WR vs. DB Camp at Police Athletic League headquarters on May 27, Beal beat out nine other quarterbacks for the Most Valuable Player award.
Throwing five touchdowns without an interception at the camp, Beal conquered three top 2019 commits in Dwan Mathis (Michigan State), Sam Johnson III (Boston College) and Dequan Finn (Central Michigan).
Even Finn, a player who lost in the MVP race, is recruiting the 6-foot-4, 200-pound quarterback to join the Chippewas.
So are the members of CMU's current roster.
"The players there like to help younger athletes coming and see them grow," Beal said. "When I was there, they were active and talking to me like I'm already one of their teammates."
When the Renaissance High School quarterback went up to Mount Pleasant for a visit, he didn't just look at the university. He went as far as talking to the residents of the city, gathering a feel for a place he may someday call home.
"They're really big supporters of the team and I love a great environment to play in," Beal added.
Beal said he is unquestionably interested in CMU because of the coaching staff that braces players for the next level, especially head coach John Bonamego.
"I love the coaching staff," he explained. "Coach Bono is so energized and he keeps a smile every time I see him. He has this big smile on his face, which keeps energy high."
Harvard and Northwestern have recently picked up Beal's transcripts, while Rice, Michigan State, Boston College, Michigan, North Carolina, Syracuse and Mississippi State have contracted the Renaissance High School coaching staff.
As of mid-August, he said Michigan State, Syracuse, Iowa, Indiana, Florida, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Michigan are the schools showing him love.
However, none equal Central Michigan.
"All the (CMU) coaches show so much love," he said. "No school has really matched the love they have been showing me."
Along with Finn, Beal is close to Martin Luther King wide receiver Darrell Wyatt and Cass Technical three-star running back Lew Nichols III. All three players are 2019 pledges to the Chippewas.
He plans to visit CMU in the fall for a game but has not selected a definitive date.
The 2020 quarterback has visited Michigan twice, Michigan State, Northwestern Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Toledo since March. Beal was last at CMU on July 1 for a 7-on-7 tournament.
Beal played on varsity as a freshman and earned the starting spot as a sophomore in 2017. He is also a phenomenal pitcher on the baseball field.
