MaxPreps Weekly Honor Roll, presented by the United States Marine Corps: Jacob Monk, Corinth Holders

In sixth grade, Jacob Monk had an idea.

He wrote down the goals he wanted to achieve for football in a notebook, ripped out the piece of paper and posted it on his bedroom wall.

This year, during his junior season at Corinth Holders (Wendell, N.C.), Monk had five goals plastered on his wall. His first goal was to receive a Division I scholarship offer. Monk actually got seven Power 5 conferences offers and verbally committed to Duke this past September.

Monk left the note on the wall, but checked off that he had achieved the goal.

"It never really seemed possible until about a week after it happened," Monk said. "I couldn't believe it happened."

His second and third goals were to become an All-Conference and All-State offensive lineman as a junior. Monk checked off those goals, being a first-team recipient for both.

Now, Monk has just two goals remaining on his wall.

"To be an All-American and also starting in college as a freshman," Monk said.

The 16-year-old is working as hard as he can to accomplish both those goals.

It's remarkable how much Monk has progressed as an offensive lineman. As a freshman at Corinth Holders, Monk played defensive line. When he got a shot to play on the varsity team the next season, the coaches moved him to offensive line.

"The first couple of games I was struggling at it, but over the course of the season I got a lot better," Monk said.

Two years later, he's ranked as the 31st best recruit in North Carolina for the Class of 2019.

"As far as strength and speed and all that he's developed a ton," said Guy Williams, who was Monk's head coach at Corinth Holders for three years but recently resigned his position. "But his competitiveness is probably beyond anybody I've ever coached."

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According to Williams, Monk is a talented pass blocker as well as run blocker. Corinth Holders frequently ran screens this past season, and it wasn't a coincidence the play call was primarily to Monk's side. He would release from the line and lay blocks on cornerbacks and safeties.

"He's physical, but he's athletic enough to be able to get out there and block a guy in space," Williams said.

At 6-foot-4, 295 pounds, Monk has quick feet and possesses great technique and fundamentals. Monk's intensity as a player makes him a solid offensive lineman, noted Williams.

In his two years as a starter on the offensive line, Monk has registered 65 pancake blocks.

"He tries to finish every play, and you don't get that a lot from kids, especially at that level," Williams said. "But the look in his eyes and what he's trying to go after, he's trying to dominate who's ever on the other side every single play."

In Monk's first year as an offensive lineman, he played right guard. Heading into his junior season, his team was in need of a right tackle, so Monk shifted. Moving to tackle was a bit of a transition for Monk, but he handled the move well. Monk said he can play anywhere on the offensive line, including center.

Monk also started on the defensive line as a junior, tallying seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He's capable of playing any defensive line positions in his team's 3-4 scheme. Williams wanted his best lineman on both sides of the ball.

"He's dominant whenever he's in the game, so in all honesty if we could leave him in the game every play we tried to do that," Williams said. "Fatigue-wise that sets in as a lineman, down in and down out."

Colleges took notice of Monk's ability and he received six scholarship offers — Duke, Wake Forest, West Virginia, North Carolina State, South Carolina and East Carolina — to play offensive line and one offer from Virginia to play on defense.

"Around here it's very rare to have an offensive lineman and defensive lineman be offered Division I scholarships for both," Williams said.
Monk ultimately decided on Duke, which is only 45 miles from his home. Monk's dad, Stanley, was a running back for the Blue Devils from 1984-87, but the youngest Monk said his dad playing at the school didn't have any sway in his decision.

Monk really loves the fact Duke's program is on the rise, playing in a bowl game five of the last six years.

"It's a big jump because it really helps recruiting-wise," Monk said. "Getting those big recruits that want to get a great education but always want to win football games. I thought that had a lot of weight on my decision, too, winning football."

Monk will receive a great education and solid coaching from the upstart program.

"Academics for one and how they can compete football-wise, it's just like a friendly place," Monk said. "I've seen what they've done for my dad and what they constantly do for my dad, just the support. I just thought, ‘If I don't come here, I'm a fool pretty much.' "

Monk, who also throws shot put and discus on Corinth Holders' track and field team, is a bright student. Doing well in school is important for him, posting a 3.3 grade point average.

Monk is currently enrolled in one honors course and takes part in his school's Sign Language Club. He also likes to help around the community, especially with events that impact his family.

Monk's 18-year-old brother, Myles, has Down syndrome. Monk volunteers for Special Olympics activities and helps when his brother attends a special needs prom through the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Monk loves spending time with his brother and seeing him happy.

"We have the same interests," Monk said.

Those interests include football. Myles attends all of his brother's games, either cheering him on from the stands or the sideline, and is his biggest supporter.

"He's been with me my entire life and he's my best friend," Monk said.

Myles also attends Corinth Holders. He was held back one year by his parents so he could graduate with his brother. The graduation ceremony at Corinth Holders in 2019 is going to be a special occasion for the Monk family. Jacob can't wait to receive his diploma with his brother.

"It's huge," Jacob said. "Finish how you start, all together."

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