NIXA — New Eagles head coach John Perry wasn't very familiar with his new football roster right when he was hired, so he texted back-and-forth with senior quarterback Reid Potts to get a feel for the school.
Perry wondered who could play wide receiver. Potts kept saying "Smith Wheeler," although he knew Wheeler didn't go out for football his junior season so he could focus on track.
Wheeler sat in math class one day and in walked Perry, who asked if he could speak to him out in the hallway.
"He was like, 'hey, you should give it a shot,'" Wheeler said.