Wake Forest QB Michael Kern shows courage in his commitment to faith | Recruiting Insider
In today’s society, anonymity on social media has given the world license to judge without repercussion. With that in mind, many people are reluctant to show real identities, true feelings or beliefs. Christianity apparently strikes one of those nerves that fuel the fire for those anonymous judges lying in wait.
For celebrities or athletes to share their faith in God, it strikes the gong for Bible-bashers. That leaves many athletes hesitant to share their beliefs, or at least that used to be the case.
Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is one of them. Isaac has been very outspoken about his Christian faith from a young age. His faith has allowed him to navigate the misfortune of serious injuries that have derailed his NBA career.
Two weeks ago, after the Denver Broncos won their third straight game by defeating Buffalo, quarterback Russell Wilson and receiver Courtland Sutton gave praise to God in their postgame interviews on national TV.
Athletes are becoming far less afraid of expressing their faith. That’s definitely true of Wake Forest quarterback Michael Kern, a product of Lake Nona High.
NCAA transfer portal still crushing high school players’ dreams | Recruiting Insider
The redshirt junior has been with the Wake Forest program for five years and was named the starting quarterback in the Demon Deacons final two games of the season, losses to Notre Dame and Syracuse. Kern was impressive in guiding Wake in the 35-31 loss at Syracuse on Saturday. He was 18 of 24 passing for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 39 yards.
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity. The Lord has been super faithful during this time and he has made it so fruitful in so many ways, on and off the field,” Kern said. “This is where he has placed me right now and I’m just excited to see what he has in store for me.”
Kern could take credit for his own perseverance or point to a work ethic that has put him in the position he is in. He has, instead, chosen to give credit to God. He follows his path with the Lord in mind at every step.
Kern plans to stay one more year at Wake, taking advantage of the extra COVID year all college athletes were allowed in 2020. He’ll head into next season as incumbent starter, but will need to earn that position when spring football starts back in March.
Pushing forward for five years and choosing not to try the transfer portal has given Kern an experience he says he would never change. His message to younger players is that football is not the center of life.
“Playing on the football field is wonderful and it’s great, but it’s not everything,” Kern said. “And if your heart is wrong about it, that can actually be a pretty dangerous thing.
“I feel like there’s this idea that playing on the football field is the greatest, highest, most-fulfilling thing that there is and if I’m not on the field then I’m not full, or I can’t have an impact or have a fruitful life, and that’s just not true. There is so much fruit you can have by just growing in relationships, and learning to work hard and just submitting to the Lord and where He’s placed you and trusting in the fact that He’s just sovereign over your life.
“In these last five years, I haven’t been on the field as much as I probably expected to be coming out of high school, but the Lord has done such an awesome thing and has been faithful to me, sanctifying me and turning me into a man, preparing me for eternity with him. I’m just so thankful. He’s prepared my heart to handle the responsibility.”
Preston Watson wavers on Duke commitment
Monday’s hiring of Mike Elko away from Duke by Texas A&M leaves a void for Sanford Seminole defensive tackle Preston Watson.
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound standout, who is the No. 2-ranked player in the Sentinel’s 2024 Central Florida Super60 and was recently voted Orlando Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Year, remains committed to the Blue Devils. But he is wavering.
“It’s a little shocking. We’ve been talking about it in the Duke chat. We have a meeting with some of our coaches and so we’re just getting that out of the way and taking it one day at a time,” Watson said this week. “I’m a little bit on the fence. One of the main reasons I committed to Duke was because of their D-line coach [Jess Simpson], so if he stays, then I’m most likely going to stay.”
He said he would want to follow Simpson to Texas A&M if that turns out to be what happens.
Watson had a tremendous senior season with 70 tackles, an impressive number for a defensive tackle. He had 21 tackles for loss, nine sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception.
West Orange’s JC Carlies having great season
Jaylon “JC” Carlies is having a terrific senior season at Missouri. The West Orange product is third for the Tigers with 53 tackles. He also has two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a sack.
Carlies was one of the best players on the field at West Orange, playing wide receiver and defensive back. At Mizzou, he has started 37 straight games strictly as a DB. He has nine career interceptions and will be looking to play on Sundays. The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27.
Transfer portal opens next week
The first day that NCAA players can officially enter the transfer portal is midnight Monday. That window closes Jan. 2. Many high school players are waiting in limbo to figure out what options they may have for colleges. Numerous players in the Sentinel’s 2024 Central Florida Super60 are still looking for landing spots.
The highest ranked, uncommitted player is quarterback TJ Moore at DeLand, as well as his teammate, receiver Javon Ross. Safeties Zay Mincey of Daytona Beach Mainland and Cai Bates of Edgewater are uncommitted, but they should not have issues with finding a place. Bates decommitted from LSU and is thought to be leaning toward FSU or Tennessee. Mincey is considered a UF lean, where he would join defensive tackle and teammate LJ McCray. Mincey will announce at the All-American Game in San Antonio on Jan. 6.
Other top-ranked players still waiting are Jones teammates CB George Brown IV and LB Tyrin Randle, S Jalen Bell of Osceola, Olympia teammates WR Josh Evans and CB Romelo Walker and Mainland DT Ramon McCullough.
“It’s really hurting these kids. If you are not the elites, the 4-stars or 5-stars, you’re going to have to wait, so they are all in a wait-and-see mode,” Olympia coach Travis Gabriel said. “A lot of schools now are saying they are waiting until they see what they are getting in the portal.”
Even if a prospect commits to a college, it does not mean they will end up there. Nothing is official until ink hits paper. The early National Signing Day for high school players is Dec. 20.
Chris Hays covers high school and college football and college football recruiting. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) @OS_ChrisHays or on Instagram @OS_ChrisHays. Email him at chays@orlandosentinel.com.
