Wake Forest football suffers devastating blow ahead of much-hyped season

On the doorstep of a season with a lot of promise, Wake Forest football has suffered a massive blow.

After going 11-3 last season, capped by a win over Rutgers in the Gator Bowl, hopes are high for Wake Forest football heading into a new season. But on Wednesday morning the school announced quarterback Sam Hartman will be out indefinitely due to a “non-football related medical condition.”

Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson did say Hartman will be back this year, and the quarterback had a medical procedure Tuesday night to address the issue.

After workouts Tuesday, Hartman sought medical attention. Details can’t be disclosed due to privacy restrictions, but that medical personnel determined he should be withheld from competition indefinitely is telling and concerning.

The school released a statement from Hartman.

"Tuesday was a frustrating day, but I am extremely grateful for our medical staff and for Dr. Chris Miles and Niles Fleet for staying with me throughout this process,” Hartman said in a statement released by the school. “I look forward to attacking this rehabilitation process and I am so appreciative of the support I have received from my family, teammates and coaches.”"

Wake Forest football suffers massive loss with Sam Hartman out

Shifting to the football side of things, Hartman earned second-team All ACC honors led the Demon Deacons to the ACC Atlantic title last year while throwing for a school-record 4,228 yards with 50 total touchdowns (39 passing). A three-year starter, he is the school’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns with 72.

Clawson also offered a statement on the Hartman news.

"Sam Hartman is the true embodiment of a leader and is one of the finest young men I have ever had the pleasure to coach,” “Sam was intensely focused on the betterment of his teammates throughout the entire offseason and helping our program continue to achieve great things on the field. Additionally, he is an incredible person in the community and in the classroom. We’ll look forward to having Sam back on the field as soon as he can, and in the meantime Sam and his family have the full support of our coaching staff and program in his recovery."

In Hartman’s absence, however long it is, fourth-year sophomore Michael Kern is the favorite to step in as the starting quarterback for the Demon Deacons. Third-year freshman Mitch Griffis has also seen some action during his career, is another possible option.

Wake Forest will open their 2022 season against VMI on Sept. 1, but Hartman’s health is now the far bigger concern.