Wake Forest star QB Sam Hartman out indefinitely to undergo treatment for non-football related condition

Wake Forest star quarterback Sam Hartman will be out indefinitely due to a “non-football related medical condition,” the school announced Wednesday. The fifth-year junior sought medical attention on Tuesday, and the results of subsequent testing has resulted in his indefinite leave from the team. 

Hartman is the program’s all-time leader in touchdown passes with 72 and was instrumental in leading the Demon Deacons to an 11-3 record in 2021. A timeline for his return has not been set, casting uncertainty on who could be under center when Wake begins the season vs. VMI on Thursday, Sept. 1.

“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. “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.”

Hartman earned second team All-ACC honors last season while throwing for a school-record 4,228 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also ran for 11 touchdowns as the Demon Deacons matched the school record for most victories in a season.

“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,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “As a two-time captain and coming off record-setting seasons in 2020 and 2021, 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.”  

Leadership loss

Hartman finished second in the voting for ACC preseason behind NC State quarterback Devin Leary, and he will be difficult for the Demon Deacons to replace if he has to miss significant game action. But beyond his mere ability and statistical production, Clawson also highlighted at ACC Kickoff last month what Hartman brings from an intangibles standpoint.

“He has become such a good leader for our program,” Clawson said. “Sam is a guy that his teammates like playing with him and for him. He has developed great relationships with the offensive linemen, our defensive football players, and I always think that leadership is the element that can bond and elevate a football team.”

Next man up

The Demon Deacons have a pair of former three-star prospects with limited playing experience on the roster who should jockey for first-team reps during Hartman’s absence. Fourth-year sophomore Michael Kern appeared in 11 games during his first three seasons in the program and is 21-for-38 passing with 370 yards in his career.

Third-year freshman Mitch Griffis is the other likely option after he appeared in eight games during his first two seasons, completing 4 of 15 passes for 56 yards during that span. Both players have multiple years of experience in the program and, presumably, a high level of comfort in Clawson’s system. With star receiver A.T. Perry and a pair of 500-yard running backs returning along with a seasoned offensive line, the Demon Deacons will have a solid support cast surrounding whomever winds up playing quarterback in the season opener.