While Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman will be out indefinitely after undergoing a medical procedure for a "non-football-related" condition, his presence at practice Wednesday is already rallying teammates. "Definitely somber last night, but seeing hi m out here today, out of surgery and everything, that's reassuring," tight end Blake Whiteheart, a Mount Tabor alumnus, said after practice Wednesday. "We got after it today. Whenever we see him, he motivates us. Even without him, we've got to keep pushi ng expectations. They haven't changed at all. He's a big part of our team, but he's going to be here on the sidelines cheering us on." Offensive lineman Sean Maginn also found relief in seeing Hartman at practice. "It was exciting seeing him," Maginn sai d. "Obviously, we didn't get much information last night. It's human instinct to worry about him, and just to see him out here, smiling, talking to us, and he just reassured everyone that he's going to be OK. His safety is No. 1. He seems in good spirits . We're going to be around him, love on him and just lift him up and remind him that we're here for him."Hartman received a medical evaluation Tuesday at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. What the condition is or how long Hartman c ould be out are not clear. "We expect him to be back," Clawson said after practice Wednesday. "It's too early to tell what that timeline is...We expect him to be back, and as it goes along we'll get a better idea. Completely un-football-related..."He's o ut here today, and he's good...He just wanted those guys to see him and know that he was OK." Hartman's absence elevates Mitch Griffis, a redshirt freshman but one who is entering his third season, to the No. 1 role, with Michael Kern behind him. The Dem on Deacons, ranked 19th nationally in the American Football Coaches Association preseason poll, will open their season at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 against VMI at Truist Field. "We have a lot of confidence in all of our quarterbacks," Clawson said. "They're read y to play, and they're ready to win." Hartman's message to his team, Clawson said, was "'Keep going.' He'll be back; he doesn't know when." - Winston Salem Journal
rSr/2024  QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
News Source: Winston Salem Journal
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