Congratulatory messages and texts for
Kayleb Wagner of
Baker poured in all weekend after he broke the Florida high school football single-game rushing record Friday with 535 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-48 home win over
South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach).
But Wagner, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior running back, told MaxPreps on Monday morning the most memorable moment came courtesy of fifth graders he aids at school.
"All these kids gave me a standing ovation," Wagner said. "I love kids. I love them looking up to me to be a role model. It was really special."
A few hours later, Wagner received a direct message via Instagram from the running back he topped for the record — Tennessee Titans All-Pro and reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Derrick Henry.
In September 2012 while at
Yulee, Henry rushed 45 times for 502 yards and six touchdowns in a win over Jackson.
It took Wagner 25 carries to set the new record for the small-school power. The Gators went 15-0 en route to their fifth Class 1A state championship in 2020 when Wagner rushed 1,403 yards and 18 touchdowns.
"We went back and forth for five minutes or so," Wagner said of his exchange with Henry. "He congratulated me, said he would send me a pair of his cleats and game gloves. It was very, very cool. I think it really hit me then that I had the record."
Kayleb Wagner averaged over 20 yards per carry Friday night en route to breaking Florida's single-game rushing record.
File photo by Matthew Christopher
It's easy to root for Wagner.
He was born without a left hand and part of his forearm due to a genetic condition called amniotic band syndrome, similar to fellow Florida prep product and current Miami Dolphins linebacker Shaquem Griffin.
Like Griffin, Wagner hasn't been held back by the disability, starring in all sports as a youth, including basketball, baseball, and track and field.
"I've never looked at it as a disability," Wagner said. "It's what I've always known."
He immediately set goals, including the mark by Henry he broke on Friday. Wagner might have been able to break it the previous week when he averaged 66.8 yards on four carries in a 49-13 win over Rocky Bayou Christian. He scored on all four carries, including an 80-yarder.
But the Gators led 49-7 at halftime and coach Matt Brunson wasn't going to run up the score or stats.
Against South Walton, Wagner knew he'd have a better shot at the record because the Seahawks were loaded with talent, including FBS quarterback prospect
Kemper Hodges and Georgia wide receiver commit
Pearce Spurlin, who caught five touchdown passes.
"The game was crazy, back and forth, up and down the field," Wagner said.
Wagner started the scoring with an 83-yarder and ended it for the Gators with sprints of 91 and 68 yards to erase a 42-35 fourth-quarter deficit. A botched extra point at the end decided it.
"During the game I wasn't even thinking about the record," Wagner said. "I just kept thinking we need to score. Finally, sometime late in the fourth quarter my coach told me I was over 500 yards. I couldn't believe it."
He told reporters afterward that it was all about his linemen and rattled off all the names:
Jared Raybon,
Kurt Armstrong,
Jace Tolbert,
Greg Colegrove,
Ethan Williams and
Randall Godwin.
Crediting others was something he learned at an early age from his mother Samantha, who raised Wagner on her own. She taught him the value of hard work, to aim high and don't let others tell you what you can or can't do. Like lifting weights with one arm, which Wagner does religiously. He's bench pressed 250 pounds and squatted 480.
"She had me when she was 16," Wagner said. "She hasn't had it easy. It's been hard. Nothing was given to her. I want to make her proud."
He did on Friday when Samantha was the first to greet her after the game.
"When I told her I broke the record she just started jumping up and down and crying," he said. "It was pretty emotional."
Wagner excels beyond athletic fields, maintaining a 3.6 grade point average while serving in a half dozen school and community clubs and organizations. He mentors youths battling a variety of challenges, physically and emotionally.
That helped earn him the Florida High School Athletic Association's 2020-21
Roger Dearing Spirit of Sport Award, for personifying "perseverance and positive light regardless of the obstacles presented to him."
He sees no barriers to reach any of his dreams, which most immediately is to win another state title and break Henry's Florida state season record of 4,261 yards. After that he plans to earn a college scholarship and ultimately join Henry on the gridiron every Sunday.
"Since I was 8 or so, I wanted to be the first player with one arm to play in the NFL," Wagner said. "That's already been done (by Griffin) so now I want to be the first offensive player with one arm to play in the league."
He's got no college offers yet, but Wagner has faith. He doesn't see playing at a small school or being from a small town of 900 residents as an impediment. Quite the opposite.
"First off, I love my school," he said. "I love that it's K-through-12 and that we're all joined so closely. As far as not being seen or noticed, I've always believed if you're good enough, they'll find you."
Kayleb Wagner led Baker to a FHSAA 1A title in 2020, its fifth title overall but first in 27 years.
File photo by Matthew Christopher
