A dream season continued for
Baker (Fla.) junior
Kayleb Wagner, the inspirational, record-setting running back, who Sunday was hosted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and met Tennessee Titans' running back Derrick Henry.
On Sept. 17, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder broke Henry's Florida single-game high school rushing record by going for 535 yards on 25 carries and six touchdowns in a 49-48 home win over South Walton (Santa Rosa Beach). Henry had the previous mark of 502 yards on 45 carries for
Yulee (Fla.) in 2012.
Henry reached out to Wagner on Instagram the following Monday to congratulate him and Sunday the two met face-to-face before the Titans at Jaguars AFC South tilt.
"He congratulated me again, told me to keep working hard and that he was proud of me," Wagner told MaxPreps on Monday.
Henry told CBS reporters Tom McCarthy and Tiki Barber that he "loved" meeting Wagner, and that he's an "inspiration." Wagner 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.
"He can run that rock," Henry said of Wagner. "Once he breaks that line, he's out. I'm happy to be able to meet him (in person) and to get to talk and visit with him a little bit. I wish him the best. … Records are meant to be broken."
Kayleb Wagner (left) and Derrick Henry pose before Sunday's Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game.
Courtesy of Kayleb Wagner
It was a whirlwind weekend for Wagner, who rushed for 211 yards and a touchdown Friday in a 35-6 win over Jay, giving him a state-best 1,562 yards (10th in the nation) for the 5-0 Gators, the defending 1A state champs.
He attended the school's homecoming dance on Saturday and immediately afterward, Baker coach Matt Brunson and his wife Polly drove Wagner and teammate
Jared Raybon drove to Jacksonville, a 320-mile jaunt along the Florida panhandle.
"We left about 11:30 (p.m.) and got there about 5," Wagner said. "I got some sleep in the car."
Henry supplied Wagner four tickets, and the Jaguars added 10 more which were divided between teammates and family. The Jaguars also presented Wagner with a custom Jacksonville jersey, featuring his number 2 and name, along with a pair of truly nifty teal and gold cleats, sporting his name and record-breaking statistics.
Wagner said he'll treasure the jersey and cleats by keeping them in a shadow box.
"It was all just a magical experience, that's for sure," Wagner said. "It's something I'm never ever going to forget."
Henry put a bow on the entire day, by rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-19 Tennessee win.
Wagner admits that neither the Titans or Jaguars are his favorite team — "I'm more of a Baltimore guy," he said — but he definitely roots for Henry, who holds the national prep career rushing mark of 12,124 yards and state single-season record of 4,261 yards all set at Yulee, 24 miles north of Jacksonville.
The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year leads the league in rushing (640 yards) and rushing touchdowns (seven).
"I just love the fact that he's so dominant," Wagner said of Henry. "Regardless of the level or what's in front of him, he's going to get his yards."
Kayleb Wagner needed 25 carries to rush for a state-record 535 yards and six touchdowns Sept. 17 against South Walton.
Photo by Matthew Christoper
