The moment the Clemson cap touched Wyatt's head, the reactions were not long in coming, some with total excitement while others made a face upon seeing that he had not chosen the university they thought.
While that was happening, the journalists who had come to see the event raised their hands in a frenetic manner seeking to obtain answers about Wyatt's choice of university.
"One at a time, one at a time please," said the reporter who tried to keep the situation under control while she pointed to one of the hands that had been raised, yielding the floor to the reporter in question.
"Wyatt, here from ESPNU, could you tell us what encouraged you to choose Clemson having several other options?" asked the reporter, wanting to know the reasons behind Wyatt's choice in choosing Clemson over other powers like Alabama and Georgia.
Moving closer to the microphone, Wyatt responded, "Mainly because of the challenge it entails; I know Clemson has been having great seasons but they are not yet considered a consolidated power in football, and I hope to change that in the years I will play for them," Wyatt finished saying with a smile toward all the reporters.
"Wyatt, here from Fox Sports, don't you think your decision was due to the fact that Clemson competes in the ACC, a lower level than the SEC where the level of confrontation is higher?" another reporter quickly interrupted, wanting to generate controversy about Wyatt's decision.
In the face of that, a thundering silence formed in the entire auditorium with the gazes of all those present on the player who was in front of the microphone, who had kept silent processing the question they had asked him and choosing his words wisely.
Wyatt knew that this reporter was looking to generate a scoop, so he had to choose his words with care without seeking to offend anyone. "The SEC is the dream of every player and being able to play in that conference is also an honor; of course I felt tempted to go there, for a reason two of my visits were to universities that play in that conference," Wyatt began with a compliment before continuing with his next words.
"But I must also weigh my options as a player and I believe that the development plan for my career presented to me by Coach Dabo Swinney along with Chad Morris fits more with what I am looking for as a player," Wyatt began his explanation. "Besides, the ACC is also one of the big four conferences and counts with giants like Florida State and Miami, apart from Clemson, of course," Wyatt finished saying with a joke hoping to lighten the atmosphere.
Something that seems to have worked since the journalists laughed briefly at that before raising their hands again waiting for their turn to ask their questions, so pointing to one in the corner, Wyatt yielded the floor.
"I am a reporter from the Houston Chronicle," the journalist began, showing his credentials. "My question is about whether you chose your university not for the conference they belong to, why not stay at home and play for the University of Texas?" the journalist inquired, causing the journalists to immediately pay more attention to the words Wyatt was about to say in that moment.
And that was a delicate question in a state like Texas where football was a religion; the majority of students from here preferred to play at the University of Texas or at A&M. That a player like Wyatt, who on top of everything was the best recruit in the country, opted to go play in South Carolina could be considered an offense.
"First of all, it is nothing against the Aggies or the Longhorns, but the consideration was due to external factors and philosophies of both teams; of the Longhorns I don't need to say that the departure of Mack Brown was an important factor, I respect above all his trajectory but I don't know who will succeed him so I discarded them," while Wyatt gave his explanations the reporters did not waste time and wrote quickly in their notebooks, fearful of missing some of the words Wyatt said. "And A&M, being honest, I am and always will be a fan of the Longhorns," Wyatt finished saying while he placed a hand over his head and made two horns over his head.
Having answered the question with the best diplomacy possible, Wyatt already felt tired of the reporters' questions, but seeing that there were still hands raised in his direction, he chose one at random hoping to finish this as quickly as possible.
"Here from CBS," a reporter said with a polite smile. "Wyatt, you chose Clemson but they already have Tajh Boyd, who has already been on the team for 4 years and said he will not enter the draft until 2014; do you believe you can obtain playing minutes or will you opt to use your first year as a redshirt and manage to gain more experience and play in 2014?" she launched her question in direction toward the boy in front of her.
"Thank you for your question, and the truth is that while I respect everything Boyd has done for Clemson, I am not going there just to be a backup or opt for a year without playing; I am going there to get the starting position from day one," Wyatt said forcefully toward the journalists, who remained briefly blank at that because until now that had been a response the journalists did not expect.
Because of how the interview had gone, they already thought Wyatt was a rational and friendly person who did not seek to generate controversy around him, but with that response he broke the image the reporters had, revealing a new side of him.
"I know it will be something difficult but that is also why I opted for early graduation and thus be able to participate with the Tigers team in the physical preparation for next season, while I learn the playbook that I will probably receive in a few hours by mail," Wyatt finished saying, catching the reporters with their guard down.
None of them knew that Wyatt Sterling had opted for early graduation and that he would join his team in January; most thought he would arrive in South Carolina at the end of August or beginning of September like most recruits.
But that single detail changed everything; after all, in that way Wyatt would have nearly 8 months of advantage compared to the other players of his class, that would allow him to arrive with better physical preparation for next season and perhaps maybe allow him to start from game 1.
"Any other questions?" Wyatt asked, but seeing no more hands raised, it seemed the press conference had officially come to an end and the person in charge of the broadcast also made signs toward the cameramen, turning off the transmission and returning to the study.
"And there you have it, it seems Sterling will play for the Clemson Tigers next season, putting an end to the discussion about which team he will go to," said the deep and forceful voice of Lee Corso to all the viewers who continued watching the football broadcast in that moment.
"A shame that we cannot continue seeing him play in Texas," said a voice in lament belonging to Charles Arbuckle, who as a good Texan was pained that one of his great players was leaving there to play.
"These are things that happen Charles, besides do not discard anything, after all it is not known where he will play as a professional," added Lee Corso, generating more expectation and excitement from all the Texans who were watching the broadcast in that moment.
And what Lee Corso said was not without foundation; after all, Texas had two professional NFL teams, the Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys, and nobody knew how things would go in 3 years, so there was still an opportunity.
On the other hand in Texas, as soon as Wyatt got down from the stand, he let out all the air he didn't know he had been holding, relieved that the interview had finally reached its end and heading directly toward the 2 people who were in a corner.
"What a surprise you gave us there, sweetheart," Wyatt's mother said, drawing him toward her and hugging him tightly, not wanting to let go despite her son's protests.
"Leave him, Elena, you are suffocating him," said the man next to Elena, who was wearing his police uniform along with a badge that said Captain. "Shut up, Ed, our son is leaving soon and who knows how much time will pass until we see him," Elena said in direction toward her husband, who wisely decided not to say anything more.
"So Clemson, huh," Ed said in direction toward his son, who was able to breathe normally again once he was released from his mother's arms. "Yes," was Wyatt's only response to his father, as both were men of few words.
"It's a good program," Ed nodded toward Wyatt, agreeing with the decision his son had made about where to play. "Will you be okay alone?" was Ed's next question and the one that worried him most.
South Carolina was on the other side of the country and 4 hours away on a regular flight, which meant they would not be able to see Wyatt as often as they would like.
"Since I wanted to be a professional I knew this would happen eventually," Wyatt responded, knowing the sacrifices that would come with becoming a professional football player.
That response along with the serious look his son gave him made Ed's worries vanish and a slight trace of pride crossed his gaze, nodding in direction toward his son.
After that, Elena could not let the occasion escape. "We have to take a photo," she said quickly while she approached a student and handed them her cell phone so they could take a photo of the three of them to commemorate the moment.
Once ready, the three of them posed, with Wyatt in the middle of both and with his hands on the shoulders of both and the Clemson cap on his head framing the moment.
Without wasting time, Wyatt asked his mother to send him the photo and the moment he received it he opened Instagram and uploaded the photo along with the following message:
"One stage closes and another opens. I have no words to thank all the people who were with me on this 4-year journey in which we knew how to dominate and overcome our rivals; also a special thanks to the coach for his training and excited to continue being a Tiger but of a different fur @Katytigers @Clemsonfb @ncaa 🐯"
Once that message was published, the reactions of the netizens were not long in coming, posting their messages under the publication:
Clemsonfb: Proud to get the best prospect of 2013 and counting the days to see him play at Memorial Stadium.
Texasfan: Traitor! You call yourself a Longhorns fan but you choose to go to Carolina.
User1023: That is absurd, he is free to go to any team he wants, not just because he is from Texas must he go to the Longhorns.
Adam Taylor: Let's go friend! I hope we meet again in a Bowl.
Seeing that the messages were arriving in quick sequence to his phone, Wyatt decided to silence Instagram, concentrating on what followed since the principal was going to deliver his graduation diploma to him shortly.
In that, he hears his cell phone ring and, puzzled, looks at the unknown number and curious, decides to accept the call. "Hello?" Wyatt asked toward the caller. "Wyatt, boy, this is Dabo Swinney speaking to you," said a mature voice from the other side of the phone. "Coach," said Wyatt, recovering quickly and greeting his future coach.
"HAHAHA boy, let me tell you that you made the right decision, with you on the team we are going to storm the league," Dabo said from the phone. "Thank you for your words, coach," Wyatt thanked. "Shortly we will send you the playbook so I want you to start studying it and I will see you after the Under Armour game; until then take care, boy," he said, letting Wyatt know the reason for his call. "Understood, coach," Wyatt said, to then hang up the call.
In that moment, the principal went up to the stand to say a few more words making emphasis on Wyatt's career with the Katy Tigers and the expectations he had for him, to then deliver his diploma, ending his stage in high school.
As for Wyatt, thousands of thoughts crossed his mind: his career at Clemson, the challenges that await him, but that only generated more excitement and expectation about the future that awaits him.
Authors thought's
What did you think of today's chapter? Give me your opinions and thoughts.
Regarding Blaire, I've decided she will enter college in 2014. This means she and Wyatt will only have a 1 or 2-year age gap.
Don't forget to subscribe to my Patreon to get more than 10 chapters in advance! https://www.patreon.com/c/merchant17
For everyone subscribing to my Patreon: if you're using an iPhone, avoid doing it through the app! Apple charges a commission, and you'll end up paying more. It's better to subscribe through the website instead.