Wake Forest Athletics
Deacon Sports Xtra: Garnes Feels Family-Oriented Culture at Wake Forest
10/5/2021 9:57:00 AM | Football
“The camaraderie is great and I love it at Wake Forest.” - Chelen Garnes
Navy transfer defensive back Chelen Garnes was the first one on the field to celebrate with freshman cornerback Caelen Carson after he reeled in a fourth quarter interception against Virginia, cementing a 40-23 Wake Forest victory over Virginia last season.
"After all the hard work I saw him put in since his early years at North Point, I was just so happy to see that happen," said Garnes, who was sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules. "I was so excited."
Though they had different paths to Wake Forest, Garnes and Carson were teammates at North Point High School (Waldorf, MD) where they first captured the attention of Wake Forest defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill.
"Two North Point boys from the same city?" Garnes said. "It was crazy how that worked out. It was like it was destined. In high school, we were always together. He's like my little brother, so it was cool that we've gotten back together.
"Coach Hemphill just liked both of us, I guess."
Garnes played in all 13 games as a freshman for an 11-win Navy team in 2019, grabbing 11 tackles to go along with two interceptions.
"The Naval Academy is obviously military oriented and extremely structured," Garnes said. "Just coming to a regular college was different, with all the freedom. I had to learn to manage my time, for school and football. Being a student-athlete, you have to take care of school first.
"The transition has definitely been a good one. I got to Winston-Salem late in the summer last year. I couldn't play last year, but I did a lot of lifting and speed training. I just got to know my teammates. They're all my brothers now after being through last year with them, which was hard. The camaraderie is great and I love it at Wake Forest."
The family-oriented culture within the Wake Forest Football program has impressed Garnes, and it started before he even committed.
"When I got here, I felt like I was one of them right away," he said. "They were teaching me plays off to the side. I was able to jump into a great big family. It's great.
"Sam (Hartman) hit me up before I even committed. He reached out to me and spoke with my family. He helped me the most. He really took me under my wing, teaching me about Wake Forest and being on this team."
The connection to Wake Forest fourth-year junior linebacker Ryan Smenda goes back much further.
"We played little league together," Smenda said with a smile. "My parents were in the military, so we moved a lot. When my dad saw his name on social media, he looked him up and told me about him.
"Chelen is a baller. He's come in and busted his tail, and that's what we're looking for. He's going to contribute a lot this year."
Garnes is likely to be a player who moves around the field often this season for Hemphill's defense.
"I don't want to say I have a home," Garnes said. "I'm a versatile player. I can play strong safety, free safety and on our dime package I play like a BUCK linebacker. There's a lot of different places for me, so it's kind of cool. You should be able to make a play at any spot on the field. You learn the defense as a whole.
"I bring a lot of energy and I'm a team player. I like to make plays and celebrate with my teammates. I just can't wait to play with fans again. I've been here a year and haven't played yet."
After being on the bench last season, Garnes was excited to participate with his new teammates and play in front of the crowds at Truist Field.
"It was hard, I'm not going to lie," Garnes said about sitting out last season. "Caelen was a freshman going in and was kind of wide-eyed sometimes. So I would talk with him and try to help him. I was happy to be with the guys. Now when I go out there, we're even more connected.
Garnes' versatility has shown up during Wake Forest's first five games as the defensive back has tallied nine tackles (six solo), a tackle-for-loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup.
As Wake Forest continues their journey of going from "good to great" this season, Garnes is confident the Deacs possess the necessary pieces to take the next step during the final six games of the season.
"Everybody knows their jobs, and we have the athletes and camaraderie. It's just playing together, playing fast, making plays and creating turnovers."
"After all the hard work I saw him put in since his early years at North Point, I was just so happy to see that happen," said Garnes, who was sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules. "I was so excited."
Though they had different paths to Wake Forest, Garnes and Carson were teammates at North Point High School (Waldorf, MD) where they first captured the attention of Wake Forest defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill.
"Two North Point boys from the same city?" Garnes said. "It was crazy how that worked out. It was like it was destined. In high school, we were always together. He's like my little brother, so it was cool that we've gotten back together.
"Coach Hemphill just liked both of us, I guess."
Garnes played in all 13 games as a freshman for an 11-win Navy team in 2019, grabbing 11 tackles to go along with two interceptions.
"The Naval Academy is obviously military oriented and extremely structured," Garnes said. "Just coming to a regular college was different, with all the freedom. I had to learn to manage my time, for school and football. Being a student-athlete, you have to take care of school first.
"The transition has definitely been a good one. I got to Winston-Salem late in the summer last year. I couldn't play last year, but I did a lot of lifting and speed training. I just got to know my teammates. They're all my brothers now after being through last year with them, which was hard. The camaraderie is great and I love it at Wake Forest."
The family-oriented culture within the Wake Forest Football program has impressed Garnes, and it started before he even committed.
"When I got here, I felt like I was one of them right away," he said. "They were teaching me plays off to the side. I was able to jump into a great big family. It's great.
"Sam (Hartman) hit me up before I even committed. He reached out to me and spoke with my family. He helped me the most. He really took me under my wing, teaching me about Wake Forest and being on this team."
The connection to Wake Forest fourth-year junior linebacker Ryan Smenda goes back much further.
"We played little league together," Smenda said with a smile. "My parents were in the military, so we moved a lot. When my dad saw his name on social media, he looked him up and told me about him.
"Chelen is a baller. He's come in and busted his tail, and that's what we're looking for. He's going to contribute a lot this year."
Garnes is likely to be a player who moves around the field often this season for Hemphill's defense.
"I don't want to say I have a home," Garnes said. "I'm a versatile player. I can play strong safety, free safety and on our dime package I play like a BUCK linebacker. There's a lot of different places for me, so it's kind of cool. You should be able to make a play at any spot on the field. You learn the defense as a whole.
"I bring a lot of energy and I'm a team player. I like to make plays and celebrate with my teammates. I just can't wait to play with fans again. I've been here a year and haven't played yet."
After being on the bench last season, Garnes was excited to participate with his new teammates and play in front of the crowds at Truist Field.
"It was hard, I'm not going to lie," Garnes said about sitting out last season. "Caelen was a freshman going in and was kind of wide-eyed sometimes. So I would talk with him and try to help him. I was happy to be with the guys. Now when I go out there, we're even more connected.
Garnes' versatility has shown up during Wake Forest's first five games as the defensive back has tallied nine tackles (six solo), a tackle-for-loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup.
As Wake Forest continues their journey of going from "good to great" this season, Garnes is confident the Deacs possess the necessary pieces to take the next step during the final six games of the season.
"Everybody knows their jobs, and we have the athletes and camaraderie. It's just playing together, playing fast, making plays and creating turnovers."
Players Mentioned
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