CLEARWATER- You probably know Countryside senior Kee Whetzel for his heart stopping blitzes, ruthless hits, breathtaking playmaking ability and sheer brilliance on the football field.

But there’s always a backstory behind the great ones. Whetzel’s story is no different.

While most kids first memories are of joy Whetzel’s was of suffering.

“At four years old I vividly remember being in and out of foster homes in the projects with my brothers,” Whetzel said. “I never knew my real dad and all my four of brothers had different dads. My mom also had severe drug problems. Life was tough to say the least.”

But fate intervened and saved Whetzel from the wretches of despair. Whetzel found his guiding light.

“At age five Karla and Wayne Whetzel adopted me and my four brothers,” Whetzel said. “Those two people were the best thing that ever happened to me. I don’t know where we’d be in life without them.”

To Whetzel, his first love wasn’t a girl, it was the game of football. He’d been introduced to the game by watching Steelers games on television with his dad, Wayne. Whetzel started attending Bucs games in the sixth grade. He became enamored with the sport and envisioned himself out there someday.

Whetzel and the game of football were a divine match.

“The game came naturally to me, and I loved it,” Whetzel said. “I became serious about becoming great in 9th grade. At the beginning of tenth grade, I got pulled up to varsity. That’s when I knew I could play this game as my future. I saw football as a way out.’’

Whetzel morphed into a 6-foot-3, 170-pound long, athletic and versatile specimen. He towered most of the kids, was ripped from head to toe and physically looked the part. He was a naturally raw talent but needed some fine-tuning.

As is the case with most stars, there’s always a driving force. That’s where his mentor Mark Coriaty came in. Coriaty began training Whetzel and instilled in Whetzel that if he wanted to achieve his dream, he had to put in the work.

“When I first met Coriaty he told me if I wanted to play Div.1 and go to the NFL I had to get serious and outwork the competition,” Whetzel said. “Since that day I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept in. I’m up at 7:30 every day. We do ladders, beach runs on the soft sand, lift weights, cone drills, and rope drills. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without his support.”

The hard work paid off. Last year Whetzel emerged as a widely recognized force to be reckoned with. At the safety and linebacker positions he notched 59 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In the rivalry game against touted East Lake, a team undefeated vs. Pinellas County teams the past two seasons, Whetzel made his presence known.

Whetzel was the brightest star on display and tallied three tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. When star running back Dante Satcher went down with an injury, Whetzel picked up the team. In three games he racked up 341 rushing yards, 102 receiving yards, averaged 7 yards a carry with 3 TD’s. He can simply do it all.

Just to build his stamina and stay in shape, Whetzel ran track and reached the region finals for the 330m hurdles, 110 hurdles, and the triple jump. He also plans to play basketball this season just for fun. He’s arguably the most versatile football player and best all around athlete in the county. But coming into this season Whetzel had one goal on the mind.

“I told my trainer Coriaty I wanted to be a man amongst boys this year,” Whetzel said.

Whetzel has sure proven that. In the spring game against Citrus Whetzel stood out and put Pinellas County on notice. Whetzel, nicknamed Optimus Prime, seemed the part. He was nearly unblockable off the edge with his 4.63 speed, dangling arms, and man strength. He tossed ball-carriers around like rag dolls and was a man possessed. By the end of the night, he tallied eight tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss.

Offensively he was such a dynamic playmaker that the only thing that could stop him was the clock. He finished with 130 all-purpose yards and one TD. On a two-point conversion, he evaded four defenders like child’s play and arched a strike for the score.

After the breathtaking performance colleges quickly took to offering. Whetzel racked up17 Div. 1 offers, the most notable from Indiana, USF, Iowa State, Louisville, Purdue, and Marshall. The senior’s preseason goals don’t appear to be lofty.

“I want to lead my team to the playoffs since we haven’t been in two years,” Whetzel said. “I want us to go perfect, be All-State and even an All-American.’’

But one touching life goal supersedes all others.

“My biological mom has never seen me physically play football,” Whetzel said. “She’s read clippings and seen videos since we’re friends on Facebook, but never in person. When I turn 18 this December, she’s allowed to see me. My dream is for her to be in the stands of the state championship. If that doesn’t happen, I hope to one day play in front of her at the Div.1 level or in an NFL stadium someday.”

With Whetzel’s tough background, you’d never know it. He’s a warm-hearted kid with a contagious smile and gregarious personality. The kid who enjoys endless trips to Disney World. The kid who retakes classes in the summer to ensure his Div. 1 goal isn’t derailed. The type of kid who spends some his free time coaching his younger brother Josiah’s junior Cougars football team.

But most importantly, the kid who’s risen above his past and grateful for what he has.

“My past has motivated to be successful in life,” Whetzel said. “My older brothers have been in and out of jail. I’ve seen the absolute worst. But I believe everything happens for a reason, and it’s all part of God’s plan. I live in a house with all four of my brothers and never had my own room. I share a room with my brother Deondre. But I actually enjoy it.”

“I’m forever thankful and blessed to have my parents in my life. They’ve done everything for me, and I know I’m extremely fortunate. Since I’ve been adopted, one of my main life goals is to adopt kids of my own some day. I want to play at TCU and make the NFL so I can have my parents live with me in a big house and support my family through the game of football.”

Whetzel plans to play out his season and make his final college decision close to or on National Signing Day in February.

Whetzel was forced to take the road less traveled in life but has blazed his own path toward a bright future.

— By: Lynden Ostrander

Lynden Ostrander is the Pinellas County Correspondent for the Tampa Tribune and a special events contributor for Big County Preps.