Kayden Forbes, Alex Hernandez and Connor Knapp spent the past four years building a bond on the football field at West Ottawa.
Hernandez blocked for Forbes and Knapp, who each relied on each other as offensive playmakers.
They will rely on each other for another four years.
Forbes, Hernandez and Knapp all committed to play football at Wayne State, an NCAA Division II program in Detroit, next year.
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“This opportunity means a lot to me because playing college football has always been a dream, and being part of the GLIAC makes it even more special,” Knapp said. “It’s also exciting to know that I’ll be playing alongside two of my high school teammates, Alex Hernandez and Kayden Forbes, at Wayne State. When I switched to quarterback my junior year, Kayden and I developed a strong bond, and we both shared the goal of playing together in college. Even though I’ve switched back to wide receiver, we both still wanted to make that happen. Over the years, I’ve also formed a great relationship with Alex, and when I found out he’d be joining us at Wayne State, we were all thrilled. Having my high school teammates at the same school gives me a sense of comfort, knowing I won’t be alone. That’s something that really means a lot to me.”
Forbes was a first-team all-state running back as a junior, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and leading the Panthers to the playoffs. This year, he missed some time with injury and rushed for 600 yards and was all-state honorable mention.
“When I first came on a visit the staff and players immediately were so nice to me and I had the feeling of this being my home. Along with their head coach Tyrone Wheatley having the experience as a elite running back gives me the hope that he can take me under his wing and get me to get me to the best possible level I can,” Forbes said. Going there with a teammate gives me the comfort of going to college and not being completely alone along with I have someone by my side who understands my goals and will ensure I’m on the right track for that.”
Knapp started his season as the starting quarterback for the Panthers, but after three games, moved to wide receiver, which looks to be his college position, and he was an all-area and all-conference selection.
“I chose Wayne State for a few key reasons. First, I saw it as a great opportunity to play in the GLIAC, which I believe is the best conference in Division II,” Knapp said. “I also built a strong relationship with Coach JD during the recruiting process. (The coaches) share values that align with mine, and they were always honest and straightforward with me. The location of the school, in Metro Detroit, was another major draw. When I visited, I immediately felt like it was a place I could see myself playing.”
Hernandez was an all-area offensive lineman.
“I choose to commit there for a few reasons, one I really like the environment there, it was very welcoming, and it just spoke to me, I also loved the feel of their athletic facilities it just kind of reminded me of home in a way. Not to mention teammates are going there as well so that was also a big help in deciding,” Hernandez said. “And this opportunity to me is amazing, I have always wanted to go and play college football and now that I have the opportunity to do so is just unreal to me, being able to go with teammates is so amazing, it will help me accommodate to being away from home, I’m sure.”
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.   

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