DELRAY BEACH – Kalem Michel is quietly making major moves in his college recruiting process.

Just a few days after his senior season ended at American Heritage (Delray Beach), the 6-foot-2, 265-pound lineman received a preferred walk-on offer to Florida State. This occurred on Monday morning (Nov. 30)

Our No. 2-ranked defensive tackle in Palm Beach County broke down his breakthrough situation.

“Honestly this is really big for me,” Michel said of his Monday morning moment. “Coach [Carlos] Locklyn sent a message on Twitter telling me to hit him up, so I did. I called him and he introduced himself to me. He asked if I was interested in a walk-on, and I said yes. He told me to call him. So I did, and he offer me a preferred walk-on.”

Michel, who also has offers from Bates College, Millsaps College, Ave Maria, and St. Thomas, played both ways this past season. He spent a relatively equal amount of time on the defensive and offensive lines for American Heritage, which finished with a 4-4 record and berth in the Class 4A-Region 4 finals last week against Cardinal Gibbons.

Michel (No. 24 overall player right now in Palm Beach County) went on to recap his senior season with the Stallions.

“It had its ups and its downs,” Michel said. “When Coach [Brian] Sheridan died, it really motivated me to do things the way he would do things. I had to help my team going both ways, which changed my perspective from only going one way during a game. When I wasn’t able to do things, I knew my fellow seniors and teammates would be there to bail me out. Overall this was one of my best years at American Heritage, and I will not forget it.”

PHOTO CREDITS: Mike Hall