The gravity of the situation wasn’t lost on veteran quarterback Carson Wentz this week.
Though he’s been focused on leading the Vikings to a win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium, Wentz took a moment to appreciate how his journey through the NFL has led him to this point.
“I grew up rooting for this team,” Wentz said. “I think running out of the tunnel this weekend will probably hit me a little bit different.”
Undated courtesy photo, circa Aug. 2007, of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz during his freshman year at Century High School in Bismarck, N.D. After a massive growth spurt as a teenager, Wentz saw his recruitment process pick up. (Courtesy of Century High School)
The full circle moment wouldn’t have been possible without a growth spurt Wentz experienced as a scrawny teenager at Century High School in Bismarck, N.D. He stood 5-foot-8 as a freshman and might have weighed 125 pounds, depending on what he ate for breakfast.
Not exactly the makeup of an NFL franchise quarterback.
“I just remember praying,” Wentz said. “I’d be like, ‘God, if we get me to 6 feet, that would be terrific.’”
Those prayers were answered in a big way. Not only did Wentz sprout to 6-foot-5 as a senior, he filled out and weighed just north of 200 pounds by the time he enrolled at North Dakota State.
“It was a wild time,” Wentz said. “Those growing pains were real.”
Asked for his perspective on the growth spurt, older brother Zach Wentz recalled how they grew up competing against each other at pretty much everything, adding he knew his younger brother had a chance to be a really good athlete if his body cooperated.
“It was always a matter of, ‘Is he going to grow? Is he going to be big enough? Is he going to be blessed with that part of it?’” Zach said. “It was fun to see it all come together for him.”
The progression for Wentz saw him grow to 5-foot-10 as a sophomore, to 6-3 as a junior, to 6-5 as a senior. As he rapidly grew into his frame, Wentz caught the attention of longtime Century football coach Ron Wingenbach.
Undated courtesy photo, circa Aug. 2010, of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz during his senior year at Century High School in Bismarck, N.D. After a massive growth spurt as a teenager, Wentz saw his recruitment process pick up. (Courtesy of Century High School)
“It was unbelievable,” Wingenbach said. “It seemed like he got taller and taller every time I saw him.”
His stature allowed for an easy transition when Wentz stepped in at quarterback as a senior. He led Century on a playoff run, which ended with a heartbreaking loss to Fargo South in the state semifinal.
“There were a lot of factors that came into play with him that allowed us to do some stuff that maybe we couldn’t do before that,” Wingenbach said. “We already knew he had the ability to throw the ball. We were also able to incorporate his ability to run the ball. We knew he could handle all of it.”
After he came up short of a state championship on the gridiron, Wentz was working out in the weight room when longtime Century basketball coach Darin Mattern convinced him to take his talents to the hardwood.
Never mind that Wentz had never played the sport at the varsity level. As far as Mattern was concerned, Wentz’s combination of size and strength would more than make up for his of experience.
“I knew we could use him,” Mattern said. “I told him to visit with his parents and talk about it. He got back to me and told me he was going to try it. He ended up being incredible for us.”
The physical presence Wentz brought to the table was palpable. He was an incredible rebounder who cleaned the glass. He was also an elite defender usually tasked with taking away the best player on the other end of the court.
That was on display as Century went on a playoff run, which culminated with a close win over Bismarck in the state final. In the game, Wentz was tasked with guarding Dexter Werner — the North Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year who went on to start games for North Dakota State — and held the star forward to just 14 points.
“Honestly, he might’ve been the only kid in the state of North Dakota that was going to attempt to guard him,” Mattern said. “He had that mindset where he wouldn’t back down from any challenge.”
That’s something Wentz has carried with him ever since.
After starring himself at North Dakota State, Wentz was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s also taken snaps for the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs before ending up with the Vikings.
“He was kind of a late bloomer,” Wingenbach said. “He was a very very good high school football player. Would I have projected him to be in the NFL? No, probably not.”
As he reflected on his time working with Wentz nearly 15 years ago, Wingenbach referenced the growth spurt once again. He cited a conversation with then North Dakota State quarterbacks coach Brent Vigen.
“He made the comment, ‘The young Wentz kid could have some NFL potential if he continues to work,’” Wingenbach said. “He was certainly correct about that, knowing everything we know now.”
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