DLS safety will participate in NFL Draft Day
Sherman hopes to have his name called one day
Warren De La Salle Collegiate senior Kandakai Sherman Jr. thought he was in trouble recently when he got a text from Pilots head football coach Dan Rohn telling him to come to his office immediately.
“I was sitting in class and I got the text and it had an exclamation point so I knew it was something important,” Sherman said. “The whole time I was walking to his office I was thinking of all of the things he could be calling me down for.
“I thought I was in trouble.”
Rohn called his all-state safety from the Pilots’ Division 2 state runner-up team to his office to tell him he had an opportunity to participate in the NFL first-round draft experience which is happening in Detroit this week.
Sherman was chosen to be part of the New Era Hand the Cap & Nike Jersey Run, an opportunity for high school student-athletes to hand NFL prospects their hat for the team they are drafted by and run the player’s jersey to the commissioner or representative for an on-stage announcement.
“I was super excited,” Sherman said. “I’ve never been to a draft, I’ve never been to anything like this, so it is going to be really special.”
Sherman said he has not fashioned a mock draft in anticipation of this week’s event but does have thoughts about which player he thinks will be the top pick.
“I really have not been looking at the Lions because their first pick is later in the draft, but I think Caleb Williams from USC could go first overall and I think. Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State will be taken high up, too.
“I know a lot of people are talking about J.J. McCarthy and it would be nice to see a University of Michigan player go high in the draft.”
Sherman is set to play for Cornell University this fall where he plans to study global development. He views it as a great learning opportunity to be able to rub elbows with college players who are being drafted this year because he aspires to play in the NFL himself.
“I see myself as maybe being in their shoes one day so being around them to see what it takes to get there, see what they look like physically, I think it will be inspirational and change the way I look at football,” Sherman said.
He adds that growing up, he was an Alabama fan and appreciates the level of competition in SEC games.
“I love watching SEC games because they are so high intensity,” Sherman said. “I’m going to be in the room with people who really dedicate themselves to the game; it will be a learning experience.”
Sherman will wear his De La Salle Pilots football jersey during the NFL Draft event, which was viewed by more than 55 million people last year.
“My dad was so excited when I told him, I think it is the biggest I’ve ever seen him smile,” Sherman said. “My family is very excited and very happy.”
Rohn called Sherman an all-around role model and praised his commitment on the gridiron and in the classroom.
“Kandakai represents everything we expect and demand from our student athletes at De La Salle,” Rohn said. “I am excited for him and this incredible opportunity to participate in the draft.”
Chris Fritzsching, executive director of football education for the Detroit Lions, said the NFL Draft Day Experience is very unique, not only because it’s being held in Detroit, but because Sherman will be one of only six Michigan high school football student-athletes to participate in the New Era Hand the Cap & Nike Jersey Run.
“Observing all the moving parts, all the roles that are played on the stage, off the stage, in front of the camera and behind the camera, Kandakai will be able to witness it all, up close and personal,” Fritzsching said.
Sherman is set to appear between 7 p.m. and midnight on Thursday, April 25.
“Yeah, I’m really excited,” Sherman said. “This is life-changing.”