SPRING HILL, Tenn. (BVM) — In recent years, there have been multiple sets of twins to play football at the collegiate level, such as the Pounceys at Florida or the McCourtys at Rutgers. In the not so distant future, the Wades will be added to that list.

Destin and Keaten Wade play at Summit High School in Spring Hill, Tenn. and are both highly touted recruits. They are ranked tenth and fourth respectively in the state for the 2022 recruiting class according to Rivals. 

Keaten is listed as an outside linebacker, but is also a running back while Destin is the Spartan’s quarterback and free safety.

Before all of the spotlight came on the football field, the special bond that they have was developed at an early age, being tight-knit throughout their childhood.

“It was pretty unique having a built-in best friend right next to you,” Keaten said. “You don’t have to go ask a friend down the street if they want to play basketball when there’s already a friend right here to one-v-one.”

The Wade twins grew up playing just about every sport they could and always on the same team.

“It was good having a twin brother by your side competing,” Destin said.

The talent from the two stood out early on, helping lead their little league team to a 6U national championship title in Knoxville. 

As they have gotten older, their relationship is as strong as it’s ever been, being attached at the hip. The twins are always together whether it is going to events or just shopping and going out to eat.

“It’s a pretty good relationship off the field and we pride ourselves in getting to know God,” Destin said.

The chemistry that Destin and Keaten possess has naturally transitioned to the football field, which developed at home by just going up against one another in their backyard. 

“My first football memory would probably be playing with him everyday,” Keaten said.

Now at the high school level, the twins push one another on the field to be their best.

“I just want to be better when he’s going off and playing a good game and that just makes me boost up my game,” Keaten said. “Whichever one does a certain thing, we just want to one up each other.”

“We know where each other are gonna be,” Destin said. “If I’m having a good game on the field, I think he’ll up his level of play, we both will. Just trying to make the team win as a whole. I think our chemistry is pretty great.”

The link between them has led to individual success along with team success. As sophomores in 2019, Keaten finished with 103 tackles and over 1,100 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns on the ground, while Destin had over 1,300 passing yards and 27 total touchdowns. Summit High School made it all the way to the 5A State Championship game, but lost 30-7.

They were able to repeat their success on the field for their junior season despite Keaten missing significant time with a foot injury.

“It’s been tough not being able to play with him on the field,” Destin told Grant Bricker of Williamson Home Page in November. “I think he’ll be healing up soon, but overall some of our players have stepped up. He’s a big contribution to our team on offense and on defense, so missing a player like that really takes away from your team.

Destin ramped up his play in Keaten’s absence with over 2,800 total yards and 37 touchdowns leading the Spartans to a 9-1 record and a number one seed for the postseason. By then Keaten was healthy enough for Summit’s playoff run, which led to them avenging last year’s loss and winning the state championship.

“All the hard work you do in the offseason, it just pays off,” Keaten said. “To know that God is with you and believes in you and everybody believes in you, it feels good to have that.”

“We worked hard during the offseason and just put in all that hard work and just to see it pay off is really exciting,” Destin said.

Throughout back-to-back years of stellar play from the Wade twins, they attracted the attention  of some of the biggest college football programs in the country.

It became a reality for Destin and Keaten when they received their first offer together from the University of Kentucky.

“Experiencing and going up for a visit and being in the same room while that happened was pretty cool and it was a real-life experience,” Destin said.

Destin and Keaten released their top nine schools on Feb. 9 with a few differences in school preferences, but the expectation is that the twins wind up on the same campus.

Thank you God 👆🏾!
Blessed to have this opportunity!Recruitment is still 100% open!!!#Top9 ✨✨ pic.twitter.com/533CRIwFkp

— Keaten Wade (@KeatenWade) February 9, 2021

“I don’t see why there is a reason to stop now,” Keaten said. “It would be a great experience to play with him the next four years.”

Top 9⚠️… (recruitment still open) Thank you God for your blessings.☝🏾 pic.twitter.com/W0fz8ZWHGz

— Destin Wade (@Destinwade1) February 9, 2021

Destin and Keaten are making sure to not get ahead of themselves and still have many goals that they want to achieve before college such as getting back to the state championship, helping out in their community and building on their relationship with God.

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