Give Merit’s FATE Draft Day 2026 took place on July 26 at Merit Park in Detroit. Presented by Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the event honored graduating high school seniors who were members of Give Merit’s FATE program, which offers mentorship and preparation for life after high school. Structured similarly to the NFL Draft, graduates were celebrated for their post-high school plans, which included paths to college, skilled trades, the military, and more. For complete details about Give Merit’s FATE program, visit givemerit.org/pages/fate.
FATE Draft Day Graduates: Karlin Abner, Dha’kiyah Ali, Messiah Bethel, Christian Brock, Makayla Burnette, Tony Crawford, Briana Cutler, William Edwards Jr.
Gabrielle Prater, Micah Shumake, Victoria Prater
Greg Finley, Veronica Johnson, Eugene Foy
Hailea Haddon, Brenda La Vigne
James Smith and Linda Ware-Smith, Island and Regina Phillips, Chevelle and Derrick Roman, Essence and Glenn Wilson
James Smith, Chevelle Roman
Jared Goff speaks with Brad Galli
Jared Goff with the FATE Draft Day Graduates
John and Liz Szambelan
Jonathan Merritt, Brad Galli
Karla Franklin, Dejon McFarland
WDIV’s Kim DeGiulio speaks with Jared Goff
Lauren and Tom Smith
Lee Wisne, Mason Wisne, Madelyn Wisne, Jerett Vezinau
Linda Ware-Smith, Derrick Roman
Malcolm and Kennedy Rodriguez
Mercury Audio Video Lighting: Faris Goryoka, Ben Heavenrich, Tom VanRiper, Paul Friedmanm, Sam Beebe, Hugh Holesome, Donell Hall
Michael Levey, Bishop Andrew Merritt, Rodney Prater
Pastor Viveca and Bishop Andrew Merritt
Penei and Isabelle Sewell with their son, Christen and Jared Goff, Kennedy and Malcolm Rodriguez
Peyton McFarland, Karlin Abner, Christian Brock
Puja Parekh, Kellie Kucik
Quiana Jenkins, Joshua Jenkins, Briana Cutler
Randy Dickow, Peter Jankowski, Rita and Anthony Tomey, Brian Loussia
