A Vikings Fan’s Viewing Guide to CFB: Wake Forest’s Chase for a Title
Josh Frey
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Just like the NFL season is fast approaching, we are nearing the day where college football teams will arrive on campus and begin their own preseason work. As a self-proclaimed NFL Draft nerd, I get almost as excited for the college football season as I do for the NFL season. Because of that, I am putting together guides for many of the notable college football programs ahead of the 2022 season. Whether you’re a seasoned college football viewer, or just getting into it for the first time, there is something here for everyone. After a week spent covering some of the top contenders in the AAC, it’s time to head out east and talk about the ACC. First on the list is championship-hopeful the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
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Overview
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have been a program stuck in mediocrity for their entire existence. From 1908-2020 the program had never cracked the top 10 in the AP Poll, and their only 10-plus win season came in 2006 when they went 11-3 and lost in the Orange Bowl.
That all changed in 2021 as they changed the tides of the program in Dave Clawson’s eighth season as the head coach. Wake Forest went 11-3, earned a #10 ranking during the season, and won the Gator Bowl versus Rutgers. It was their first appearance in the bowl since they beat South Carolina in 1946; the first year of the bowl’s existence. With Sam Hartman back under center at QB and some intriguing new defensive weapons, Wake Forest looks ready to compete once again in 2022. Will they finally capture that elusive ACC title, though?
2022 NFL Draft Prospects
- G Zach Tom, Round 4, Pick 140, Green Bay Packers
- CB Ja’Sir Taylor, Round 6, Pick 214, Los Angeles Chargers
Notable Transfers In
- DT Kobie Turner (Richmond)
- LB Eldrick Robinson (Georgia Southern)
- LB Chelen Garnes (Navy)
- S Brendon Harris (Vanderbilt)
Notable Transfers Out
- QB Billy Edwards (Maryland)
- RB Christian Beal-Smith (South Carolina)
- RB Ahmani Marshall (Appalachian State)
- LB D.J. Taylor (Bowling Green)
2022 Schedule
- 9/1 vs. VMI
- 9/10 @ Vanderbilt
- 9/17 vs. Liberty
- 9/24 vs. Clemson
- 10/1 @ Florida State
- 10/8 vs. Army
- 10/22 vs. Boston College
- 10/29 @ Louisville
- 11/5 @ NC State
- 11/12 vs. North Carolina
- 11/19 vs. Syracuse
- 11/26 @ Duke
Keys to 2022
Staying Consistent on Offense
The Demon Deacons had one of the most explosive offenses in FBS during the 2021 season, but heading into 2022, they lost their leading rusher, Christian Beal-Smith to South Carolina. They also lost redshirt sophomore Ahmani Marshall to Appalachian State from their backfield. This means it’s time for the duo of Christian Turner and Justice Ellison to step up. They seem more than ready to do so as they totaled 1047 yards on the ground last year.
As for the passing game, Sam Hartman is one of the more anticipated QB prospects in the 2023 draft class. He threw for over 4000 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2021, but there is still a long way to go before he is viewed in the same light as that of C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young.
The numbers on the surface look great, but down the stretch of the 2021 season he completed less than 50% of his passes in games against UNC, NC State, and Pittsburgh. Ultimately, his four interceptions in that ACC Championship Game is a big reason why the Deacon Demons lost to Pittsburgh, and he will need to improve his clutch play if the program hopes to compete this year.
Plugging the Holes in the Defense
While 41 points per game on the offensive side of the ball is great, Wake Forest also needs to stop shooting itself in the foot with horrible defense. Hartman was terrible against Pittsburgh in the ACC title game, but the defense also gave up 45 points. The unit gave up 40+ points five times, including 56 points to Army and 58 points to UNC.
The linebacker group doesn’t bring anything special to the table as it seems they will run it back with the duo of Ryan Smenda Jr. and Chase Jones. However, they have added some depth to the group with transfers Eldrick Robinson and Chelen Garnes. These two will need to help the group hold down the second level of the defense.
Wake Forest also brings back defensive end Rondell Bothroyd. The star pass rusher had seven sacks on the year and looks to finally get All-ACC recognition in 2022 before likely heading for the NFL Draft next spring. There’s certainly been improvement on the defensive side of the ball since Clawson took over the program, but there needs to be further growth for this team to compete in a reloaded ACC.
My “Purple Player to Watch”
With the University of Richmond, Kobie Turner was an All-American at the FCS level. This success made him one of the most coveted transfer athletes in the entire country, and Wake Forest landed him. Turner now gets a chance to prove he can carry over the production from the FCS over to FBS and turn around a program that allowed nearly 200 rushing yards per game in 2021.
If he is able to do this, the Minnesota Vikings need to have their eyes on Turner ahead of the 2023 draft. Turner is a big body at 6’3, 290 pounds that can be thrown in the middle of the defensive line and make plays. Over three years at Richmond, he recorded 15 sacks and 18.5 TFLs.
We all know how badly the Vikings have struggled at stopping the run during recent years. The tide finally seems to be turning in Minnesota, but if this trend of poor defense continues, Turner should be looked at as an option next April.
